WWYD - Should I get a CDL??

[etoiles]

Hi all!

I could really use some advice on this one. I am an art teacher at a school. This is my second year teaching at that school. It's a small school and last year they had vans that you could use to take field trips and use to go out with the kids. Since the vans were normal vehicles you did not need any special license to drive them. This year the school got small school buses to use. To drive a school bus you need to get certified for a CDL.

The principal asked for volunteers to learn and get certified to drive the buses and so I volunteered. Volunteering gets me some good thoughts by the principal and he is very appreciative of everyone who went through it. Getting the CDL required a physical exam (school paid for), TB test, drug screening, 8 hrs of class and 20 hours of driving practice.

However, I just recently learned that after I get certified to drive the bus my entire driving license would change to a CDL. Right now as a regular driving license you can get up to three violations and be able to take classes, etc, before having your license taken away. With a CDL in Illinois if you get two tickets in one year your license is suspended. This counts as two speeding tickets, accidents, going through a stop sign, etc....

I need my drivers license to get to work. There is no public transportation that would take me there. I should not be too worried because I have never even gotten one traffic ticket since I started driving ten years ago but you never know! I even know someone who got two tickets less than an hour apart.

I do not want to debate about the ethics of speeding or anything like that but I do live in Chicago where drivers are notoriously aggressive so it happens from time to time.

Should I still go for it and please my principal or should I say no thanks, too risky?

 

[yoopermom]

Former teacher here, and a few things come to mind:
1)What kind of a principal wouldn't have thought ahead of time about needing special drivers when converting from vans to busses?
2)Is there a union issue with you in essence displacing a job that a bus driver would be paid for if no teacher volunteered to get the licensing?
3)With the potential serious consequences, I would say absolutely no way.

The ONLY positive to it would be that you could drive truck in the summer for extra pay (where is my truckdriver smilie?). (That's a JK answer, since "some" people here think teachers are wayyyy overpaid and do nothing all summer)

Terri

 

[GeorgeG]

If you're a good driver with a clean history I would say go for it. If you have a history of violations, you may want to consider not getting a CDL. It's true that they are stricter with them. I had a Class A CDL for years up in NY and never got pulled over in my life. I didn't carry over when I moved to Florida only because I needed to have my Social Security card with me and didn't. At my age I really don't need a CDL for anything. I'm not sure about your CDL, but mine was only valid with a current DOT medical clearance card. That might be something to inquire about.

 

[ontariomonkey]

Well if you have never had a ticket then you are either a safe driver or lucky not to get caught haha. You didn't want to talk about the ethics of speeding/driving safely/legally etc so I won't.

Would it be reasonable to do the CDL and see how you go? If you got a ticket then couldn't you downgrade your licence back to regular if you're worried about that second ticket?

 

[etoiles]

Former teacher here, and a few things come to mind:
1)What kind of a principal wouldn't have thought ahead of time about needing special drivers when converting from vans to busses?
2)Is there a union issue with you in essence displacing a job that a bus driver would be paid for if no teacher volunteered to get the licensing?
3)With the potential serious consequences, I would say absolutely no way.

The ONLY positive to it would be that you could drive truck in the summer for extra pay (where is my truckdriver smilie?). (That's a JK answer, since "some" people here think teachers are wayyyy overpaid and do nothing all summer)

Terri

Thanks for the humor! This is a private school with no union so we are even more overpaid that public schools. I think I will take the class and see what they have to say about violations.

Well if you have never had a ticket then you are either a safe driver or lucky not to get caught haha. You didn't want to talk about the ethics of speeding/driving safely/legally etc so I won't.

Would it be reasonable to do the CDL and see how you go? If you got a ticket then couldn't you downgrade your licence back to regular if you're worried about that second ticket?

Good compromise! I hadn't thought of that one. The teacher I was speaking with about this already did have one ticket so I can understand her worry. I'll have to check and see how easy it is to change back.

If you're a good driver with a clean history I would say go for it. If you have a history of violations, you may want to consider not getting a CDL. It's true that they are stricter with them. I had a Class A CDL for years up in NY and never got pulled over in my life. I didn't carry over when I moved to Florida only because I needed to have my Social Security card with me and didn't. At my age I really don't need a CDL for anything. I'm not sure about your CDL, but mine was only valid with a current DOT medical clearance card. That might be something to inquire about.

I believe that it lasts for a year and you must get retested and all that jazz yearly. I do have a good driving record but I am not a perfect driver and make mistakes and that day catching me is what I am worried about!

 

[ginna74]

my husband got his cdl while in school, in between his times of being in the service. He said it was fairly hard and he is a good driver for sure <he is a 88 mic now in the Army>. I am pretty sure there is a criminal background check too?? And you only get a couple of times to do things the "right" way before you are dropped <in his school anyways>. So I would say if you think you can do it then go for it!!!! It is a really NICE thing to have if a horrible thing happens and you loose your job with them. You would have it in your back pocket! Hubby got a couple of jobs that way... having a few one ups on the rest <unfortunately getting laid off due to the economy stuff didn't help>.

 

[cocodog]

I am not sure if your boss is aware of what is required to get a CDL. I supervise a unit at DOT where evryone is required to have a CDL. Not only is it the driving, but in my state it is the "pre-trip checklist". In order to get the license, you must go over the vehicle in detail with the tester. Talk to him about brakes, tires, lenses, etc. Also, this must be performed (by yourself and with a paper form) each time prior to driving the vehicle. If one of my employees gets a DUI, it is SERIOUS business, including loss of job. Your situation may be different, but just wanted to present some issues to think about. (My church mini-bus does not require a CDL in this state.)