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Latest post 02-20-2013 5:31 PM by revvd. 6 replies.
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  • 01-01-2001 12:00 AM

    2011 Senate Bill 496 (Revise commercial vehicle drivers licenses )

    Introduced in the Senate on June 16, 2011, to adopt certain federal motor-carrier safety regulations into Michigan statute, which affects commercial truck driver qualification requirements

    The vote was 25 in favor, 13 opposed and 0 not voting

    (Senate Roll Call 346 at Senate Journal 0)

    Click here to view bill details.
  • 09-28-2011 7:59 PM In reply to

    Re: 2011 Senate Bill 496 (Revise commercial vehicle drivers licenses )

    There is one thing in this legislation that should never have been adopted: that of needing a current Medical certificate to hold a CDL. This sounds good on the surface until one looks at the logistics of this. First, if a driver is temporarily disabled and has to renew his CDL duing that period, he cannot renew it. If he allows the CDL to lapse, he cannot reinstate it without going through training all over again and starting out as a brand-new driiver. A CDL holder has a difficult time even obtaining the Medical Examination form now required as the ATA now holds that form and provides them ONLY to their select group of Occupational clinics, who are usually instructed to perform tests  over and beyond that which is required by the DOT. No hiring carrier will accept an existing, though current Medical Examiner's certificate from another carrier or medical examiner who isnt on 'their list'. A DOT medical exam costs $125 and up-and may in many instances be useless except for the purpose of renewing a CDL. The entire medical certification criteria was recently changed expressly for the purpose of excluding older, experienced drivefrs from the pool of available drivers. Many are excluded simply for having blood pressure readings that are higher than the very low standerd of 130/80 - a standard no other occupaion requires. BMI is also a focus on thesse physicals as it supposedly indicates sleep-apnea (the research does NOT show this). The entire medical standard has been revamped to use regulation to discriminate against the older experienced drivers who know how to do their jobs safely and should therefore command better wages. Once again, FMCSA has placed into regulation 'favors' for the biggest carriers and their deep-pocket lobbyists in Washington - it was enough to require a medical certificate for someone while they actually drive . . . why are we working so hard to erase the long safety records and qualifications of disabled or semi-retired drivefrs who want to keep their CDL??Does a teacher who goes on sabbatical lose their teaching cefrtificate? or an electricial lose their license oif they stop working for awhile? Why, then, are we discriminating against truck drivers while at the same time crying about a driver shortage and importing foreign drivers? This stinks to high-heaven!

  • 09-29-2011 7:59 AM In reply to

    Re: 2011 Senate Bill 496 (Revise commercial vehicle drivers licenses )

    I totally agree with you, this legislation has only one purpose, to disqualify the older expierenced, and dedicated drivers from the work force and into poverty. Once again, Legislators in Lansing are legislating laws on something they have absolutely no clue about.

  • 03-08-2012 5:47 PM In reply to

    • dohan
    • Not Ranked
    • Joined on 03-08-2012

    Re: 2011 Senate Bill 496 (Revise commercial vehicle drivers licenses )

    It's because of a law like this that my father lost his job, he has been a driver his entire adult life and this situation got him unprepared. He is now checking the auto donations programs hoping that he'll find a car that will help him make a living. I wonder what our legislators are thinking when they come up with something like this.
  • 09-15-2012 5:31 PM In reply to

    Re: 2011 Senate Bill 496 (Revise commercial vehicle drivers licenses )

    I think the revisions that they offer here is so good to see. I think they were needed for a long time. So much change was needed and it happen. Glad to see it. window cleaning
  • 10-25-2012 6:30 PM In reply to

    Re: 2011 Senate Bill 496 (Revise commercial vehicle drivers licenses )

    I can only assume that the new rules are aiming for full equity but I somehow doubt that this will be the case. I plan to turn my jetta into a commercial car, I need to know what I should expect in terms of taxes.
  • 02-20-2013 5:31 PM In reply to

    • revvd
    • Not Ranked
    • Joined on 02-19-2013

    Re: 2011 Senate Bill 496 (Revise commercial vehicle drivers licenses )

    When it comes to safety regulations there's never enough. I'd like to feel safe on the road, I'd like to enjoy driving more but I've been in a car accident already and I still have nightmares about the experience. I am worried about the reckless driving, dui or new drivers, I am worried about the risks. The law can prevent some of these.
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