What Does it Take to Obtain a Commercial Driver’s License?

A commercial driver’s license (CDL) is required of all drivers who wish to drive commercial trucks in the United States. If you do not have a CDL and are pulled over driving a commercial vehicle, you risk hundreds of dollars in fines, points, suspension of your driver’s license and even losing the option to obtain a CDL down the road.

According to a recent news story, more than 500 truck drivers across North and South Carolina had their CDLs revoked due the records being lost by the school where they took the test. The school, the Carolina Truck Driving School, reportedly could not find the records when the school was audited. The drivers affected were notified about the issue and told they had to retake the CDL test within one month or have their license canceled completely.

After spending one week in the classroom, and almost four weeks in the controlled school yard to practice driving, the drivers affected are planning to file a lawsuit. Class action lawsuits are being prepared in North and South Carolina after drivers spent close to $5,000 for the CDL class and test for their records to ultimately disappear.

Some of the affected drivers have taken the re-test but have failed, losing their CDLs in the process. The initial tests, and some of the re-tests, were issued by a third-party testing company. The Carolina Truck Driving School closed not long after the audit was completed.

How to obtain a CDL in Charlotte

Those who wish to obtain a CDL will need to meet the following requirements:

• Be 21 years old
• Provide proof of state residency
• Provide a Medical Examination Report
• Pass a vision test
• Pass a knowledge test
• Receive a Commercial Learner’s Permit
• Wait 14 days before scheduling the road skills exam
• Pass the pre-trip inspection
• Pass a road skills and driving exam using your own vehicle
• Pay the fees required for a CDL after passing
• Provide a 10-year driving record if you applied for a CDL in a state other than where you live

How does a driver fail a re-test?

So, how does a driver fail a CDL re-test? Some of the most common reasons include:

• Failed to study or did not study enough
• Took the road skills test using bad habits
• Failed to wear a seatbelt
• Drove more than five miles over the speed limit
• Difficulty operating the truck in reverse

It’s disconcerting to think that there may have been hundreds of commercial truck drivers on the roads in North Carolina who couldn’t pass a retest. It makes us wonder how many of those drivers were involved in truck accidents, and if they should have been allowed on the road in the first place.

Were you injured in a truck accident? If so, it’s time you spoke to an experienced Charlotte truck accident lawyer about your rights and options. Call the office of Warren & Kallianos, PLLC at 704-377-7777 or complete our contact form to schedule a consultation today.