CDL License

rockytopman2 · Jun 24, 2008

I am licensed in GA with a class C license (not a CDL)good for single vehicle up to 26,000 lbs. I was planning to drive for Tri, but they will not accept my-State license. Problem, I have taken and passed the CDL general knowledge and the Hazmat written test. Today, I went to take my CDL roadtest and was refused because I will not be driving a vehicle of 26,001 lbs or more. Now my delimma, GA will not issue me a CDL Class "C" license account of the GVWR is under 26,001. Tri-State will not put me on account of no CDL. Any of you GA licensed drivers can give me any direction on this, please do.

pjjjjj · Jun 24, 2008

Can't you get a CDL even if you are just going to drive a car? It's just you will have to rent an over-26001Lb vehicle for your road test, right? So call a driver-training centre (school), and ask what the deal is for them to allow you to do the test in their vehicle. Here, they will charge you a minimum fee to 'evaluate' your driving, then they will allow you to use the truck for your test, they will drive you to the test in their truck.. maybe all totalled it might cost something like $400? Or do you perhaps know someone who would allow you to borrow their truck for the test (driving you to the test site, of course

?

jasonsprouse · Jun 24, 2008

What I gather is that you were not "driving" a CDL vehicle for the test, so they cannot give the test and issue a CDL.

When I got my first CDL, I went through a small private company that both rented the vehicles for the test and was certified by the state to give the test. I was taking the Class B, so I drove a retired (barely roadworthy) semi tractor with an automatic transmission.

arkjarhead · Jun 24, 2008

If I were you I would go ahead and get a Class B cdl. That way if you decide to move up to a straight truck later you will be ready to do so.

greg334 · Jun 24, 2008

rockytopman2 said:
was refused because I will not be driving a vehicle of 26,001 lbs or more.

I am not from GA, but from Michigan and I heard this once up here. Is there a requirement that is clearly in the GA laws saying that you can not have a CDL? I mean it don't matter what you are going to drive, it matters that you have a proper class vehicle for the test, in your case a class C is under 26k but over 10k (it is in Michigan) so I would ask them why are they concern with what you are going to do with the license and let them show you where that specific requirement is in the regulation or law.

Is this a third party testing place? if so call the state.

rockytopman2 · Jun 25, 2008

Thanks Greg for your reply. The 14' Box Truck I took for the test has a GVWR 14,050. The following is directly from the Georgia Commercial Drivers Manuel and is what they based their decision on:
"YOU MUST HAVE A CDL TO OPERATE"

"Any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more.
A trailer with a VWR of more that 10,000 pounds if the gross combination weight rating (GCWR) is 26,001 pounds or more.
A vehicle designed to transport 16 or more passengers or more.
Any size vehicle that is used to in the transportation of any material that requires hazardous materials placards or any quantity of a material listed as a select agent of toxin in 42 CFR 73. Fedral regulationns through the Department of Homeland Security require a background check and fingerprinting for the Hazardous Materials endorsement." It then goes on about how long it can take to complete the background check.

PalletJack · Jun 25, 2008

You will need a background investigation report. That will allow you to take the hazmat exam at the license bureau. Pass the 20 question hazmat test and they will give you a class C CDL with an H endorsement. With a class C you can drive your less than 26001 truck.

rockytopman2 · Jun 25, 2008

Thanx PalletJack. I have already passed the written HazMat test and applied for the background check. One question, will I still be required to complete the Skills (Driving) Test? The people at the Exam Center are very busy and it is nearly impossible to get any answers there. Thankx again for your reply.

Jack_Berry · Jun 25, 2008

i am sure a skills test will be needed before the state of ga lets you loose on the unsuspecting populace. you may need to have a cdl b owner rent a truck for you to test in. my local dmv only has 2 cdl tests a week. they claim private sources account for most cdl licenses.

PalletJack · Jun 25, 2008

RTM2 You'd be best to check with the license bureau rather than anyone on a forum. A cargo van or P/U truck should be all that's necessary if they require a road test. I'd bet that if you have a drivers license from the any state you live in, they will convert to a Class C CDL with the H endorsement. The CDL rules are written by the Feds and administered by the Stated and they all follow the Fed guidelines

warlordblee · Jun 30, 2008

Go to Ryder and rent a 24 ft straight truck, that should cover you for the test in most any state.

hondaking38 · Jun 30, 2008

michigan is different to get my class c license i had to get an endorsement such as hazmat, computers at secretary of state wouldnt recognise it without one, actually took the class c driving portion with my wifes grand am (go figure michigan)

windhoek11 · Jul 6, 2008

RockyTop,

I'm going for a class-C CDL with haz-mat endorsement. Try and go to a certified third party road tester who will give you both a pre-inspection and skills test. The class of your vehicle shouldn't matter. I met this kid (the tester) in the KFC parking lot last week, and he let me do the test in my station wagon! I pre-inspected my car, drove it around a little bit, and that was that. The tester just wanted me to pretend I was in a truck when I made certain maneuvers (such as backing-up and parking thru use of mirrors only) He asked me what I would do in certain scenarios (going up mountains, at railroad crossings, etc.) The DMV accepted the paper-work. I only have to take the haz-mat exam and wait for the final results of my background check. I don't know what they do in your state, but the DMV here in Wisconsin provides you with a list of third party CDL testers, and it is the law that those testers cannot charge more than $85. That's how much I paid the kid. Hopefully, your state has similar guidelines. If not, take your test in Wisconsin. Well good luck!

dhalltoyo · Jul 6, 2008

Come to Ohio.

CDL-C is a written test only.

I took the CDL-C exam and the Hazmat exam on the same day.

Once I was cleared via the background check, my Driver's License was upgraded to a CDL Class C with a Hazmat endorsement.

dhalltoyo · Jul 6, 2008

Classes of CDL licenses –Ohio Revised Code, Section 4506.12 (B)

The classes of CDL and the commercial motor vehicles that they authorize the operation of are as follows:

Class A – any combination of vehicles with a combined gross vehicle weight rating of twenty-six thousand one pounds or more, if the gross vehicle weight rating of the vehicle or vehicles being towed is in excess of ten thousand pounds.
Class B – any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of twenty-six thousand one pounds or more or any such vehicle towing a vehicle having a gross vehicle weight rating that is not in excess of ten thousand pounds.
Class C – any single vehicle, or combination of vehicles, that is not a Class A or Class B vehicle, but that is designed to transport sixteen or more passengers, including the driver, or is transporting hazardous materials in an amount requiring placarding, or any school bus with a gross vehicle weight rating of less than twenty-six thousand one pounds that is designed to transport fewer than sixteen passengers including the driver.