Got my CDL-A renewed

[Shetland Sheepdog]

But they told me that I will have to have a medical card on file, starting in 2014, or my CDL will be downgraded to an operators license!

Edit: They did tell me that I did not need a CDL to operate my 9,900 lb GVWR pickup with 14,000 lb GVWR gooseneck trailer attached, as the combination was under 26,001 lbs.
 

[Jim Plunkett]

In Illinois if the trailer is 12,000 or above need CDL
 

[Shetland Sheepdog]

Here in NH we do not need a CDL until truck or combination is over 26K. Can pull a trailer up to 10K with a CDL-B, but once the trailer goes above 10K we need a CDL-A when pulling with a truck that requires a CDL. With just a straight truck, a CDL is not required until 26,001 lbs.
 

[bobs old iron]

i have a cdl-a, with med card,, even when i'm not driving, i'l keep up my cdl, never know when it will come in handy, cheaper than trying to get it back, if you let it down grade to reg licence.. i go to reg doctor with dot-med forms and get a physical when needed, i always have personal med card incase of employment.. even though some jobs will make you go to their doctors for med card..
 

[larryanderson]

In Iowa a farmer can drive his own semi hauling his own grain with out a CDL or Med Card.The pamplet the DOT gave me does not read that way as I read it.But have been told by DOT officer that farmers fall under a different category.I have everything[cdl,med card,dot# and know about log books] but only haul my cargo for myself and thats my story.The minute you put a dot # on your truck , you have became commercial and med card,cdl and log book over 100miles,and scale stoppage become mandatory..To be honest some of the officers that enforce the rules dont know the rules.A friend of mine got a $313 ticket that was promptly threw out with one phone call as the officer was wrong but still put the truck out of service for no CDL and other things with an empty trailer.If he had not been speeding they probably had no reason to stop him but that was not what they wrote him for.
 

[john in la]

Here is why the DOT officer said you do not need a CDL to drive your farm truck.......

§ 383.3 Applicability
A State may, at its discretion, exempt individuals identified in paragraphs (d)(1),
(d) Exception for farmers,
(1) Operators of a farm vehicle which is:
(i) Controlled and operated by a farmer, including operation by employees or family members;
(ii) Used to transport either agricultural products, farm machinery, farm supplies, or both to or from a farm;
(iii) Not used in the operations of a common or contract motor carrier; and
(iv) Used within 241 kilometers (150 miles) of the farmer's farm.
 

[john in la]

Can you show me the exact words that back up your claim that "if the trailer is 12,000 or above need CDL"

Here is the rule......
1.2 Drivers Who Must Obtain a CDL
A CDL must be obtained by the driver of any of the following vehicles:
• Any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR)** of 26,001
or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR)* of the vehicle being
towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
• Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not
in excess of 10,000 pounds.
• Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
• Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.

Can not find it there. Ok follow the link to the entire book and tell me what page says "if the trailer is 12,000 or above need CDL"
Illinois CDL Study Guide

 

[john in la]

"different states, different rules"

Not really. CDL is federal law. The only area that the feds give the states a little say so is when the regs say.. "A State may, at its discretion, exempt individuals"
But I have never found a state that does not allow exemptions where they are given the chance to exempt some.
Iowa tried to take the farmer exemption away a year or so ago. They caught so much outrage from farmers that they backed down.
 

[john in la]

Yes that is a new rule. You show your medical forms when you get a CDL and they put them into a database that all DOT cops can see.
The up side to it is you will not have to carry your medical forms with you in the truck like you have to now.
 

[larryanderson]

Thanks for clarifying the Ia exemption.Problem appears when you go out of state you are considered to be interstate even if you are within the mileage allowance.Iowa is one of the hardest on out of state haulers.As for stopping at scales the sign reads vehicles over 10,000 lbs. but most farmers drive by with no consequences with fifth wheel trailers.Right or wrong I dont stop as I am only hauling farm related items for myself with in 150mi.
 

[mkirsch]

Yeah, but the medical is a joke... If you're above ground and drawing breath, you pass.
 

[Rick in Iowa]

i was full time cross country driver till health problems last april.feds working up plan that only certian drs can give dot physicals.big companies havent acceppted physical from your own dr for years.first thing they do is through tape measure around your neck and tell you ,you have sleep apnea.
 

[scotc]

Since I have my med card I certified for full interstate. My boss just did the intrastate, doesn"t need the med card. But once he hits a state line, his license reverts from an A to a C.
 

[Dean Olson]

Not so much any more. It all depends on the ethics of the Dr.
Gubment is putting pressure on them. They can be sued if
driver they issued med card to has a wreck.

Used to be able to pick up a blank med card in the truck stops,
fill it out, scribble a signature and that was good enough. Cops
never even asked for it until the last few years.

Now we have to have the long form with the Dr address and
phone #. My Dr told me his staff must drop everything if officer
calls to verify authenticity.

Rumor has it Dr must get registered with FMCSA and as
drivers we would have to use one of those Docs.

Sounds like they are trying to clean up the abuse.
 

[NEIADan]

I was told by IA DOT that I didn't need the med card, log book or cdl if I was hauling my own farm product within 150 air miles of home even if it meant crossinbg state lines. I was fully covered any way with all requirements. A month later I was on a WI scale and they spent an hour looking for the rules and found that was true if you carry farm plates. We have apportioned plates so all farm exemptions were void. Since I live close to state lines we carry permits for all surrounding states and claim a sales tax exemption on our truck and trailer as long as 25 % of the mioles are out of the state.
Luckily I had everything in place and left without dropping any money