Here's my cdl story. I became the "big boss" at a municipality. I told the Safety guy 1) I wanted a cdl (The old class 1 & 2) so I could drive our equipment if needed and so it couldn't be thrown in my face that you don't know what it's like to drive our trucks. and 2) I wanted to establish a training program like Michigan DOT did for their temporary employees. So I get a learners permit for a Class 2, truck and trailer. We sent our employees to test with a tractor trailer. (Day cab
)
So off to the MDOT training school we go for a week to see what it it all involves. Me as a newbie and him as an experienced driver. He had started as a laborer and worked his way up. First day we drive there (me behind the wheel) about 35 degrees. No heat. Sit in a classroom at Ft Custer. WWII buildings 3 feet above ground, open underneath, no insulation and a November wind. We both had numb feet by the time we got back home. The truck got an out of service tag when we parked it at the mechanic bays. LOL (BTW: we established our own program which is still used and in place today - 28 years later)
So after a week of me training at Ft Custer, he and I spend a day on our roads doing everything our drivers do except plow snow since it wasn't snowing (or in the forecast). As some of you have said, in those days the company could sign a waiver and you got your license. No road test. My trailer expereince has been a 2 wheel trailer with a 14 foot day sailor sail boat
So the new reg's roll around in 1992. They say that if you have the old cdl for 24 months, you are grandfathered into the new cdl. in my case Class A with air brakes. So I do the math I'm going to be a few months short (Crap
). So I start training with one of our dump trucks and trailer. MI allowed that combination to satisfy the Cl 1 requirements back them. We had a little test course set up in one of our yards so I would practice after work. The days we took our truck and trailer to the SOS course (SOS did all the testing back then) I tagged one. I had it down pretty good to get the trailer a foot from the dock by marking a spot on the side mirror and a light pole LOL. But I need more practice for sure. So I'm sweating big time.
So I get a letter from SOS on my cdl. I open it nervously. The letter says based on your current cdl status you are grandfathered since you have had it over 24 months. Hallelujah, Saints be Praised !!!! The only thing I can figure is the counted the time of my learners permit.
Since then I've bought my own tractor trailer for my hobby toys. I kept my medical card until I turned 65. Once I developed my right leg issues with my L4 right nerve my driving has consisted of a couple short trips or taking the old girl around the block occasionally I dropped the medical card. I has a stent in 2002 so I had to get it renewed every year. Hard to do when you spend 14 weeks recovering from spine surgery and have 4 surgeries in 5 years. (Looks like # 5 is coming up - waiting for 1 more test) So now I check exempt interstate which means I can only haul my own stuff which is all I had it for anyways. I get the enhanced so I can visit Canada w/o finding my passport (Or forgetting it)
