I went to the DPS office yesterday, to renew my license.
The lady told me that the license is good for 5 years now.
:eek2: :angryblue:
Why did they do that? Used to, you paid $30 for 3 years, and $60 for 6 years.
I renewed my license in 2003, and it expired this month. Now it's only for 5 years.
I didn't ask why. I guess I didn't think to ask.

Do yall know why they did that?

 

I believe that is a state issue. In Wisconsin, the CDL is good for 10 years.

 

10 years? :eek2: Dang!
It must be a 'Texas thing'. I just assumed it was the FMCSA. Thanks, Rev. That would be a question for the safety man.
Would have been a good question to ask her at the counter, but I didn't think to ask. :angryblue:

 

How much did it cost for a 5-year renewal? That may answer the "Why did they do that?".

 

WV's is 5 years, cost is $43.75 + endoresement fees

 

Your background check approval letter for a hazmat endorsement is good for 5 years. When you renew your liscence the approval letter has to be good thru the next CDL renewel date. So maybe they changed it to match up with the approval letter dates so that your not always caught in between hazmat letters. Actually if you needed hazmat you would not even be able to get a six year renewal cause the background check is only good for 5 years and if you got the three year you would have to pay for another background check in three years because you would only have 2 years left on your approval letter. I know clear as mud right?

 

$60.
It still costs the same, but we lost a year. :lol: :angryblue:

 

FL is 6 years. Not long ago, AZ was 20 years... Did you know that in that time, you could go completely blind? :eek2:

 

20 years. Good grief. :eek2:
That would be a deal where your license is older than your truck. :lol:


I emailed our safety man about it. Here is his reply. I asked him why we lost a year on our license.

1st – we need a color copy of your renewed license for your DOT file.

2nd – They are the Government, they do things like that for any reason they feel necessary. Our license is issued by the state, not the federal government, so it is probably based on something state initiated. As to what that is I have no information. What I do know about this aspect is that a drivers license is the main identification means for many aspects including the driving privilege, and that it is a revenue generator for the state and making it renewable in 5 years instead of 6 could generate that amount of money per capita sooner.

Our safety man uses big words, and at the same time, he is very enthusiastic :lol: He's a good guy, though. He's one of us. He actually used to drive for a living himself. (worked his way up)
Anyhow, I'm guessing he is trying to say that they changed the regs on our license, because they wanted to and they can. :lol:

 

You sure about that rev? I live in WI too, renewed my CDL in 06, and it is good until 2014. Maybe something changed in WI since I renewed? I think the regular licenses are good for 8 yrs as well.

My cost for the 8 yr CDL was $64. Not too bad