Information for Military Drivers |
If you have recent
experience driving large trucks in the military, you may be eligible
to obtain a Florida Commercial Driver License (CDL) without retaking
the skills tests normally required. You may do this if:
- You are still in active service in any branch of the military
or within 90 days of separating from the service.
- For the past two years at least, you have driven vehicles in
the military that would require a CDL to operate as a civilian.
Civilian commercial motor vehicles requiring a CDL are generally
large straight trucks with a manufacturer’s Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR) over 26,000 lbs. and truck-trailer combinations
where the combined GVWR is over 26,000 lbs. and the trailer itself
has a GVWR over 10,000 lbs. Experience driving vehicles designed
to carry more than 15 people, including the driver, may also count.
This is the procedure to follow:
- Download and print the “Certification
for Waiver of Skill Test for Military Personnel" form.
This form may also be obtained from any Florida driver license
office. You and the responsible person in your military chain
of command will need to complete and sign this form attesting
to your driving experience. The form also provides a way for your
commanding officer or transportation officer to state what types
of military vehicle you were qualified to drive, in terms that
translate to the comparable civilian CDL class, endorsements,
and restrictions.
- Study the Florida CDL Handbook, available online
or in any Florida driver license office. You will need to know
the information in this book to pass the required knowledge tests.
- While you are still in the service or no later than 90 days
from separation, go to any Florida Driver License Office with
your present driver license and military active duty identification
card or DD-214 (military discharge papers). You will be given
the CDL knowledge tests needed for the class of license and endorsements
you wish to obtain, as described in the handbook. If you pass
and have brought your fully completed Certification for Waiver
of Skill Test for Military Personnel form, you may be issued your
Florida CDL in the same visit. If you pass the knowledge tests
but did not bring your completed Certification for Waiver of Skill
Test for Military Personnel form, you may return with it later
for issuance of your CDL, so long as no more that 120 days have
passed since your separation from the military.
Remember these time limits – To have your military
driving experience accepted as a replacement for passing the regular
CDL skills tests, you must begin the application process while on
active duty or within 90 days of separation from the service. You
must meet all requirements including presenting your properly completed
certification of experience within 120 days after separation. |
More
Detailed Information |
|
|
|