So….you were a trucker with your commercial driver’s license (CDL) in the past, but you decided to pursue a different industry for a few years.
But, like many, you felt the call of the road was too hard to ignore, so you want to get back in a truck again. However, you don’t know what the next step is.
Can you just apply at a trucking carrier and get behind the wheel again?
The short answer (unfortunately) is that you must go through a few steps before you can start driving a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) again…and it all depends on the state you’re licensed in.
We know you want to get behind the wheel again, so we’re here to answer all the questions on your mind.
As a former CDL holder, you can trust that these are the steps I’d follow if I decided to start truck driving again.
If you’ve let your CDL expire, the way you’ll get it back depends on the state you live in. In general, you can expect the following process:
Let’s talk through each step.
To be able to drive a CMV, you need to have a valid medical card. This card, provided by a certified medical examiner, deems you physically able to drive.
Renewing your medical card isn’t as simple as finding a doctor and having them sign a piece of paper. You probably remember the drill from your driving days — you have to get a Department of Transportation (DOT) physical exam, which also includes a review of your medical history.
If something pops up in your health history or during your physical, you may not receive a medical card until you get the medical condition under control. For instance, if you have high blood pressure, your medical examiner will recommend that you manage that condition before you can get behind the wheel of a Class-8 vehicle.
When you’re searching for a clinic or doctor to perform your DOT physical, keep in mind that you need to be examined by a qualified medical examiner. Your medical examiner should have undergone special training to perform DOT physicals.
Related: Why you shouldn’t doctor shop
The process is different in each state, but many states require you to retake the CDL skills test if your CDL has expired. To determine what your state requires, you can visit your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS).
The test consists of three parts:
As a reminder, the vehicle inspection is a pre-trip inspection test. The basic controls test requires you to perform and pass backing maneuvers. The road test is exactly what it sounds like: The examiner will sit in the truck with you while you drive.
If you’re retaking the basic controls test, the layout of the backing exercises may be new. If your state has adopted the modernized testing standard, you’ll complete a straight line back, an offset, and a parallel park.
If you retest in an automatic, you’ll be restricted to automatics only. If you retest in a manual, you’ll have no restrictions and can drive either a manual or an automatic.
Related: Take CDL practice tests
In some cases, depending on the state you live in, you may have to retake the CDL written test, which covers your knowledge of CMV operation and safe driving practices.
For example, some states will make you take this test again if a longer length of time has passed since you initially earned your CDL.
If you pass the required tests, you’ll have to pay a fee to renew your CDL — something you’ll have to do regularly if you intend to keep driving. Prepare to pay an application fee and a renewal fee. You may even have to pay a late fee.
The renewal fee should be under $100.
Remember: Even if you pass the tests and pay the fees, you still might not be able to renew your CDL based on your background. For example, certain crimes and felony convictions will prevent individuals from receiving a Class A CDL.
Your next step is to apply with carriers as if you’re a new driver. A lot of carriers require you to have at least six months of experience, and that experience should be continuous. So even if you’ve driven before for years at a time, unfortunately, this experience doesn’t count because it isn’t recent.
This can definitely be frustrating, but it’s like this for a reason. The trucking industry changes often, and new regulations are constantly introduced.
During training, they aren’t going to be teaching you to drive all over again; you already know how to do that. Instead, you’ll be learning more about the company, its values, and its expectations.
Most often, you’ll only spend about 21 to 28 days in a training program before going out on your own again.
Technically, you won’t have to go through trucking school again if you let your CDL lapse and want to renew it.
The federal entry-level driver training mandate (ELDT) states that only individuals pursuing a CDL for the first time are obligated to go through trucking school.
But again, double-check with your state, as requirements vary.
For example, Texas is allegedly considering making all withdrawn CDL holders go through ELDT again if they want to renew their CDLs. In other words, it would be like getting your CDL all over again. Again, it’s important to note that this would be a state requirement if it passes.
Also of note are the special requirements if you’re upgrading a lapsed Class B to a Class A, you’re trying to earn your Class B for the first time, or you’re trying to earn your hazmat endorsement for the first time. There’s an abbreviated ELDT path you must take to earn these for the first time.
If you had your commercial learner’s permit (CLP) and never earned your CDL, you’ll have to go through ELDT.
By now, you’re probably wondering which carriers you can work with once you’re ready to rejoin the trucking world. We’ve gathered a list to help you determine which carriers you can start driving for as soon as you renew your CDL.
Some of these companies split drivers up depending on whether they’ve just left trucking school for the first time or if they just let their CDL lapse and are reentering the industry.
Swift Transportation provides trucking jobs for both recent graduates and beginners, so you can work for them after renewing your CDL.
Depending on your level of previous driving experience, you’ll work for up to 300 hours with a driving mentor.
Prime has programs for new drivers to get paid while they earn their CDL. New CDL drivers drive with a trainer for 50,000 miles.
Roehl Transport has options for drivers at every stage of their careers.
As a top safety-rated trucking company, they have great training, support, and pay.
Schneider is committed to fostering the next generation of drivers, so whether you’ve driven for years or you don’t have a lot of experience under your belt, they’re a good choice.
At Werner Enterprises, you’ll receive hands-on onboarding and training after renewing your CDL. They have driving options for local, regional, and over-the-road (OTR) drivers.
At Maverick, experienced drivers need more than six months of experience. So if you’ve recently driven for over six months, you can join the team as an experienced driver.
If your driving experience was too long ago, they have a “student program.” Training is paid, and your earnings will increase at three months and six months.
The Halvor Gold CDL Training Program is a paid CDL training program. Halvor Lines can also help you upgrade your Class B to a Class A.
Halvor Lines offers flatbed, reefer, dry van, and decked van jobs.
Nussbaum Transportation is in the Best Fleets to Drive for Hall of Fame. They offer both CDL training and a driver mentoring program that can help get you up to speed on the changes in the trucking industry.
At PAM Transport, you need one year of tractor-trailer experience within the past three years to start driving with them. If you don’t have that, you can go through their CDL training program.
When you’re deciding on the carrier you want to drive for, find one that aligns with your career goals and your budget.
For example, if you want to be a flatbed driver, choose a CDL training program that helps you learn flatbeds. Even better, do it with a carrier you want to work for in the long run. If applicable, they'll likely pay for your schooling as long as you're willing to commit time to them post-schooling.
It can be discouraging to feel like a brand-new driver again, but a willingness to learn is one of the biggest indicators of a successful driver.
Getting back on the road after letting your CDL expire might feel overwhelming, but you’re not starting from scratch — you’re simply picking up where you left off, with a few extra steps to get road-ready again. From renewing your medical card and retaking your tests to finding a carrier that fits your goals, each piece of the puzzle brings you closer to that first dispatch.
Whether you’ve been out of the game for a year or a decade, the industry still needs safe, reliable drivers — and you already know what it takes. So take it one step at a time, find a carrier that believes in second chances, and get back to doing what you were built for. The open road is waiting.
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