Question about military and truckdriving
 

Is it true that if a person has their CDLs, joins or gets drafted in the military and has them converted into a military CDLs, that when they get out of the military, they have to go to driving school and test for their civilian CDLs all over again? :x

As far as I can tell, they do it to keep labor costs down. Perpetual training satisfies Industry pocket books. A skill and knowledge test should be sufficient proof, without robbing trucker of school time and lower pay: for most people any way.

Re: Question about military and truckdriving
 

Greetings Douglas,

From what I understand, most companies could care less about military training. I'm still active duty (Air Force) and am looking to get out soon. But I don't understand why companies look down on us. I've been driving truck for 12 years (almost 13). I spend my time now training people on driving Tractor Trailer. Now, I ask why would someone discount troops experience in driving Truck in the Military? Is it the Military Type of Vehicles? At my last base in Florida, We had Freightliners & Internationals & Sterlings. Here in Japan, we have Sterlings, Internationals & Fuso's. 12 years ago we had GMC Topkicks (thank god those are gone). Not only do I drive and train on Tractor Trailer, but I driver Wrecker as well... bus & coach bus too. I drive anything with wheels or tracks..., part of being in Military Transportation I guess.

Ooops... I went on a bit here... sorry... I get carried away sometimes...

-James

Re: Question about military and truckdriving
 

Not a problem. :) I enjoyed reading it. :)

As to your original question, the answer is no. The military will not convert your license in any way, you'll simply get a military license for the vehicles that the military qualifies you to drive. You have to qualify on heavy vehicles before you can drive them in the military, your civilian CDL carries no sway with them and you'll need to train on everything.

What's funny is that a friend of mine who drive a truck OTR for 9 years, decided to go into the army reserves as a truck driver. Not only did the army recognize his civilian experience, they gave him a $10,000 (cost of military cdl trainin) check on top of his enlistement bonus since they didn't have to train him to drive a truck.

That was Army. I'm in the Air Force & I'm a Trainer / Certifier. If someone comes to me with a CDL & have been driving for 9 yrs, I would just conduct a check ride, then give him his license.

-James

Driver, sounds like your buddies recruiter ripped him off. There is no militaty CDL so there is no need to spend 10,000 getting one. You get a military drivers licence. I was in the infantry but I had the licence to drive anything in the inventory except tanks.

So just how did he get ripped off? He got paid 10,000 for the cost of the military training since they didn't have to train him...they gave him a check...

gets drafted in the military

What world are you living in?
2nd of all-You don't "Convert" your CDL into a military Truck driving license