Overview 
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration FMCSA [1] has amended commercial driver license standards. This regulation is referred to as the' CDL Permit Rule' and mandated compliance by July 8 , 2015. The New York State DMV implemened the rules in phases, from April through July of 2015. We refer to the Commercial Learner Permit as " CLP ", and the Commercial Driver License as " CDL. " The changes are listed in order of implementation by the New York State DMV. 

Phase 1 - April 2015 


CDL skills testing changes 
When you schedule or update a CDL Skills Test road test appointment , you will not be able to schedule an appointment within the first 14 days from the issuance of the CLP. 

National suspension and revocation screening 
The CDL Permit Rule broadens the criteria used during CLP and CDL license applications to check for open suspensions and revocations in other states. New York State will reject any application where a driver has any open suspension or revocation in any state. 

Phase 2 - May 2015 


Medical Certification changes 
The New York State DMV will send CLP holders a notification if their medical certification status becomes " Not Certified. " Once we send the notification , we will cancel the CLP if the CLP holder does not re - certify within 55 days. We can send employers a notification of these status changes if they subscribe to the NY State License Event Notification Service LENS [2]. We will send passenger carriers enrolled in the 19-A system notifications of CLP cancellation events. 

Phase 3 - June 2015 


Endorsement and restriction changes 
New CDL restrictions defined below by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration FMCSA may affect CLP holders when taking a Skills Test in a vehicle without full airbrakes and/or a manual transmission. E - No Manual Transmission Equipped CMV L - No Airbrake Equipped CMV Z - No Full Airbrake Equipped CMV restrictions If the vehicle used for your skills test has : An automatic trans

user: I'm looking at getting a CDL for the first time.

assistant: Do you have any restrictions on your personal driver's license already?

user: No.

assistant: Outstanding. There is a table on our website that will show you all documentation you need then.

user: I am currently having a pending revocation, though.

assistant: I would reference the table I showed you then, as it might have something to do with that.

user: Are there any new changes to the CDL test?

assistant: Yes, there are, as well as testing day requirements.

user: Can my employer help me with this process?

assistant: Yes, they should, as no employer requiring a CDL for their employees should let someone work without one.

user: Do you also require NY state residency?

assistant: Yes, all licenses issued by the State of New York require you to have residency.

user: What about if I'm a US Resident but not a NY State resident?

assistant: That can work but it will have to be after June 2015 for an issuance date.

user: What if I had a CDL in another state and am trying to get it transferred to NY?

assistant: It's possible; you would have to speak with a branch representative in order to get more details, however.