DAYTON, Ohio (WKEF) — The way you can a get a commercial driver’s license in Ohio is getting an upgrade.
Lt. Governor Jon Husted, director of InnovateOhio, announced three new modernizations for state truck drivers that makes obtaining and renewing a commercial driver’s license (CDL) easier without lowering standards.
The upgrades were developed through InnovateOhio and the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).
“This state relies on truck drivers and the logistics industry to move all things we make,” said Husted. “Ohio is the heart of it all, we make all kinds manufactured products, we move agriculture, we move lots of things out of state and truck drivers are essential to that. So, anything we can do to help create more truck drivers in the workforce, and make it easier to stay in the workforce that’s what this announcement is about today,” said Husted.
Husted said a variety of professions will benefit from these improvements.
“The CDL is the probably the most in demand job credential that anyone can get, because we need to move everything that we make and everything that we use. It’s usually brought to you in some way by a truck and that requires someone with a CDL,” Husted said.
CDL Online Renewal
Beginning October 2023, Ohio truckers can now renew their CDL online. Ohioans can already renew their regular driver’s license online, and extending this to truckers means they no longer have to travel to a deputy registrar location and wait in line. Now, they can renew at the click of a button and receive their new license in the mail.
CDL Testing Modernization
Additionally, CDL testing has been modernized so Ohio truckers seeking their CDL are tested on real-world scenarios. The updated test will more accurately require knowledge of modern vehicles and skills needed for a CDL holder to safely operate a vehicle. Modernizing the testing requirements will improve the process for future truckers to earn their CDL and obtain good paying jobs in Ohio without removing the knowledge-testing standards that matter when they are on the road.
Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) Extended
The commercial learner’s permit (CLP) has been increased from six months to 12 months. This gives individuals an additional six months of commercial driver training before it expires and saves them money from having to purchase a CLP every six months.
Husted said there are more than 388,000 active commercial drivers licenses in Ohio. Ohio has jobs in two major truck driving occupations, heavy and tractor-trailer truck and light truck or delivery services, which are expected to increase by a combined seven percent by 2030,
OhioMeansJobs.com currently has more than 7,000 jobs posted for CDL holders in Ohio. For more information about a career in the trucking industry or to apply, you can go online or visit your local OhioMeansJobs center.
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