UK HGV LICENCE TO USA CDL LICENCE
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2008
Location: Nottinghamshire UK > Florida > UK 10days >Ireland > BACK IN NOTTINGHAMSHIRE UK
Posts: 209
UK HGV LICENCE TO USA CDL LICENCE
Hi
Does anyone with a HGV class 1 UK licence drive in USA if so what did you need to do to get your CDL USA licence. Do you have to do the whole USA course or does your UK HGV licence help to shorten the process.
Thanks for any information.
Pete
Does anyone with a HGV class 1 UK licence drive in USA if so what did you need to do to get your CDL USA licence. Do you have to do the whole USA course or does your UK HGV licence help to shorten the process.
Thanks for any information.
Pete
#2
Re: UK HGV LICENCE TO USA CDL LICENCE
I'm not an expert on CDL's, but as a Yank, I can tell you that driving laws are different in every state. In some states, your UK license may help, in another it may not. So you should start by researching the CDL requirements for the state(s) you are interested in moving to.
#3
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: HMP Strangeways
Posts: 5,206
Re: UK HGV LICENCE TO USA CDL LICENCE
Calling MANC or Pat
#4
Re: UK HGV LICENCE TO USA CDL LICENCE
Your license is no use to you over here. You will need
a) a visa
b) a job
c) a CDL license
d) a shitload of luck
and not necessarily in that order
I got my CDL, tanker and hazmat all off my own back. (since dropped hazmat as I don't ever use it)
I did 2 months training with Werner earning a pittance whilst I learned the trade. the trainer was good, the company itself is wank.
Then went with JB Hunt for 18 months........ better pay but still 3 weeks on 3 days off.
Now do a dedicated run to Canada and back.
a) a visa
b) a job
c) a CDL license
d) a shitload of luck
and not necessarily in that order
I got my CDL, tanker and hazmat all off my own back. (since dropped hazmat as I don't ever use it)
I did 2 months training with Werner earning a pittance whilst I learned the trade. the trainer was good, the company itself is wank.
Then went with JB Hunt for 18 months........ better pay but still 3 weeks on 3 days off.
Now do a dedicated run to Canada and back.
Last edited by Manc; Feb 24th 2009 at 2:08 am.
#5
Re: UK HGV LICENCE TO USA CDL LICENCE
Yup as Manc sid you will need to do the whole thing all over again over here.
I have my CDL "B" class with school bus & passenger endorsement's as I work in the family business of school buses.
I have my CDL "B" class with school bus & passenger endorsement's as I work in the family business of school buses.
#6
Peace onion
Joined: Jul 2006
Location: Denver
Posts: 5,686
Re: UK HGV LICENCE TO USA CDL LICENCE
Your license is no use to you over here. You will need
a) a visa
b) a job
c) a CDL license
d) a shitload of luck
and not necessarily in that order
I got my CDL, tanker and hazmat all off my own back. (since dropped hazmat as I don't ever use it)
I did 2 months training with Werner earning a pittance whilst I learned the trade. the trainer was good, the company itself is wank.
Then went with JB Hunt for 18 months........ better pay but still 3 weeks on 3 days off.
Now do a dedicated run to Canada and back.
a) a visa
b) a job
c) a CDL license
d) a shitload of luck
and not necessarily in that order
I got my CDL, tanker and hazmat all off my own back. (since dropped hazmat as I don't ever use it)
I did 2 months training with Werner earning a pittance whilst I learned the trade. the trainer was good, the company itself is wank.
Then went with JB Hunt for 18 months........ better pay but still 3 weeks on 3 days off.
Now do a dedicated run to Canada and back.
#9
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Just outside of decency
Posts: 7,837
Re: UK HGV LICENCE TO USA CDL LICENCE
I have both UK HGV and US CDL.
To get your CDL you also have to sit in a room at the DMV and do a written test on air brakes and mechanical brakes because they think as a driver you're going to fix them yourself.
Anyway, my US CDL licence cost me a whopping....$40. (Thanks Pat)
But you dont have a cat in hells chance of getting a visa to the US based on having a UK HGV licence.
To get your CDL you also have to sit in a room at the DMV and do a written test on air brakes and mechanical brakes because they think as a driver you're going to fix them yourself.
Anyway, my US CDL licence cost me a whopping....$40. (Thanks Pat)
But you dont have a cat in hells chance of getting a visa to the US based on having a UK HGV licence.
#10
Re: UK HGV LICENCE TO USA CDL LICENCE
I have both UK HGV and US CDL.
To get your CDL you also have to sit in a room at the DMV and do a written test on air brakes and mechanical brakes because they think as a driver you're going to fix them yourself.
Anyway, my US CDL licence cost me a whopping....$40. (Thanks Pat).
To get your CDL you also have to sit in a room at the DMV and do a written test on air brakes and mechanical brakes because they think as a driver you're going to fix them yourself.
Anyway, my US CDL licence cost me a whopping....$40. (Thanks Pat).
Looks like he's already in Florida and looking to drive here...
#11
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Just outside of decency
Posts: 7,837
Re: UK HGV LICENCE TO USA CDL LICENCE
Then I passed and we both ****ed off and went to work elsewhere.
Only paid for the tests, had 2 at $20 a test. Failed the first for doing a "California stop" on the quietest road in creation.
#12
Re: UK HGV LICENCE TO USA CDL LICENCE
Pat set me up with his ex employer. Told them I'd work for them if they let me have a few drives of one of their trucks to get used to it and let me use it for the road test.
Then I passed and we both ****ed off and went to work elsewhere.
Only paid for the tests, had 2 at $20 a test. Failed the first for doing a "California stop" on the quietest road in creation.
Then I passed and we both ****ed off and went to work elsewhere.
Only paid for the tests, had 2 at $20 a test. Failed the first for doing a "California stop" on the quietest road in creation.
#15
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2008
Location: Nottinghamshire UK > Florida > UK 10days >Ireland > BACK IN NOTTINGHAMSHIRE UK
Posts: 209
Re: UK HGV LICENCE TO USA CDL LICENCE
I have both UK HGV and US CDL.
To get your CDL you also have to sit in a room at the DMV and do a written test on air brakes and mechanical brakes because they think as a driver you're going to fix them yourself.
Anyway, my US CDL licence cost me a whopping....$40. (Thanks Pat)
But you dont have a cat in hells chance of getting a visa to the US based on having a UK HGV licence.
To get your CDL you also have to sit in a room at the DMV and do a written test on air brakes and mechanical brakes because they think as a driver you're going to fix them yourself.
Anyway, my US CDL licence cost me a whopping....$40. (Thanks Pat)
But you dont have a cat in hells chance of getting a visa to the US based on having a UK HGV licence.
Sorry for the confusion. We arrived in USA January 2009. We have our permanent resident cards and social security cards. We both took our Florida driving test last week. My husband is just wondering if it's worth him taking his CDL. He is 57 so trying to work out if it would be worth it. He has contacted a driving school to see how much it would cost. They have not got back to him yet.
We just posted the question to see what other peoples experiences were.
Thanks for yours. We dont know anyone with a truck so thats a no go lol
Chris