Who has their Class A CDL?

[JJZ 109]

I've had a CDL since before they were called that. In New York state a tractor trailer license used to be Class 1. I was lucky in that I had the Class 1 permit when a road construction outfit hired me at around age 20. They let me practice on company time and provided the truck for the road test. Also had tank and haz mat endorsements back then as I would occasionally haul tanks with about 6,000 gallons of hot tar in them. I've since let the haz mat endorsement go. I didn't use the license much for many years due having a career that didn't require it, but I kept the license. Now that I'm retired from that career, I drive part time for a US Mail contractor hauling from a hub office to outlying local offices. Moral of the story - after you get your license, keep paying whatever extra it costs at renewal time and hang onto it. You never know when it'll come in handy in the future.

 

[Looking4new]

but I kept the license. Now that I'm retired from that career, I drive part time for a US Mail contractor hauling from a hub office to outlying local offices. Moral of the story - after you get your license, keep paying whatever extra it costs at renewal time and hang onto it. You never know when it'll come in handy in the future.

And whatever you do in life do Not do anything that will jeopardize your license.

 

[Copperhead]

The one downside to having a CDL is how violations are handled. A typical auto license, and one can get a couple of serious (15 mph over for instance) type of violations and just rack up points and maybe have to attend a class. If one gets the same thing, and they have a CDL, the CDL license is suspended for 6 months if one gets two serious violations in a year. One would have to go thru the process of having the CDL reinstated after the 6 months. And there are other little goodies that the powers that be can get folks on with a CDL, even when only driving their own personal vehicle. There are always little strings attached to anything that government has control over.

 

[bdog]

The one downside to having a CDL is how violations are handled. A typical auto license, and one can get a couple of serious (15 mph over for instance) type of violations and just rack up points and maybe have to attend a class. If one gets the same thing, and they have a CDL, the CDL license is suspended for 6 months if one gets two serious violations in a year. One would have to go thru the process of having the CDL reinstated after the 6 months. And there are other little goodies that the powers that be can get folks on with a CDL, even when only driving their own personal vehicle. There are always little strings attached to anything that government has control over.

This is true. Another big thing is you can no longer take defensive driving to get rid of a ticket. I have received several speeding tickets over the years prior to getting my CDL and none of them are on my record because I have always taken defensive driving. Like I said earlier though I don't think it is that bad and has made me be a safer driver overall. Yes I drive a little slower now but that is probably safer and gets me better fuel mileage to boot.

 

[Diamondpilot]

This is true. Another big thing is you can no longer take defensive driving to get rid of a ticket. I have received several speeding tickets over the years prior to getting my CDL and none of them are on my record because I have always taken defensive driving. Like I said earlier though I don't think it is that bad and has made me be a safer driver overall. Yes I drive a little slower now but that is probably safer and gets me better fuel mileage to boot.

Or carry alcohol in your vehicle.

Chris

 

[bdog]

Or carry alcohol in your vehicle.

Chris

You can not carry alcoholic beverages in a commercial vehicle even if unopened, locked away, etc does not matter. The only way you can carry alcohol in a commercial vehicle is if it is part of your manifest like you are driving the budweiser truck. However just having a CDL does not not prohibit you from carrying unopened alcohol in a private vehicle.

 

[tcartwri]

I've had my D since I was 20, and then got my A ten years ago on what is now considered a restricted combination. Basically an F series ford with a gooseneck. The law changed shortly after I got the A and I was grandfathered as a full class A. I still have not driven a full 53 footer, but I have the license for it....

And for you southern folks, in Canada any trailer over 10,000 lbs requires an A except for RV's and boat trailers. We do not have drug testing either thank god.

 

[Diamondpilot]

You can not carry alcoholic beverages in a commercial vehicle even if unopened, locked away, etc does not matter. The only way you can carry alcohol in a commercial vehicle is if it is part of your manifest like you are driving the budweiser truck. However just having a CDL does not not prohibit you from carrying unopened alcohol in a private vehicle.

Correct, but many people on this site are looking to do so with their 3/4 or 1 Ton Truck. It then gets into DOT inspection, ect.

Just something to think about.

Chris

 

[FredH]

Pretty Much like Copperhead . Run my Own truck , Live in Southern Oregon and go to L.A. to start week , then back to tacoma area on wednesday or thursday morning and back home thursday night or early friday morning . Dropped Hazmat a few years back , not so much the $$$ , Just the B.S. on fingerprinting since there is or was ?? only 3 places to get it done in the entire state .

Not sure who wrote it before above some were , but also quit going to Canada not because of Their border people , But the F'in U.S. people coming back . Flippin' jerks can pound sand as far as I am concerned . It is a Livin' , I treat it as a Business , not a joy ride . No fancy flippin chrome or other B.S. . Was taught by my Dad , who drove for 45 years but had to go through the B.S. of a school back in the '90's since I dorked around and let it lapse .

My Dad and His first Truck , Miss The Old Guy Very Much .




Fred H.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Correct, but many people on this site are looking to do so with their 3/4 or 1 Ton Truck. It then gets into DOT inspection, ect.

Just something to think about.

Chris

Then there is the BAC limit even if in your personal vehilcle.