BROOKVILLE, Pa. – Residents looking to obtain or renew a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) should be aware of several recent changes to the requirements, especially with regard to birth certificates as proof of citizenship, confirmed Rep. Cris Dush (R-Jefferson/Indiana).
The changes are a result of Act 49 of 2015, which is designed to enhance public and driver safety while making the process a bit simpler for those who want to renew a CDL.
“Even though most of these changes went into effect earlier this year, we still have a lot of people throughout the 66th Legislative District who are unaware that they have to produce an official state birth certificate as valid proof of citizenship when they go to their driver’s license center to renew or obtain their CDL,” said Dush. “The good news is that you don’t have to write to the Pennsylvania Department of Health or make a last-minute trip to New Castle. Simply stop by or contact one of my district offices for assistance with obtaining a new copy of your birth certificate. The important thing is that you do so well in advance of needing the birth certificate.”
Under Act 49, all new CDL applicants and current holders required to renew or make any changes or upgrades to their CDL will need to do so in person. License holders are required to prove citizenship or legal presence in the form of a birth certificate, passport, naturalization documents or current immigration documents in person.
All applicants’ birth certificates must have the raised Pennsylvania seal to apply for a CDL registration and renewal. Most birth certificates issued prior to Sept. 11, 2001, are not sufficient.
CDL applicants can apply for a current Pennsylvania birth certificate at Dush’s Brookville and Punxsutawney district offices. The cost of a new state-issued birth certificate is $20 per copy. The estimated lead time for processing a birth certificate application is four weeks.
Also under the law, residency documents will be required initially, at renewal and any time an address change occurs. Proof of residency can be accomplished by providing tax records, lease agreements, mortgage documents, a W-2 form, current weapons permit, current utility bills (water, gas, electric, cable, etc.), a letter from PennDOT or current Pennsylvania license.
Other notable changes extend annual physical and vision exams for school bus drivers to 13 months; change descriptions of CDL classifications; modify testing requirements for the removal of driving restrictions; and change the way permits are issued.
More information is available by visiting www.RepDush.com and then clicking on the “CDL Changes” tab on the left.
(Photo courtesy of PA State Rep. Cris Dush)
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