I'm planning on retiring next spring, the same time that my drivers license expires. I was required to get a class A CDL 14 years ago when I got my job as a mechanic at the Post Office. I've never needed one except at work. I've heard some people say that if you get pulled over with a CDL, the police are more lenient. Some people say that the police are more strict with a CDL. I very rarely drink. I've probably only had 15-20 beers this year. With a CDL, the legal limit is .04, half of what it is with a regular license. Even though I drink very little, I generally have more than two beers when I drink, and two beers puts me over the limit. I've heard that your insurance rates are higher with a CDL, but I never told my insurance company that I have a CDL, and I don't want to ask them now because I don't want them to raise my rates if that's the case. Any thoughts?
I am not aware of any insurance company that adds a surcharge based on having a CDL. If I had a CDL, I would maintain it. May want to buy a trailer and deliver a few cars in retirement just to have something to do and bring in some extra spending cash for those 15-20 beers a year.
They are expensive to maintain but like above I've thought about shuffling vehicles around the country so I've kept mine. It has always been my experience police are more lenient with professional drivers. I have hazmet and tanker stamps so I have to get the background check and take the hazmet written test every renewal. Mikey
Either have I, and I represent some of the larger companies out there (Nationwide, Travelers, etc.) and some of larger regional carriers (Motorists, Celina, etc.) and some of the smaller local companies (Wayne Mutual, Buckeye State Mutual, etc.) and none of them "surcharge" for a CDL. I also agree with Brian to maintain the CDL to have that ability to bring in extra cash in retirement. It's like anything one studies and passes a test for, don't let it go. I've told my family to make sure they renew my Amateur Radio license every 10 years! I studied HARD to pass 20 words per minute Morse Code back in the day...don't ever want to repeat that process!! (they have removed the Morse Code requirement, but the electrical theory for a Marketing Major would become the giant stumbling block...).
If it isn't too much trouble I would hold on to it. Reapplying and going through all the hoops to get it back isn't to be sneezed at. We had a guy at work that inadvertently let his expire. What a dog n pony should to get it back starting from the beginning. In the early 2000s I let my hazmat go as I didn't think i'd need it. I was wrong and had to start from scratch to get it back. Not gonna do that again.
You never know what retirement will bring. It is a happy time, but expenses can and likely will go up from what you planned. It's great to have a "plan B" available to you! Keep it. You might be glad you did!
My dad had a CDL for decades due to his job but after he retired he dropped the CDL for these reasons: -he said he has no plan to EVER drive a big truck again -the cost to renew a CDL is more than a regular license (more money) -drivers holding a Commercial Driver License (CDL) are required to appear in person to renew their CDL license (more time and hassle waiting in long, slow lines at the DMV) -CDL holders must also provide their current valid DOT medical card at the time of renewal and he doesn't want to fool with keeping a current DOT medical card (DOT medical card means more time, hassle, and money). -he was getting bombared with solicitations from trucking companies looking to hire drivers with a valid CDL and he wanted those to stop (I guess the state of TN sells a list of CDL holders to companies?) After dropping the CDL he no longer gets the offers from trucking companies.
I let mine go when I retired.. Only to find out that was stupid.. I lost side (part time) work from guys that actually pay... Granted it would be weekend and night work (road construction work) but who cares what day it is when your retired.... everyday is Saturday
Our state lets one, "self certify" to retain the cdl without a med card. This won't let you drive out of state or hold a hazmat but there is lots of driving without those things. I'm still working and get lots of stuff trying to recruit for part time. Even have had people approach me while at work and shoving there contact info in my hand telling me that"just in case" i change my mind or things change to contact them. I don't think there is a shortage of drivers. but good drivers are hard to find. I know the last couple I left really upped their offers when i turned in the notice and I worked the time out to the end. I was like, why did I have to quit for the money to "get right"? I already have the next stage lined up. and I know I made the decision for a reason and that hasn't changed.
FWIW at work I never drove a Simi truck per say... I needed a CDL to pull a trailer behind a 1ton truck or drive a Isusu type truck on government bases..
What if you win the lottery and you wanna buy a stretched out lowered peterbilt just to cruise around in or long trips then ya gotta do the whole thing all over with the tests......keep on truckin brother....
I had thoughts of turning in my CDL ... About 10 years I was at dmv renewing mine , had all my paperwork, medical card and other documents in order to renew .. Thinking out loud, I said, this is probably the last time I do this.. the DMV clerk replied " You will renew it again " I replied "What makes you think so?" She replied " You never know when you will need a job" I still have it......... You just never know......
I had one for 28 years. Being in the School bus mechanic business. Had to have a Pasanger endorsement also. I let it go when I retired. I'm MS. It cost more. And I was asked to drive old buses full of people during Mardigrass. And that's a day I drink.
I have had a Class A CDL for probably close to 30 years, when I worked for Coca-Cola as a service tech they made me get one using their trucks. Maybe used it to drive a semi maybe less than a dozen times while employed by them before quitting the following year. I have heard horror stories about trying to get a truck to take the test because most companies want you to have one already. Might need it if I am desperate for work some time is the big reason I still have it. Never needed any medical card when I renew...might have to do with the intrastate vs. interstate travel? I just told them if I drive I never cross the state line when diving something requiring a CDL.
Don't burn your bridges, keep that CDL. If I didn't have a CDL, I wouldn't have the dream part time job I have now after retirement.
