Nomad lifestyle with a commercial drivers license

[Minivandreams]

I really want to get into this lifestyle soon and make south dakota my domicile. I am not planning on living but living in arizona for all if not most of the year. Im only 29 so i need to work and want to work. I do currently have a CDL B with school bus endorsement and i like the work i do want to know if i have my CDL in SD can I work in Az as bus driver without transfering license to AZ. Im hoping someone can answer that maybe has gone through this before. Please and thank you in advance

 

[bullfrog]

I managed school transportation for a school district in Kentucky that bordered West Virginia and Ohio so we had drivers from all three states. All we required was a 5 year driving record with a valid driver's license from their state of residence. Most states use a combination of private and district owned fleets so they have their own requirements as well as the type of insurance they carry. I would call a few of the places you plan to work and ask. Since South Dakota isn't with in commuting distance of Arizona I would be more concerned with residency laws and requirements and if they are enforced. Some states require you change your license and registration of vehicles to their state after working there for a month or less. I have put vehicles in a family member's name and borrowed them to keep from having to change them but since you can now only have one CDL in only one state that is a different matter.

 

[CautionToTheWind]

Employer determines that answer. If temporary or supplemental position, you might get away with SD license.

 

[bullfrog]

In the remote area I'm in at a national recreation area, LE's use the state law as an incentive to get problem people to leave as you have to work here to stay here more than 14 days. After 30 days working the state requires you change your driver's license, title, and registration which requires a safety inspection and possibly an emissions inspection. If you don't it is a $500 fine, which can be given again and again so most out of state problem people pay the fine once and move on, several employees have been here long enough to retire with out of state plates though. Welcome to the wild west!

 

[OutdoorFT]

Why not get other endorsements like hazmat? Maybe even shuttle driver for airports/casinos? Are you stuck on school buses?

 

[bullfrog]

National Parks and the companies in them hire lots of seasonal garbage truck drivers and lake areas are always looking for dry storage boat haulers.

 

[CautionToTheWind]

Why not get other endorsements like hazmat? Maybe even shuttle driver for airports/casinos? Are you stuck on school buses?

Unfortunately not so easy. Hazmat is not aligned with school bus. Shuttle driver, if commercial required, is passenger Class B or Class C (not school bus "S" passenger). Manufacturer's weight rating is one criteria dividing each Class.

Unless the OP has the passenger Class B or C and hasn't stated so. Depends on license restrictions.

Garbage truck requires Class B (not a school bus, bus, or passenger license), unless the garbage truck is a detachable unit, then weight determines Class A or B combination.

It can be confusing to the novice. = 28 years in transportation

 

[ArtW]

It depends on state
In Texas a commercial class C lets you drive any class C vehicle, but you need a Passenger endorsement to drive a bus, hazmat to drive hazmat (obvo)
Class B will allow you to drive all class B and C vehicles, but you still need Pass and Hazmat endorsements for those, and Class A lets you drive all of them, but you still need the endorsements
I do believe that Schoolbus was a special category, but included all passenger vehicles, as we had one person driving for my company that also drove schoolbusses
it has however been 20 years so that may have changed

 

[Minivandreams]

Why not get other endorsements like hazmat? Maybe even shuttle driver for airports/casinos? Are you stuck on school buses?


No I'm not stuck I drive shuttle bus for elderly/disabled. I guess I'm just worried about finding income to support myself easily.