White Strengthens CDL Licensing Policy for
Out-of-State CDL Holders Seeking Illinois CDLs
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White announced today that effective May 1, 2008 out-of-state CDL holders moving to Illinois must take and pass the written and road tests before they are issued an Illinois CDL. Illinois is the first state in the nation to require these tests for licensed CDL holders moving from another state.
"Since I took office I have continuously worked to implement CDL reforms that help make Illinois roadways among the safest in the nation," said White. "This new policy change further ensures that our state will not issue a CDL to any driver until he or she displays a thorough comprehension of the rules of the road as well as the physical ability to operate a commercial motor vehicle safely and responsibly."
This policy change comes after Secretary White's office worked closely with the US Marshal's Office, US Attorney's office and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to uncover testing irregularities involving the issuance of CDLs in other states. These efforts helped to uncover a pattern in certain states where drivers who spoke little to no English and had questionable driving skills nevertheless obtained a CDL from those states. Upon obtaining their CDL, these drivers could then move to another state and exchange the CDL from their former state for a CDL in their new state without having to take both the written and road tests.
This policy change has received praise from law enforcement and trucking industry representatives. "Anything we do to enhance traffic safety is a step in the right direction as far as law enforcement is concerned," said Commercial Vehicle Task Force member Lt. David Beasley of the Illinois State Police.
"We support this initiative as a means to promote better traffic safety," said Don Schaefer, Executive Vice President of the Mid-West Truckers Association.
"I applaud Secretary White for taking this stand, and wish all states would take this issue as seriously as Illinois," said Doug DeFilippo, Safety Manager for FS Insurance Agency, a subsidiary of Growmark, Inc.
Approximately 2,400 drivers per year seek to exchange an out-of-state CDL for an Illinois CDL. With 19 Illinois CDL facilities operating statewide that perform the pre-trip, skill and road exams, the impact of this new policy will amount to less than one additional road exam per facility each day.
"My office will continue to do whatever is necessary to further ensure all Illinois CDL holders are safe and responsible drivers, whether they obtain their initial CDL from Illinois or from another state," said White.
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