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alrtg	I thought I might post this topic for those here that might have a CDL Driver's License. In the process of attempting to renew my Class A CDL Driver's License here in Maryland, I have learned a couple of things that may save some of you some aggravation when it comes time to renew yours. When the MVA says they will accept an "Original" Birth Certificate or a Certified Copy, they really mean they will only accept a Certified Copy. They will also accept a valid current Passport instead of the Birth Certificate. Here is what I have gone through so far: On my first attempt, I provided my Original Birth Certificate that was issued to my parents at the time of my birth. I also had the document from the Pennsylvania Vital Records office saying they had recorded the information. The ever friendly folks at the MVA informed me that a Birth Certificate issued by the Hospital is NOT acceptable because it was issued by the Hospital. I was further informed that they consider it to be (For a better lack of terminology) , and I quote "a Souvenir". Since I don't have a passport, I needed to get a certified copy of my birth certificate from Pennsylvania's Vital Records office. Their website says I can apply by phone, by mail, or in person (at select offices). I did try calling to ask a question or two but got stuck in "Menu Hell" for almost an hour before giving up. As a result I elected another option. Applying by mail can take "up to 31 weeks" but in person at a few select offices, same day service is available if you apply by 11:00 A.M. then wait three hours for processing. Since my License expires in mid July, I didn't want to risk my mailed in application to actually take 31 weeks to get. I elected to drive five hours one way, stay overnight at a hotel and was at their door when they opened at 8:00 A.M. Three hours later I had a newly printed certified version of my Birth Certificate in hand and was able to make the five hour trip back home. I have now scheduled an appointment to get my license renewed but it won't be until early in June. I am glad I didn't wait until the last minute. Once I hopefully successfully renew my License, I get to wait for it to be mailed to me as they no longer print them at the local offices. What all this means to those of you that have a CDL, I would suggest that you look into what your state will require when it comes time to renew it and begin getting your documents together sooner than later. JMO
TucsonJer	I went through the very same thing when I renewed my license the last year I worked. I had to call the state of Illinois to get a certified copy of my birth certificate. As soon as I retired I gave up my CDL and said good riddance. Jer
WildCat	i still have my class A CDL when I renewed think last year, I need birth certificate and piece of mail with address for the up & coming security change in 2020, but not to renew my lisence. I couldn't find the birth cert except the hospital copy, and it is just display not a real certified copy. For me it is 2 hours to go to the court house where my records are and I make trips there a couple times a month. Just have to remember to go pick up another. I know I have it here somewhere and even a wallet copy It is odd that I have had my drivers lisence for the past 44 year, but now need to prove who I am. You would think they would realize that it is me. But to have to prove it is me is crazy as hell. Went to transfer a could titles and get plates for my truck. The Caddy, I didn't put Sue's name on it before I left, they wouldn't let me add it there since she wasn't with me. She is on most of the titles including the new truck. But because I didn't do it when I filled it out at home no way would they let me put it on there. Had I did it at home in my hand writing would have been ok. Dealing with the government agencies can be challenging. ------------------ Larry & Sue Mayes
ed monahan	Do illegal immigrants have to jump through all those hoops? I thought it was easy to get a fake I D these days.
alrtg	I drove five plus hours on a Sunday evening to Western Pa and spent the night in a hotel so I could be at the Vital Records office when they opened at 8:00 A.M. Monday morning as they offer same day service for walk in's before 11:00 A.M. M-F. For identification I presented my current driver's license, the original Birth Certificate from the Hospital, the document issued a week or so later indicating the birth had been recorded at Vital Records, my original Social Security Card (That is CLEARLY marked "Not to be used for Identification") and some other documents with my name and current address on them. Once I waited the "Three hour processing time and had the needed document, I got to drive another five hours home. In other words, I presented items the MVA would not accept as identification so I could get one they will accept. It makes absolutely no sense to me. It probably cost me the better part of $400.00 to get that $20.00 certified copy of my Birth Certificate after taking a day off from work, paying the Tolls, and Hotel costs. Tomorrow afternoon I have my second appointment at the MVA to try it again. I hope that I will have enough to satisfy them this time around. Update June 01, 2018 My trip to the MVA went well this afternoon and I was able to get my CDL renewed without any further complications. This message has been edited by alrtg on 06-01-2018 at 04:41 PM