Obtaining a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) is a legal and safety requirement for operating large trucks in the United States. Drivers must undergo rigorous training and pass both written and practical exams. However, fraudulent practices in obtaining CDLs still exist and pose serious risks on public roads. When unqualified individuals drive large commercial vehicles, the likelihood of catastrophic accidents increases significantly.
Requirements to Obtain a Commercial Driving License (CDL)
Acquiring a CDL involves several important steps, which vary slightly by state but generally include:
- Studying a CDL handbook
- Passing a written knowledge test
- Obtaining a commercial learner’s permit
- Completing behind-the-wheel training
- Passing a driving skills test
Applicants must be at least 18 years old to drive intrastate and 21 for interstate routes. The process for Class A and Class B CDLs may take several weeks, depending on training programs.
Depending on the CDL you’re pursuing (Class A or B), the process can take 1-8 weeks. An individual who wants to obtain a commercial truck driving license needs to be above 18 years old and the written test and driving test gauge the skill of the driver in handling commercial vehicles. Neighboring countries like Mexico and Canada require similar testing and training for truckers with the passage of the USMCA. Unfortunately, while most truck drivers get their license through legitimate proper channels, a number of truck drivers and other institutions have been discovered to rig the system in order to obtain/issue the license.
Way of Committing Trucking License Fraud
There are several known methods of CDL fraud, including:
- Falsified Documents: Using fake IDs or birth certificates to meet age requirements or bypass other eligibility rules.
- Bribery: Bribing school officials is hot in the news right now, but it’s really nothing new. Illegally obtaining CDLs by bribing DMV personnel or third-party testing agents.
- Fake Medical Certificates: Submitting fraudulent health evaluations, including cases of “doctor shopping” to get medical clearance despite disqualifying conditions.
- Test Cheating: Using hidden communication devices, like Bluetooth earpieces, during exams to receive answers from outsiders.
- Fraudulent Instructors: Instructors passing students without proper evaluation or practical driving assessments.
- Falsification by Truck Driving School: We’ve also seen cases whereby the truck driving schools themselves were guilty of making a deal with a testing agency and/or the DMV to give false certification for students. In one particular case, nearly 623 students were falsely given certifications. When they were retested, only 142 were able to pass the test.
Collusion by Driving Schools: Truck driving schools issuing fake certifications in partnership with testing centers or state agencies. In one case, over 600 drivers were licensed fraudulently, but only a small percentage passed upon re-examination.
Dangers of Fraudulent Truck Licenses
With over 3.5 million commercial truck drivers operating across the country, unlicensed or underqualified drivers represent a serious public safety issue. Fraudulent CDL holders may lack the training to respond to emergency situations, increasing the risk of fatal accidents. Safety experts estimate that tens of thousands of commercial drivers may have acquired licenses through illegitimate means. There are about more than 3.5 million truck drivers.
While states have tightened laws and implemented strict penalties regarding fraudulent commercial licenses, but many slip through the cracks of the legal system. The reality is that there are still a lot of unskilled truck drivers with fake CDLs. They pose a significant danger to everyone on the road.
The exact number of fraudulent truck drivers can probably be never known. But safety experts predict that there might be more than tens of thousands of commercial truck drivers with bogus licenses. A truck driver with a license obtained through duping the system is like a criminal at large. The drivers may not know how to react to dangerous road accidents and they have not passed any official testing or requirements.
Contact Professional Truck Accident Lawyer
While the majority of commercial drivers are properly trained and licensed, some companies have hired drivers who bypassed legal requirements. These negligent hiring practices can lead to devastating consequences for accident victims. If you were injured in a truck accident involving a potentially unlicensed or unqualified driver, you may be entitled to compensation.
A truck accident attorney can:
- Investigate driver and company credentials
- Identify any signs of CDL fraud
- Build a compelling case based on liability and negligence
- Help maximize your compensation through settlement or litigation
If you have been injured in a truck accident, you need to contact a professional accident lawyer to file a claim. A truck accident attorney will carry out a thorough investigation to prepare evidence for your claim.
You should know your rights when it comes to truck accidents cases. Having a qualified truck accident attorney by your side will increase the chances of a successful court outcome. Experienced truck accident lawyers have years of experience in handling cases involving tankers, trailers, semi-trucks and large commercial trucks. They know about the fraud that some drivers involved in truck accidents commit to obtain licenses. Licensing fraud warrants strict penalties. The guilty party must pay a high price for the injuries caused to another due to negligence that led to a truck accident.
Getting the help of a qualified truck accident attorney will ensure that your rights are protected. You can rest assured of the likelihood of maximum possible payout when you hire a professional accident attorney to fight your case.