Obtaining a CDL different for residents, non-residents

A recent webinar by the Kansas Department of Agriculture provided insight on the process and necessary documentation for obtaining a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) in Kansas, especially for foreign workers.

First there, are differences between a CDL and farm vehicle operations.

Farm vehicle operations refers to any time a farmer transports products, machinery or supplies in a vehicle that is operated by a farmer, their family or employees driving within a 150-mile radius. They are not required to have a commercial driver’s license.

A CDL is needed if a vehicle is being used for profit, which includes workers under the H-2A program.

Below are the documents U.S. workers and foreign workers need to become a Kansas-licensed CDL driver, according to the Kansas Department of Revenue:

Documents needed for H-2A workers:

• I-94 if recent incoming H-2A or I797A Notice of Action if changed status or employer once in U.S.
• Visa
• Passport
• Proof of Social Security (if they have received theirs already) such as card, W2, or tax documents
• g Proof of physical address: Letter of employment or the ETA-790 with the business name having a Kansas address, H-2A name, and Kansas address of residence

Documents needed for U.S. citizens (out of state transfer):

• Valid out of state non-commercial class CDL
• Proof of legal presence such as a state-issued birth certificate or valid passport
• If name is different, a proof of name change such as marriage license, adoption papers or court order
• Proof of social security, such as card, W-2 or tax documents
• Two proofs of physical address

Documents needed for a Kansas resident

• Valid Kansas non-commercial class CDL

To go from a Mexican CDL to an American CDL, Jackie Gray of the Kansas Department of Revenue says it’s the same transfer of fees that someone would have from one state to the other in the U.S. The online test is only for non-commercial class CDL and cannot be taken in another country.

There’s a fee to use the online service. Tests are in English, and will be available in Spanish by late April.

“We are there to be sure the safest driver is on the road,” said Brian Brunt, Kansas CDL coordinator, with the Kansas Department of Revenue. “We have a brand new program that will make it easier and beneficial for the employer, as they get the employees in.”