Does anyone have a CDL?

Does anyone have a CDL here? I have had one since 2009. I got it because I was working in Oil and Gas and it was a startup company and we got the chance to wear as many hats as we wanted. I haven't used it in 10 years but it's a point of pride to have it so I keep it. 
The only bad part for me is the need to keep a DOT physical up. My physical is due in a couple weeks so I need to get it or I need to file for a A3 restriction , that means I could only drive in state. I'm fine with that but I wonder if I move is it harder to get that restriction removed. 
 

I know that's a pretty specific and obscure question but if anyone can help it's the hive. 

I'm working on getting mine back right now. I can't answer your specific question but I'll say this: Just going by all the red tape and bull e36m3 associated with this process, I'd get the physical and not upset the bureaucratic mess. You never know, you might want to drive out of state sometime.

In reply to NermalSnert (Forum Supporter) :

That is the only thing making me think I should keep it. It is hard to get the license and I don't want to jeopardize anything. 

What makes you not qualified to pass the physical?  I don't want to know your medical conditions or anything, but it seems nothing used to drive a truck can't be fixed.

2.)  IF you are unsafe to drive, why will they allow you to drive within State?

Don't give anything up.  I haven't used mine regularly in about 10 years also but they keep making everything more difficult to get if you let anything go.  I feel like a unrestricted license is just something that is good to have.

In reply to 914Driver :

Nothing, I will pass it with no issues. It's $150 and it has to be done every 2 years. I don't use it at all and if I did start using it I would certainly be using it in state either delivering tractors or running heavy wrecker. The only possibility I would ever have to use it out of state is if I move. I don't see anything about removing the A3 restriction, it looks like just pass a physical and you are good but I'm not sure??? I have lots of friends that have put themselves on that restriction. Just to avoid the hassle. Funny thing is everyone that has it says do it, everyone that has kept their DOT physical up says they never will. 

Got it thanx.  I don't need an FAA physical to fly sailplanes, but I got one for flying power.  I let it pass because I didn't pursue it.  

If you can make more than $75/year as a driver, why not just keep it?  As we age and they keep making it more difficult, I believe I'd keep it.

I have a class b and hazmat that I use once a year for fireworks show. I agree with the above, keep the endorsements, you worked for em, keeping em keeps your options open. I haven't had a bike for 20 years but I've kept that endorsement as well. Ya never know.

I just got a fresh DOT physical for my CDL done about two weeks ago. I went to my local CVS where they have a Minute Clinic. Real nice nurse practitioner had me in and out real quick, at 119 dollars. Might save you a few bucks if you have one in your area.

Yes, I have a CDL that I haven't used in more than 20 yrs.  I'm down to "in-state" only restriction and I've lost my haz endorsement.  

Quick answer, "keep it all if you can."

Here's some interesting tidbits.  To get a haz now requires a background check and I think it requires a road test as well as the written test.  Road test because you are required to stop at all RR crossings, etc.

These days, if you test in an automatic trans truck you only get certified for auto trans.  To get manual trans you have to road test in manual trans

As others have said; $75 a year is cheap to keep that certification. I have to have one for work even though I haven't driven a semi in at least ten years and I've never driven one professionally. I had some digger/derricks at my old company so I got one and have kept it alive ever since.

Wow, sounds like Britain with the stick endorsements.

In Tennessee this is for HazMat: https://www.tn.gov/safety/driver-services/commercial-driver-license/hazmat.html

I have one. Have needed it off and on for previous jobs. I just change my driver status at the DMV to 'intrastate' when I am not using it, no DOT physical required. If I end up needing it again, I'll get the physical and change my status back to 'non-exempt interstate'.

How hard is it to get one?  I need to do it 

karplus2 said:

I have one. Have needed it off and on for previous jobs. I just change my driver status at the DMV to 'intrastate' when I am not using it, no DOT physical required. If I end up needing it again, I'll get the physical and change my status back to 'non-exempt interstate'.

That is basically the question. If I claim intrastate then they put an A3 restriction on your CDL, still have it but can't leave the state. The path to removing the restriction just doesn't seem to be clearly laid out. If it is simply go get a DOT physical and bring it to the DMV then I'm done with DOT physicals for now (still keeping my CDL with all my endorsements, just adding the intrastate restriction). If it is some other shenanigans then I'll keep jumping through the hoop. 

In reply to SKJSS (formerly Klayfish) :

The best way to do it is to go to a small tech collage that offers the course. It will be far cheaper than a "CDL Driving School" They will have a punch list of things you'll need to do. Not that hard. I drove OTR 20 years ago but I'm still having to go through this class. Edit: The school usually road tests and pretrip tests in house with their own trucks.

In reply to SKJSS (formerly Klayfish) :

In NY now it is pretty tough unless you go to a truck driving school. I have countless friends that have failed the test. They are super nitpicky now on the pre-trip and there is a skills test before you even get to your road test. I would say it's also hard for most people because you need to find a truck to practice on and a license driver to take you driving. I was lucky that my company had a truck for me and I had several friends with CDL's that didn't mind riding with me as I practiced. 

In reply to SKJSS (formerly Klayfish) :

You live in GA. 

There's an exemption to keep the CDL in NY without a physical.  Unfortunately in my experience with a number of coworkers is that most DMV people don't understand the rules so you end up going in person and talking to a supervisor.   If you want to go bsck to interstate driving it should ne simply a matter of getting a medical card, going to the DMV and getting the restriction removed.  
 

Our agency gives all our drivers a 19A physical that the state requires for bus drivers.  The state doesn't recognize it as a DOT physical for the purpose of keeping our CDLs so anyone that doesn't want to pay for an additional outside physical has to go and argue for a restricted license.

In reply to Wally (Forum Supporter) :

Nailed it 100%
Havent had time to type that much, in response to the under informed answers. So thank you. 

Michigan here.  I do nothing to maintain my CDL, intrastate only.  However if I want to legally drive again a physical is needed.  

Side note I learned to drive in an old truck by an old driver.  I was under the impression that I needed to know how to double clutch down shift which was a real pain in my truck.  Clutchless shifting up and down was a breeze, also under the impression that I would have to test in my truck.  Turns out I tested in the driving school truck, it was a five speed with full syncros and shifted like a Honda.   The instructor told me to go through the first yellow light we came to, before he could get it out I had down shifted two gears and slowed to a stop.  "Oh you know how to drive a manual" he said.

NY Nick said:

karplus2 said:

I have one. Have needed it off and on for previous jobs. I just change my driver status at the DMV to 'intrastate' when I am not using it, no DOT physical required. If I end up needing it again, I'll get the physical and change my status back to 'non-exempt interstate'.

That is basically the question. If I claim intrastate then they put an A3 restriction on your CDL, still have it but can't leave the state. The path to removing the restriction just doesn't seem to be clearly laid out. If it is simply go get a DOT physical and bring it to the DMV then I'm done with DOT physicals for now (still keeping my CDL with all my endorsements, just adding the intrastate restriction). If it is some other shenanigans then I'll keep jumping through the hoop. 

I have done this a couple times switching between jobs that required a CDL/didn't. In Illinois, to switch back to interstate, all I had to do was go get my DOT physical, take it into the DMV and tell them I wanted to switch back to non-exempt interstate. It was super easy. Not sure how other states do it.

I learned about all of this because I almost lost my CDL. I didn't realize that I couldn't let my DOT lapse, even if I wasn't actively driving a CDL vehicle. I went to change my driver's license address after moving to a new house and the very friendly lady at the DMV counter said 'Your DOT physical expires tomorrow, you will loose your CDL if you don't provide your physical tomorrow'. I told her that I didn't drive at the moment but I wanted to keep my CDL which is when she informed me how to switch delcarations. I was relieved because if I had lost it, it would have meant starting over from square 1 to re-obtain it. 

In NY:  How many pound of ammunition or explosives can be carried on a school bus?

In reply to 914Driver :

I do remember that greater than 500 POUNDS of flammables requires a flammable placard and therefore stopping at RR crossings.  Yes, pounds, not gallons which then if hauling paint or liquids requires an understanding of specific gravity to determine the weight.