Northeastern Retail Lumber Association

ALL NRLA-NY MEMBERS: Non-Commercial Driver’s License Bill Delivered to Governor!

Please contact the Governor today and urge him to sign S.2464/A.7535 “AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to class D driver's licenses.” This bill (S.2464/A.7535) would eliminate the special class of license (Non-CDL C) for trucks with gross vehicle weights between 18,000 and 26,000 pounds. Federal requirements do not apply to drivers of vehicles under 26,000 pounds, and New York is one of only two states requiring a separate license class (Non-CDL C) for vehicles under 26,000 pounds.

ACT NOW Urge Gov. Pataki to SUPPORT this legislation!

Step 1: Please copy the following letter onto your letterhead and FAX or E-mail to Gov. Pataki by Friday, July 22 to SUPPORT this legislation.

Gov. George E. Pataki
Fax: 518-474-1513
E-mail: www.state.ny.us/governor/
and click on “Contact the Governor”

Step 2: Please e-mail a copy of any correspondence to: Aisha Tator, at aisha@nrla.org, or fax a copy of your letter to: 518-286-1949.

July 18, 2005

Honorable George E. Pataki
State Capitol
Albany , New York 12224
VIA FACSIMILE: 518-474-1513

Re: S.2464/A.7535-AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to class D driver's licenses Dear Governor Pataki: As an independent building material supplier and a member of the Northeastern Retail Lumber Association (NRLA), I am writing to urge you to sign into law legislation (S.2464/A.7535) that will eliminate the Non-CDL C driver’s license requirement.

This bill would eliminate the special class of license (Non-CDL C) for trucks with gross vehicle weights between 18,000 and 26,000 pounds. Federal requirements do not apply to drivers of vehicles under 26,000 pounds, and New York is one of two states that currently has a separate license class (CDL-C) for vehicles under 26,000 pounds.

The members of the NRLA and others in the retail lumber industry utilize heavy trucks that fall under the Non-CDL C licensure to transport lumber and goods to work sites. This bill would alleviate an administrative and financial burden for the independent building material suppliers. We struggle with locating and hiring personnel meeting the Non-CDL C license qualifications and must provide additional compensation for those with the required license. Meanwhile, any individual with a class D license can rent a vehicle with gross vehicle weight between 18,000 and 26,000 pounds without having the Non-CDL C license. This bill would assist our members greatly by not requiring a special class of license to conduct our business.

It is for the above reasons that I urge you to support the enactment of this bill.

Sincerely,

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