New CDL Requirements Effective July 1, 2015

New federal requirements for commercial drivers go into effect on July 1, 2015, and the Illinois Secretary of State is implementing these changes for all Illinois CDL holders.  The changes are:
 
1. After July 1, 2015, anyone applying for, renewing, or upgrading their CDL is required to show the SOS office proof of legal presence in the United States.  To do this you must present a current US Passport or a US Birth Certificate or other legally accepted proof of US citizenship or legal residence.  These documents must be certified with the official raised seal, no photocopies will be accepted.  This is a one time requirement.  If your CDL expires within the next 12 months and you do not have these documents handy, you can renew early and so long as you renew prior to July 1, you will not need to show these documents until your next cycle of renewal.  Anyone renewing or applying for a license after July 1 must show proof of legal residence in the USA or you will not be issued a CDL until you can do so.  
 
2.  The road test for CDL drivers is also changing on July 1.  You will have to perform a 100 foot straight line backing test, a parallel park test and offset to the left or right backing test.  All 18 Illinois CDL road test locations are upgrading their facilities in order to accomodate these new road test requirements, and ALL CDL ROAD TEST OFFICES WILL BE UNAVAILABLE TO OFFER A ROAD TEST FROM JUNE 29 TO JULY 5 while the facilities are being upgraded.  The Effingham facility cannot accomodate the new requirements, and will no longer be offering road tests at this location after June 28.  Effingham will be replaced by a new road test facility in Charleston, IL which will open on July 6.  The written test is not changing and all facilities will be offering the written skills test without interruption.  To see a list of CDL offices and road test locations click here.  
 
Click here for a 2 page fact sheet from the Sec of State that explains the new proof of legal domicile requirements as well as new requirements for the Commercial Learner's Permit.  Click here to see a diagram of the new CDL road test requirements that will also be effective on July 1, 2015.  IFCA thanks the staff at the Sec of State CDL Division for reaching out to us to explain the new requirements so that we can inform our membership.  If you have any questions please contact Jean Payne or KJ Johnson at the IFCA office at 309.827.2774.