Posted: 2/3/2026 6:57:16 AM EDT
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For the guys that had their CDL but moved to a different industry, was it worthwhile to keep your CDL license or let it expire and go back to a regular license? I've had my license for the past 7-8 years but haven't driven a truck for probably the past 2 years and no longer in the transportation industry. Looking for opinions whether it was beneficial to keep it even if companies seem to be more strict as far as driving experience. |
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Personally I'd keep it, you never know where life is going to take you and a having a CDL means having an almost guaranteed job opportunity if things change. It may not be a great job or one you want but but it can mean income until you find something else. The other thing to consider the rules have changed for getting a CDL, now you will have to attended a FMCSA-approved training program as well as passing a written and skills test if you ever decide to get your CDL again. |
USN Retired: APR 1988 - MAY 2008
"My center is giving way, my right is falling back, situation excellent, I attack." —Ferdinand Foch
"My center is giving way, my right is falling back, situation excellent, I attack." —Ferdinand Foch
| I was going to let mine go, lucky for me at the DMV I actually got someone who gave a shit that day, otherwise I would not have known I could do what I did. I'm not sure if it's available to you or not in your state, but I was able to keep my CDL, without presenting a DOT physical card at license renewal time. I had to sign a affidavit stating I was not driving and I still have to pay the extra cost of the CDL fee to renew...so it's kind of mothballed. I renew my license as normal, just without having to show proof of my physical. |
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Yeah, I kept mine, and was even using it at my own business. Trying to find a job for any trucking company, after 9/11, was just about impossible. Oh, you have no recent experience. Eventually I was able to take a crap job, for crap pay, hauling Sulfuric Acid, to get my foot back in the door. Now, I am doing very well. I paid a lot of dues to get where I'm at now. ** Something else to keep in mind...... Any personal vehicle tickets go against your CDL now. Many years ago, it was not this way. I remember going to traffic school for a commercial vehicle ticket, many years ago. 😆 |
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Originally Posted By barbcue: KEEP IT no question. That said, I let my Hazmat endoresment go because i never use it. But if the money was right i would get it again. Never let your CDL go. it's great "insurance" to have in your back pocket Yeah, until you go to get a job using it..... And they say. ... Oh, I see you have NO recent experience. Good Luck. BTDT You may get hired for a shit job, driving something smelly and falling apart, but good companies are not going to be able to insure you, or take the risk. |
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Originally Posted By AR15A2SporterII: Yeah, until you go to get a job using it..... And they say. ... Oh, I see you have NO recent experience. Good Luck. BTDT You may get hired for a shit job, driving something smelly and falling apart, but good companies are not going to be able to insure you, or take the risk. Partially true, but stated in a hyperbolic manner. The exact same companies that will hire new drivers will hire you as an experienced driver without ‘recent’ experience. What that typically means is that for six months to a year you’re stuck working for the type of company that will hire recent CDL-mill graduates if you’re set on driving a semi. If you just care about a job, without recent experience, you can still usually get on with construction companies, state departments of transportation, or home heating fuel deliveries. |
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Originally Posted By Chinvad: Partially true, but stated in a hyperbolic manner. The exact same companies that will hire new drivers will hire you as an experienced driver without ‘recent’ experience. What that typically means is that for six months to a year you’re stuck working for the type of company that will hire recent CDL-mill graduates if you’re set on driving a semi. If you just care about a job, without recent experience, you can still usually get on with construction companies, state departments of transportation, or home heating fuel deliveries. Correct. SHIT JOB. SHIT PAY. This ain't my first rodeo. Tell everyone about how they will lease you a truck too. 😆 |
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Originally Posted By AR15A2SporterII: Correct. SHIT JOB. SHIT PAY. This ain't my first rodeo. Tell everyone about how they will lease you a truck too. 😆 Everyone has to (re)start somewhere. For the length of time I’ve been on this forum, I’ve tried to help folks get started in the industry, and give good advice based on my knowledge of the industry. There are very good options for new drivers, or returning drivers. Just because the industry has changed (for better or worse) since you drove, doesn’t mean they’re all ‘shit’ jobs or ‘shit’ pay. I wasn’t snarky or condescending to you, so I don’t get your attitude toward me. |
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Originally Posted By Chinvad: Everyone has to (re)start somewhere. For the length of time I’ve been on this forum, I’ve tried to help folks get started in the industry, and give good advice based on my knowledge of the industry. There are very good options for new drivers, or returning drivers. Just because the industry has changed (for better or worse) since you drove, doesn’t mean they’re all ‘shit’ jobs or ‘shit’ pay. I wasn’t snarky or condescending to you, so I don’t get your attitude toward me. Originally Posted By Chinvad: Originally Posted By AR15A2SporterII: Correct. SHIT JOB. SHIT PAY. This ain't my first rodeo. Tell everyone about how they will lease you a truck too. 😆 Everyone has to (re)start somewhere. For the length of time I’ve been on this forum, I’ve tried to help folks get started in the industry, and give good advice based on my knowledge of the industry. There are very good options for new drivers, or returning drivers. Just because the industry has changed (for better or worse) since you drove, doesn’t mean they’re all ‘shit’ jobs or ‘shit’ pay. I wasn’t snarky or condescending to you, so I don’t get your attitude toward me. Attitude? Did I say anything of yours was " Partially true"? I'm still out here doing it. I happen to know how it works, and doesn't work in the industry. |
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Originally Posted By 220: I was going to let mine go, lucky for me at the DMV I actually got someone who gave a shit that day, otherwise I would not have known I could do what I did. I'm not sure if it's available to you or not in your state, but I was able to keep my CDL, without presenting a DOT physical card at license renewal time. I had to sign a affidavit stating I was not driving and I still have to pay the extra cost of the CDL fee to renew...so it's kind of mothballed. I renew my license as normal, just without having to show proof of my physical. I have been doing this in NC for years. |
| I let my medical lapse and DMV downgraded me to a regular license. I regret it, even though I wasn't using it. I have a friend I used to drive with who retired and kept his license. He now picks up some part time work driving for a local quarry, and has done some other random work driving some cool stuff whenever he wants. |
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I was going to let mine go but the gal at the transportation department said it was only $10 more. So I kept it, didn’t have to provide a medical card or do a driving test. That was six years ago. But I failed the eye exam and have hearing aids. So had to go to my optometrist and do their eye test. Took back the Dr results and got to keep the license unrestricted, even though I can’t see at night. 
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As someone who stupidly let his class A lapse in 2018 and just had to get it back, keep it. Switch to tier 4 so you don't need a medical, this essentially "sleeps" it so it doesn't get downgraded when your medical expires. I can tell you it's a pain in the ass to get it back. I had to retake all the applicable written tests, and take the pretrip and road tests again, which was $500 because in WI they are all 3rd party testers now. The positive is that I didn't need to go through ELDT, which would have been a chunk of money. |