CDL license discussions

toyota231

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 22, 2005
Location
Kernersville NC
frankenyoter said:
Must be free and if so I’ll take it! Studying for CDL now.
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Sucks because you can't just take the test anymore, have to to go to a trucking school to be able to get any CDL. Law passed back in March.

I've driven the truck, actually runs out good for an older truck, sounds good with straight pipes on the old formula 350 Cummins, but it takes a real outlaw driver to appreciate it, this is not flip flop, headphone, freightliner driver approved lol. I'll tell Riddle to get on here and post a price, he stays real busy running his business so he doesn't get on here everyday.
 
braxton357 said:
Maybe for a mega company to hire you but this isn't true, you can still get any cdl you want without going to a school.
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No sir you cannot. It is a federal mandate that went into effect. You cannot simply go to the DMV and take the required tests anymore no matter what size carrier you work for. You have to go to a FMCSA approved "trainer" to obtain the proper hours to obtain a Class A or Class B CDL. It's called the ELDT program and requires that all new CDL holders, and those upgrading to a higher CDL to do so, and is specifically designed to take the load off of the state DMV and put to where the federal government over sees everything. I confirmed through multiple NC DMV locations when I renewed my CDL of 16 years in May. A new CDL applicant or one looking to upgrade cannot simply go to the DMV and take the tests, you have to have the proper certificate from an FMCSA approved source before obtaining a CDL. Info is easily available through many sources, and I did a lot of due diligence to make sure this info is correct, at least by the sources that handle this exact subject.
 
toyota231 said:
No sir you cannot. It is a federal mandate that went into effect. You cannot simply go to the DMV and take the required tests anymore no matter what size carrier you work for. You have to go to a FMCSA approved "trainer" to obtain the proper hours to obtain a Class A or Class B CDL. It's called the ELDT program and requires that all new CDL holders, and those upgrading to a higher CDL to do so, and is specifically designed to take the load off of the state DMV and put to where the federal government over sees everything. I confirmed through multiple NC DMV locations when I renewed my CDL of 16 years in May. A new CDL applicant or one looking to upgrade cannot simply go to the DMV and take the tests, you have to have the proper certificate from an FMCSA approved source before obtaining a CDL. Info is easily available through many sources, and I did a lot of due diligence to make sure this info is correct, at least by the sources that handle this exact subject.
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You're correct eldt was proposed and supposed to start in spring oftof year, but it was postponed for two years. So as of now, February 7th 2022
 
braxton357 said:
You're correct eldt was proposed and supposed to start in spring oftof year, but it was postponed for two years. So as of now, February 7th 2022
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Actually the final rule was put into effect on its 3/5/2020 date, the compliance is what was postponed simply so they could get all the computer crap up and going and so all the "trainer" info can be straightened out.. While I completely understand it should not be used right now, it doesn't change the fact that the NC DMV is going by this rule as of 3/5, at least the 4 different DMV's (and the Raleigh home office) I spoke to that do the actual on road test for CDL, and countless new driver's I've spoke to (including multiple people that owned businesses that obtained a truck and needed a CDL for themselves, one of which was simply upgrading from B to A) have told me they simply could not walk into the DMV and go through the old procedures of computer test, provisional for 14 days, and road test, they were made to go to an approved school or "trainer", which in NC is no different, for the on road driving driving hours and skills book time. Whether or not it's supposed to be in complete effect, the NC DMV is the only go to for your license so you are at the mercy of how they handle things. It may be wrong and it may be different at other DMV license locations, I'm just sharing the information and experience from many different people I've talked to and can only go off of the info from the literal single entity available for us when dealing with license.

If there is a DMV that is not going by these rules in the triad area please let me know. I'll hopefully be venturing on my own into a couple trucks in the next month and need to get a driver his class A without all the bullshit. Otherwise I have no choice but to go by the info I've obtained and have to waist the time on sending my buddy to a damn school that he doesn't need to waste time going to.
 
toyota231 said:
Actually the final rule was put into effect on its 3/5/2020 date, the compliance is what was postponed simply so they could get all the computer crap up and going and so all the "trainer" info can be straightened out.. While I completely understand it should not be used right now, it doesn't change the fact that the NC DMV is going by this rule as of 3/5, at least the 4 different DMV's (and the Raleigh home office) I spoke to that do the actual on road test for CDL, and countless new driver's I've spoke to (including multiple people that owned businesses that obtained a truck and needed a CDL for themselves, one of which was simply upgrading from B to A) have told me they simply could not walk into the DMV and go through the old procedures of computer test, provisional for 14 days, and road test, they were made to go to an approved school or "trainer", which in NC is no different, for the on road driving driving hours and skills book time. Whether or not it's supposed to be in complete effect, the NC DMV is the only go to for your license so you are at the mercy of how they handle things. It may be wrong and it may be different at other DMV license locations, I'm just sharing the information and experience from many different people I've talked to and can only go off of the info from the literal single entity available for us when dealing with license.

If there is a DMV that is not going by these rules in the triad area please let me know. I'll hopefully be venturing on my own into a couple trucks in the next month and need to get a driver his class A without all the bullshit. Otherwise I have no choice but to go by the info I've obtained and have to waist the time on sending my buddy to a damn school that he doesn't need to waste time going to.
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If you want to get it done quick, schedule an appt to take the knowledge test at a nearby dmv that's still open, pass the test, wait 14 days, then call a trans tech near you and set up a 3rd party on road skills test--you can probably take the test the next day.

: Edit: just called the Statesville cdl skills test DMV office he said there's no such restriction they are just backed up 3+ weeks currently.
 
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braxton357 said:
If you want to get it done quick, schedule an appt to take the knowledge test at a nearby dmv that's still open, pass the test, wait 14 days, then call a trans tech near you and set up a 3rd party on road skills test--you can probably take the test the next day.

: Edit: just called the Statesville cdl skills test DMV office he said there's no such restriction they are just backed up 3+ weeks currently.
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Well, shit! Last I heard you just needed to make an appointment with DMV. Only New thing I have heard, was If you take the driving test in an Automatic, That's what your licensed. You can Not drive a straight drive, unless you take the road test in a straight drive. There's hardly anyone left that can drive a Stick, anymore.
 
rodney eppes said:
Well, shit! Last I heard you just needed to make an appointment with DMV. Only New thing I have heard, was If you take the driving test in an Automatic, That's what your licensed. You can Not drive a straight drive, unless you take the road test in a straight drive. There's hardly anyone left that can drive a Stick, anymore.
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when I went to school to get my CDL's we had three trucks, and not one was an auto. Had to double clutch and match the RPM's on all of them.
 
rodney eppes said:
Well, shit! Last I heard you just needed to make an appointment with DMV. Only New thing I have heard, was If you take the driving test in an Automatic, That's what your licensed. You can Not drive a straight drive, unless you take the road test in a straight drive. There's hardly anyone left that can drive a Stick, anymore.
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There are several restrictions, the main ones are air brake, manual transmission and tractor trailer. If you don't road test in a manual air brake semi/trailer then you will have a limited class a. Then there are the endorsements like Doubles, hazmat, passenger carrying vehicle.
 
Been driving a long time, even drove for big company’s. Never even had a cdl. You’ll never need one to you get pulled over. So maybe I’m a outlaw but I’m a gear jammer.
 
Years ago I met a city cop in my pops tandem freightshaker dumptruck and I was loaded heavy with #57 rock and haulin balls. I got on the binders way too hard as I was meeting him. A more or less wave came over the cab protector and rained down on the city kitties hood and knocked out his winshield lol. I figured not having a CDL was going to be an issue. He pulled me and had another officer show up and fill out a wreck report. No one said anything about licence or anything and just got my insurance info and let me roll. Pops got pulled a few weeks later by DMV in same truck without CDLs, speeding, overweight, and no fuel sticker. DMV officer escorted him back to the barn so no tow bill but he got 6k worth of tickets and fines. It really matters who pulls you methinks. We both have class A now and he drives west coast turn around, I just keep mine for a back up plan.
 
Glad I didn't let mine go. When I moved here from FL, I had a Class B, air brakes and passenger as I drove a bus for the mouse. The DMV upgraded me to a Class A with my air brakes and passenger endorsements. I debated then letting it go but I didn't. You never know when you might need one.
 
Is a non CDL class A license still an option? I have a non CDL B now but one of my trailers is rated at more than 10k.

Duane
 
Bumping this back up, just wanting to confirm that the ELDT ruling was extended until FEBRUARY 7 2022 and that I can still get a cdl without going through a whole class or school?


braxton357 said:
If you want to get it done quick, schedule an appt to take the knowledge test at a nearby dmv that's still open, pass the test, wait 14 days, then call a trans tech near you and set up a 3rd party on road skills test--you can probably take the test the next day.
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Extension of Compliance Date for Entry-Level Driver Training | FMCSA

ACTION: Interim final rule with request for comment. SUMMARY: FMCSA is amending its December 8, 2016, final rule, "Minimum Training Requirements for Entry-Level Commercial Motor Vehicle Operators" (ELDT final rule), by extending the compliance date for the rule from February 7, 2020, to February...
www.fmcsa.dot.gov www.fmcsa.dot.gov

www.trans-tech.net

CDL License Testing North Carolina - TransTech

We provide CDL testing and truck driver training for a Class A driver's license. Our course adheres to all requirements set by the DOT and the NCDMV.
www.trans-tech.net www.trans-tech.net
 
My Renewal comes up in May. I got worried about When I could get an appointment? I haven't even gotten a Notice this year, which they use to send 3 - 4 months early. Called Raleigh, & got someone to answer the phone! Very pleasant lady set me up at my Local office, for April 27th.. Wow, Thanks! I had already checked my local office, & they are open Only, by appointment.
 
rodney eppes said:
My Renewal comes up in May. I got worried about When I could get an appointment? I haven't even gotten a Notice this year, which they use to send 3 - 4 months early. Called Raleigh, & got someone to answer the phone! Very pleasant lady set me up at my Local office, for April 27th.. Wow, Thanks! I had already checked my local office, & they are open Only, by appointment.
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Not that I would chance it, but while Ol Roy has NC in a state of emergency due to covid, Cdl expirations don't matter. After the state of emergency is lifted, you have 30 days.
 
braxton357 said:
Not that I would chance it, but while Ol Roy has NC in a state of emergency due to covid, Cdl expirations don't matter. After the state of emergency is lifted, you have 30 days.
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CDL being so Stringent on everything, I doubted the Covid exemptions applied. But even before Covid, I think it took an appointment to get a CDL or renewal. Unless you care to chance waiting hours in line. Probably 10 -15 years back, I Had an appointment, for renewal, and was there at my appointed time. Some officer told me they couldn't take me that day. They Only certified officer, had been delayed on one of the tester's, & it was time for him to Clock out! I Mean Damn, it's just a renewal! Any one there can give an eye test & sign test! They rescheduled me, but I was Pissed! And still Am!
 
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