Becoming a truck driver can put you on the road to a solid career. However, you must take the right steps to ensure your commercial driver’s license (CDL) is in good standing. To keep your CDL current, you must submit your medical certification every year.
Failing to keep a valid CDL means you will face severe consequences. If you’re caught driving with an expired CDL, you’ll lose your eligibility as a commercial driver. Simplex Group offers comprehensive services to support those who have CDL licenses, including permit acquisition and renewal.
In this blog post, you’ll learn what happens when it’s past your CDL’s expiration date and the steps to take to renew your CDL.
What Happens If I Let My CDL Expire?
As soon as your CDL expires, you cannot operate a commercial vehicle. Commercial truck drivers with expired CDL licenses will face penalties and fines. Additionally, if you are driving a truck even after your license has expired, you may lose your CDL completely.
Drivers may also face penalties from their employers if they go beyond the CDL expiration date. It’s always important to pay attention and renew your license on time. If your CDL expires, you may need to take extra steps to rectify the expiration.
Your commercial license expires anywhere from five to eight years after it’s issued. While the DMV will likely send you a notice to renew your CDL just as it does for a regular driver’s license, it isn’t obligated to do so. This means that you are responsible for making sure you don’t have an expired license and renew it when it’s required.
Commercial drivers should always pay attention to these requirements. If you are uncertain about whether you need a new license or how to renew it, contact your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). They can give you specific information for renewal.
Steps to Take If Your Commercial Driver’s License Has Expired
Fortunately, the renewal process for an expired license is generally simple. If your CDL expires, you can renew online unless you have an endorsement for transporting hazardous materials. If your CDL has been expired for over 60 days, you may need to take additional steps to reinstate your driving privileges under this type of driver’s license.
Visit Your Local DMV Office
Each state will have its own rules, so it’s important to check with the DMV office near you to find out what’s needed to restore the license for your CDL. Most will require the following:
- Medical examiner’s certificate
- Vision test report, if required by the medical examiner’s certificate
- Photocopy of your license
- Proof of legal presence documents (photocopies are accepted)
Prepare for the Renewal Fee and Application Fees
There are costs associated with reinstating your CDL. You may also need to pay a late fee to obtain your renewal.
Understand That Additional Testing May Be Required
Since operating commercial vehicles is far riskier than driving passenger vehicles, some additional testing may be needed before you get your renewed CDL. You may need to pass a written test or skills test. For those with HAZMAT endorsements, you should know that you will always need to pass a knowledge test every time you renew your CDL, even if you never let it expire.
Renewing Your CDL When It Has Been Expired More Than 60 Days
If you let your CDL go more than 60 days beyond its expiration, you might need to requalify. This would require you to get your commercial learner’s permit (CLP), retake driving tests, and pay your fees for the application. You should also know that if there are any major issues found on your driving record, you may no longer be eligible to hold a CDL license.
Ultimately, if you want to continue your career in trucking, you must always make sure that your CDL is current and in good standing. Without it, you won’t be able to work as a commercial driver.
Preventative Measures for CDL Holders to Take to Avoid an Expired CDL License
You may forget your CDL’s expiration is coming up. However, now that you know the ramifications of forgetting something of such importance, it’s wise to take the right steps to prevent this from happening. These tips will help you stay on top of things and avoid the issues that can arise when this licensing expires.
Set Reminders
When you get your CDL, program a reminder in your phone for its expiration date. As mentioned, the DMV often sends out reminders, but they aren’t obligated to provide a reminder. Additionally, it could easily get lost in the mail. Make sure you have a way to notify yourself to ensure you get it renewed on time.
Undergo Your Regular Medical Checkups
Current medical certificates are required yearly, and it helps to make sure you have those scheduled in advance as well. Make the appointment and then set your reminder to ensure you keep your CDL in good standing.
Use Compliance Management Services
Since there are so many requirements for staying compliant, it’s helpful to utilize services that can help you manage them all. Simplex Group offers compliance solutions to prevent you from missing key deadlines on things like CDL renewals, permits, consultation, and support.
When running a trucking business or driving for one, making sure that you are following the rules and regulations of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is paramount. It may be a simple oversight on your part to forget to renew this license, but it can be a costly one. You will spend more on fees and penalties, and you may be banned from driving trucks again. Use these compliance management services to help you stay on the right track. Contact us today!