I am scheduled to go to Arkansas for CDL School. What usually happens is that, upon completion, a non-resident of Arkansas will be issued a temporary CDL that they take to their home state, and gets issued a perminent CDL. Now I am being told that North Carolina will not accept the temporary CDL from Arkansas. Actually, I have been told three different stories by three people at the license department, but that is the worst scenereo.
Has anyone else run into this situation in NC, and how was it resolved?
Thanks

 

For starters there really is not such thing as a temporary CDL.

This is what happens.

You go to Arkansas and surrender your DL. You are issued an Arkansas DL and once you pass the written exams a CDL learners permit.

At the end of the class you take your skills test and when you pass that you are issued an Arkansas CDL. If Arkansas issues you a paper version of your CDL and say they will mail you your hard copy and this is what your home state will not accept then ask the people there if they will send it to you in NC if it is something that will not get forwarded if you put in a change of address form at the post office. Just tell them that you are having to move out of state shortly. Once you have a hard copy CDL in hand then go to the next step.

When you get home you take that CDL to the DL facility and exchange it for a CDL in your home state. Technically you have 30 days once you "move" to change your CDL/DL. You will, at the very least, have to pay for the license and may also have to take the haz mat test again if you have and want to keep that endorsement. It is also possible, but unlikely, that you may have to retake all your written tests.

Technically what you are doing is moving to Arkansas and then moving back to your home state.

Be sure to write down the number of your original home state DL as well as the number or numbers of the DL you are issued in Arkansas because when you apply for any driving jobs you will need to list all license numbers held by you is all states over a certain period of time.

 

I may be wrong, but there really is no such thing as a "temporary" CDL, Either you have one or you do not. There have been cases if the states will allow a driver to train in another state and just take the paperwork from the CDL skills tests and convert your regular Class D license (issued by your state previously) to a CDL. It saves money and time but the states have to have "reciprocity" with each other. The problem is though, after the Illinois CDL for cash scam by their examiners, there are fewer states allowing this. There are other options but those too are limited. You may be able to convert your current license to a Arkansas License, be tested, get an Arkansas CDL, then go home and convert that license to a NC license. The best thing to do is find acceptable training in your home state.

 

What I did, I went to CDL school in Virginia, and I live in Pennsylvania. After I passed the school, they arranged with the PA testers for me to come up and take the CDL test in PA. That way I didn't have to go through all that other bullshit.

 

Thanks for the replies. Apparently, the problem is that Arkansas doesn't report the test scores into the national database. The company is trying to find out why they don't.
We are looking for alternative ways to go in case the answer isn't good.

Thanks again,
Coltpilot

 

Hey Coltpilot what part of NC. do you live in? If you live close to Washington the comunity college there is offering a CDL program for not a whole lot.

 

:lol: I've wondered that too.

Location:
Near OBX North Carolina

I'm gonna place my bet (Jessica Simpsons email address) on Outer Banks crossing area. :lol: 8)

...I know that covers a lot of ground...I hedge my bets. :twisted:

 

Mack2 and Roadhog:
I live in what is called the IBX (the InnerBankX), as opposed to the OBX (Outer BankX), (Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills, etc). I live near Elizabeth City.

I decided to go a way that I really wanted to go in the first place. I am going to Crowder College in Neosho, Missouri in January, then signing on with CFI.

I do appreciate all of the information and support that I have received here. I'll keep in touch.
Thanks,
Coltpilot