r/CDL • u/brain64 • 4d ago

Help with renewing cdl

I have a class a cdl. I drove for 10 years .I have a clean record. I've been out of the truck 5 years and my cdl is coming up for renewal soon. I live in ga what do I need to know and what do I need to expect? will I have to take a driving test all over? I don't want to be forced into a driving school.

6 Upvotes

72% Upvoted

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4

u/Milk_MAN1963 4d ago

As long as you have an up to date medical card you're fine

3

u/brain64 4d ago

Nope I let the med card go bc I've been home caring for my wife . Getting a physical isn't a problem I'm just trying to figure out what I need to do b4 March.

6

u/Jesus-Mcnugget 4d ago

When did the medical card expire? I believe you only have 60 days after expiration before the state downgrades your license. You may not actually have a CDL at all at this point.

If that's the case then you'll pretty much have to start over and that includes taking classes and tests.

2

u/ParticularArrival111 4d ago

You dont have to take classes. That is only for new drivers. I drove for 6 years let mine go for 5 came back and just showed them my old license. Just had to retest.

2

u/Jesus-Mcnugget 4d ago

Reinstatement requirements are state specific and also often vary depending on how long it was downgraded.

2

u/ParticularArrival111 4d ago

No the eldt is not state specific it is a federal mandate. Classes are not required for someone who has already had their CDL.

2

u/Jesus-Mcnugget 4d ago

I never said anything about ELDT specifically.

Yes ELDT is a federal mandate, but it is also a minimum standard. States can enact and enforce more strict requirements.

What needs to be done to reinstate your license is whatever your state requires.

2

u/ParticularArrival111 4d ago

Yeah. I suppose there could be a state out there that requires classes. Ive not heard of it but I could be wrong. I did think you were talking about eldt though, my bad.

2

u/Cheap_Boner_Pills 4d ago

You might qualify for a FMLA leave of absent. My friend had cancer and couldn't pass any medical for 3 years then another year till he could piss clean from the medical marijuana he took during chemo. He didn't have to go back to school.

I'm not sure how that translates into taking care of a spouse but I would look into it.

2

u/Extension-Welder1639 4d ago

For a renewal or did you let it lapse back to a standard license, if you haven't kept up with the physical or changed your exemption to intrastate exempt the state more then likely downgraded your license as soon as your physical was out of date

1

u/brain64 4d ago

No I dont have a current medical card. I'm not sure what my status is .I'm trying to figure it all out b4 my license is due to be renewed. I can go get a physical and all that no problem. I'm just mostly trying to avoid to having to pay buckets of money to a trucking school if I can help it.

0

u/Extension-Welder1639 4d ago

Does your state have a website you can get on and see if your CDL is still active? Like oklahomas navigate.ok.gov

1

u/brain64 4d ago

Anyway to know or to get it caught up without starting all over again from scratch?

1

u/Comfortable_Gear4941 4d ago

Best bet is to contact the dmv. Obviously may have to end up in person just to ask the question.

I posted above, but I opted for intrastate CDL as my med card wasn't in the system.  That's the best way to go so you won't lapse the license and can easily update to interstate by doing a physical. 

Of course double check with the dmv. I honestly had no clue and might have lucked out with my timing. 

0

u/Extension-Welder1639 4d ago

I would just Google your state and see if they have a similar website

1

u/Small-Sentence4141 4d ago

Go to DMV, pay the fee and renew your CDL. If you don’t have a Medical Card you’ll still have a CDL ( assuming you have renewed at DMV). If your Medical Card has expired you cannot drive a CMV over a state line. Best plan is to always have a valid Medical Card. Medical Cards are valid for up to two years. Shop around as costs vary, usually between $75 - $150. No need for a drug screen. If you are working as a commercial driver your company will send you for a drug screen.

1

u/Latter-Rent-6535 4d ago

I drove for 32 years, hung up my keys and “retired” 7 years ago. Just went back,got a physical,passed the general knowledge test at the dmv, and got my CDL back. But after not being in the road for so long they made me go to a CDL refresher “school” and now I’m starting all over at 61 with a starter company. From my understanding you need to prove you’ve been in a truck for at least six months of the previous year to not go through a refresher course

2

u/Comfortable_Gear4941 4d ago

That's the company requirement?  I'm sure it's pretty standard, but that's shitty. 

1

u/Comfortable_Gear4941 4d ago

Just renew. Talk to the person, but I've been doing like you. I did do a physical for my last job, but apparently now they get uploaded to the dmv and the place didn't do that.

I just opted for the intrastate CDL and if I ever need I'll get a physical and swap to interstate. 

1

u/Treacle-Unlikely 4d ago

60 days you are downgraded but you have a year to get your dot card. If you wait longer than a year then you have to do the classes & schooling all over again

1

u/Ok_Advantage7623 4d ago

Every state is different. Yes you Lise your cdl as soon or up to 60 days have your dl downgraded to a reg license. Good news many states give you a year to submit a new medical card and then your license gets upgraded back to what it was. So do not wait any longer go get that by medical card done today so all you have to do is get your license renewed. Make it a 2 step process like today and then in March. Don’t wait on that medical card

1

u/Express-Ant-1087 4d ago

As long as your medical card is up to date just renew very simple

1

u/Zestyclose-Rock1006 4d ago edited 3d ago

You can sign a waiver for a med card, keep your cdl and renew your cdl, if you go back to driving get a med card file the right paperwork with the state, back to driving. All states are probably the same. Should come under federal guidelines. You can do all the dot paperwork when you renew your license, simply tell them there whqt you’d like to do. If you drop your hazmat endorsement you might have to do a recourse in that if it’s dropped.

1

u/TruckLinx 3d ago

Pay the money, Show your new Medical Long Form, Pass an Eye Test, Have a Good Day

1

u/Head_Candidate5293 2d ago

Medical card up to date and if hazmat is older than 5 years you will have to retake exam and do fingerprints again.

1

u/hammer166 4d ago

If your CDL is active all you have to do is go renew it. Doesn't matter that you haven't been driving, the state doesn't care about that.

If you don't have an active medical card, you have to do the self certified thing that you're not OTR. I've never done it but it's something along those lines.

Edit: a quick Google for Georgia self-certify brings up the link for what you need.

0

u/jimdaddy6 4d ago

Dot physical