Military--> Civilian trucker!

Check with your home state DMV . Every state I know of will not expire you license while you are out of the state in military service . I don't know how this works on CDL's . Some states will accept the military experience and will not require you to be tested . Florida is one . http://www.flhsmv.gov/ddl/militarydrivers.html

 

I am almost in the same boat as you. I will retire in 2010 and I drove before the Army. I let my CDL lapse and will have to attend training to get it back. Since you drive for the military (Army 88M?) you should be able to take your military drivers license down to the DMV with you DD214 and get your CDL back. You might be able to do it before getting out but you'll have to ask them what paperwork they need. I am not an 88M so I have to go to a school or get training with a company, since not all military licenses transfer over to CDL.

LB

 

I do not have the answer to your question. However, I would like to take this opportunity to THANK YOU for serving in the US Army.

 

I did mine years ago so the laws may have changed but I took my military license to the DMV and had to take the written exams. They gave me a letter for the command to sign so I could waiver the road test. That was in Maryland and it was 1986 or so. You'll have to check with you state.

 

Congrats on your escape. I went through training with two military truck drivers when I started (Army and Air Force). Some states, like Florida, will allow you to transfer your relative military experience over to get your license without testing for it. You'll just have to check with your home DMV. Now, most companies that I have seen, and have been told the same, will not accept your military experience as over-the-road experience. So you'll have to either take a refresher coarse on your own, or find a company with sponsored training. Either way, you'll be treated as an inexperienced driver by most companies. It sucks, but I haven't seen anything different. One of the above mentioned military drivers said he had over 200k miles of tractor-trailer (combat and stateside combined) and no company would accept it. Best of luck, dude!

 

Thank You!

 

I know that's the way it used to be. The last time I looked it up, you had to have a driving job in the Army (88M) and be licensed on the same type equipment to do this, but it still can be done. Unfortunately for me, I have only been licensed up to 13 ton PLS systems with tanker trailers, not up to 18 wheelers or HETs since I joined up and I am not in a driving job all the time.

From the sound of it DannyRingo may still be able to get his CDL back without training but I am stuck having to back trough school.

 

You might want to check out Colorado while you're at it and get one while you're there if it's easiest. Besides if your command has to sign anything it can all be done there too, you can always transfer your license to AL after you get out.