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UK HGV LICENCE TO USA CDL LICENCE

UK HGV LICENCE TO USA CDL LICENCE

Old Feb 23rd 2009, 11:43 pm
  #1  
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Default 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
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Old Feb 24th 2009, 1:25 am
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Default 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.
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Old Feb 24th 2009, 1:28 am
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Default Re: UK HGV LICENCE TO USA CDL LICENCE

Calling MANC or Pat
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Old Feb 24th 2009, 1:36 am
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Default 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.

Last edited by Manc; Feb 24th 2009 at 2:08 am.
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Old Feb 25th 2009, 2:53 am
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Default 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.
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Old Feb 25th 2009, 3:09 am
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Default Re: UK HGV LICENCE TO USA CDL LICENCE

Originally Posted by Manc
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.
He lives in Florida, so I'm guessing it probably isn't a problem.
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Old Feb 25th 2009, 3:43 am
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Default Re: UK HGV LICENCE TO USA CDL LICENCE

Originally Posted by Octang Frye
He lives in Florida, so I'm guessing it probably isn't a problem.
He can drive a Segway in Florida
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Old Feb 25th 2009, 6:07 am
  #8  
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Default Re: UK HGV LICENCE TO USA CDL LICENCE

Originally Posted by Octang Frye
He lives in Florida,
oooh he'll need an eye test as well then.
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Old Feb 25th 2009, 10:27 am
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Default 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.
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Old Feb 25th 2009, 11:36 am
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Default Re: UK HGV LICENCE TO USA CDL LICENCE

Originally Posted by Optimus Prime
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).
What, did Pat have to spot you the 40 bucks?

Originally Posted by Optimus Prime
But you dont have a cat in hells chance of getting a visa to the US based on having a UK HGV licence.
Looks like he's already in Florida and looking to drive here...
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Old Feb 25th 2009, 12:08 pm
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Default Re: UK HGV LICENCE TO USA CDL LICENCE

Originally Posted by another bloody yank
What, did Pat have to spot you the 40 bucks?



Looks like he's already in Florida and looking to drive here...
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.
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Old Feb 25th 2009, 12:24 pm
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Default Re: UK HGV LICENCE TO USA CDL LICENCE

Originally Posted by Optimus Prime
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.
I can believe he failed you for that. You know everybody over here comes to a complete stop 100% of the time. It's just what we do.
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Old Feb 25th 2009, 12:39 pm
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Default Re: UK HGV LICENCE TO USA CDL LICENCE

Originally Posted by another bloody yank
I can believe he failed you for that. You know everybody over here comes to a complete stop 100% of the time. It's just what we do.
He failed me for that in an empty layby. Before I even got out on the bloody road.
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Old Feb 25th 2009, 12:43 pm
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Default Re: UK HGV LICENCE TO USA CDL LICENCE

Originally Posted by Optimus Prime
He failed me for that in an empty layby. Before I even got out on the bloody road.
Are you sure he wasn't prior State Patrol? He might have recognized your name...
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Old Feb 25th 2009, 12:45 pm
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Default Re: UK HGV LICENCE TO USA CDL LICENCE

Originally Posted by Optimus Prime
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.
Hi

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
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