Wheels of Justice

Too many licenses to keep a job

Question: In 2002, my husband and I moved to North Carolina, where I obtained a driver’s license after turning in my license from South Carolina. In 2003, I moved to Georgia, turned in my North Carolina driver’s license, and obtained one for Georgia.
     In 2006, my husband asked me to team up with him OTR. On the advice of the recruiter, I obtained my Georgia CDL permits and went to truck driving training school. Once in school, I got another CDL permit for Iowa. Then after passing all the driving tests, I received an Iowa CDL permit, turned in my Georgia driver’s license, my Georgia CDL permits and my Iowa permit. After I finished my OTR training, my husband and I returned to our home state of Tennessee, where I got my Tennessee CDL permit.
     In 2007, my husband and I decided to work for another company. We contacted their recruiter, and they checked our driving re-cords. That is when I found out that I had three active driver’s licenses for North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee. What a mess!
     The new carrier almost didn’t hire me because of this. After about a month, I was told by the carrier to wait the problem out, and to keep a copy of the letters and faxes with me in the truck and hope that I don’t have a DOT officer check my driver’s license.
     Is there anything that can be done to clean this matter up? 
Answer: You do have a mess. If you currently have a valid CDL, keep it and any other license you have in that CDL license state.  You will need to turn in and request that the other states cancel any other license you have from them. Your objective is to have one driver’s license, as required by law.
     I suggest that you send a letter by certified, return receipt mail to each state where you are having an issue with licenses. Include in the letter: (1) any state or CDL license you have to turn in, other than your Tennessee license, (2) a statement that you are a CDL driver in Tennessee, including the Tennessee license number and a photocopy of the Tennessee CDL, (3) a request that they cancel any driver’s licenses you have in their state because you have a valid CDL from Tennessee, (4) a request that they mail back to you, in a self-addressed, stamped letter you will include, proof that they have cancelled their driver’s licenses for you, and (5) a request that they modify their computer system to show you are in compliance with their licensing program.
     Working with bureaucrats in the states can be frustrating. I know this because 20% of CDL drivers who hire our law firm need help because of an error made by a state employee. It isn’t fair, but the errors can cost you your job.