Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk Aldeer General Forum CDL question

I think I know answer but the trooper post was closed so I thought I’d ask here.

My BIL tagged the grain truck commercial and now is going to get his CDL test. I’m supposed to drive the truck to the test site.
I never got my health card since I only drive our grain from the farm to the CoOp and was tagged farm truck

Do I have to have my health card to drive a commercially tagged tractor trailer for him to get his test?

I told him I did. He’s says he was told I did not.

Thanks in advance

I think a health card is for drivers hauling fuel.

I think you need a medical card. I don’t think Alabama exempts farm trucks from the physical qualifications (medical card) requirements. Just unit weight, hours of service, and marking/registration are exempted.

But I’d still drive it there for him and play dumb if asked.

They don’t care as long as you show up with the $$$$

I never had a health card. I had to had a physical when I first got it in th 90s but it never comes up when I renew.

When I took my CDL test in December 2020 if I remember correctly all they asked for was my CDL permit, the drivers CDL License and proof of insurance on the vehicle. I could be mistaken, but that's how I remember it going.

Wrong


I’ve taken folks before. More than once they checked all my stuff to see if current before they’d even begin on test.

Correct answer. Sometimes they check sometimes they don’t

Right we take several a year have not ask but may start tomorrow

You need it. May not ask for it but you have to have if they do.

I’ve since asked several law enforcement folks since posting
One retired trooper and to PDs. All thought I needed my health card but wasn’t absolutely for sure.
I know when I was taking the test the guy that drove me there was asked for all 3 and we were in a state vehicles do exempt from health card and insurance. Took a little while to get to the right person to let us proceed.

I was finally given a number to call but they’re closed til the morning.

The driver that went with me had to have a cdl. The cdl requires a medical card. Also required were current vehicle tags, dot numbers, vehicle and trailer inspection and sticker, and vehicle registration.

Even with a farm tag u have to have the health card but 150 air miles is a long ways from home

I got caught driving an overloaded short truck load of logs once. No medical card was one ticket i got. Ive never had a cdl.

Anyone driving a commercial vehicle for hire with a current CDL absolutely must have a valid medical card.. most states will even suspend your license if your medical card expires (Valid 2 yrs) while your CDL is current.. . I get a notice in the mail from the State every 2 yrs a month prior to its expiration.. They require a copy be entered into a data base.. In your case just getting the vehicle to the test site for him, I highly doubt you'll have any issues ..

But he’s farm exempt on way there

Every time I renew you have to declare if you are interstate or intrastate as long as you don't cross state line you don't need physical card.

From my understanding if you are driving for-hire, you will need a medical certificate. In AL, you have to send the paper work in or your license will be pulled until so (ask me how I know). The medical clinic will often send to Montgomery for you, but I would also ask for a copy and address and send one in myself ; this is where it went wrong for me. I only let the medical clinic send mine in for me, then I got a letter in the mail saying my license was expired until I sent in the physical. I'm guessing it never made it to the Montgomery or got misplaced ; I never found out. From then on I also send in a an additional copy from my address. I may be over precautious, but I can't go without a CDL. If you work for a municipal style company, you can opt out through an affidavit.

Ive had a cdl since they came about. I have not driven commercially in 26 years other than moving a few tractor trailer loads of hay. I get a letter from Montgomery every 2 years telling me they are suspending my license if I don’t send them a copy of my medical card. Last one cost $150. I dont want to lose my cdl “just in case” so I jump through their hoops.

I’ve had a class a since 2009 and have never had a medical card. I am exempt for any vehicle I drive through work and I am farm exempt from even having to have a cdl for the two trucks I own. I have never received any kind of letter or anything about a medical card. Just got my license renewed last week but I have never driven commercially.