Hi everyone. Ive wanted to drive a semi my entire life. I basically grew up in a truck. My father drove truck most of his life. Unfortionatly my driving record used to be really bad. I had a habitual trafic offense wich I lost my liscence for five years. That was about 8-10 years ago. My liscense has been fairly decent lately. I think I only have a seatbelt ticket in the last 3 years. No speeding tickets or anything like that. I used to work fuelling semis and loading trailers, and hooking up the right truck to the right tralers ect.. when I was yunger. So I know how to drive a truck fairly well. But unfortionatly I have to take Pain meds perscribed by my doctor on a daily basis for nerve damage. The meds do not affect me in no way at all as far as driving, and I do have a valid drivers liscense. Also, I have a felony drug charge from 4 years ago for possesion of a controlled substance. Do these things ruin all my chances of ever driving truck??? Im 35 years old. What is your honest opinion?? Do I have a chance of ever having a driving job???

My best bet for you would be to call your local DMV or DOT good luck

Dave O,Let's start with the speeding tickets.Dmv records in most states go back only 6 years.the speeding tickets should be off your record by now.Seat belt violations.I don't think that should have any effect.Pain meds.You would have to get off of them.Perhaps a non-prescription drug for pain might work.Nerve damage.As long as you and your doctor both feel that this won't hinder your ability to operate a CMV,I don't see a problem.The big problem is that felony conviction.Most employers check your DMV and your criminal background.Now,you may still be able to obtain a CDL through your state since the controlled substance had nothing to do with a CMV.The other problem is that when you go to do a job application,there is usually a box to check" Have you ever been convicted of a felony".If you check,yes,you proably won't get the job.If you check,no,and they do a background check,you most surely won't get the job.The economy is in a free fall right now.Employers for the most part can pick and chose.The drivers out there now that show a clean record on their Dmv,criminal background,credit history and job experience,will be first in line.That felony,kicks you back to last in line.

Is it illegal to have a cdl liscense while being perscribed narcotics or is it just an insurance thing with the companies??? Would it be possible to get of the pain meds to get a job then take them again if I need them with a doctors perscription? I know it would be hard to find a job with the felonys. But the pain meds are my bigest concern. My dad has a few really good friends who own smaller trucking companys so I think I would be able to line up a job even with the felonys. But Im worried about the pain meds. I almost have to take them to function. They dont effect my driving in any way but without them I can hardly walk. I can get off them to pass a drug screen but I wouldnt be able to stay off them very long. Can you drive a commercial vechile while being perscribed pain medication by a doctor??? I was wondering if its a law or just an insurance thing?? I relize they can drug test you at any time even with a regular driverse liscense they can say your driving under the influance if your in an accident and you say you just took your pain meds and thats what caused the accident. But they cant take my driverse liscense just because Im persribed pain meds for cronic pain. Im just wondering how it works with a cdl liscense. If I would be able to take my medication when I was done driving. As long as I wasnt under the influance of it while I was driving. Im sure i would have to be completely off them to get a job. But with a perscription could I have them in my system if I was to get drug tested down the road without getting in trouble. Keep in mind they stay in your system for up to a week after taking them. So I could test positive even if I wasnt under the effects of it at all. How does this work with a CDL and pain meds?????

NO. You need to refer to the FMCSR. Here's what the FMCSR § 392.4 (c) Drugs and other substances says; you can use or have in possession a substances administered to a driver by or under the instructions of a licensed medical practitioner who has advised the driver that the substances will not affect the driver's ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.

Here's your problem. How are you going to show that the doctor has advised you on your meds? To me that would mean a letter and I think you'll have a very difficult time having your doctor sign such a letter. If you go without such proof and have a DOT test you'll be nail to the cross and have more headaches than you could ever believe. Talk with your doctor and find out what he or she says. If you get the letter you problems are over.

So I would take that route and don't even bother to get off the meds. If you need them then take them. Doctors know how you build up a tolerance to some meds so you might have a chance.

I go to a pain clinic for my pain meds and Ive been on them for 15 years. I have a really good doctor and I think I have a really good chance of getting a letter from him. Would I have to tell the company that Im applying at that Im perscribed narcotics if I have the letter from my doctor? I relize when I go for my phisical and drug screen that Im going to have to show them the letter and perscription for the positve test for pain meds. But are they even allowed to tell the company that i am perscibed something. I know at other jobs that Ive had to take a drug screen I would always show them my perscription for my pain meds and give them my doctors phone no. and they never said I tested positive for narcotics to the employer. they just said I passed the screening. Now thats not for a driving job though so it might be completely diferant. But dont you have some type of confodentiality with the doctor who is giving you the phisical and drug screening? My father ocationally drives a trip here and there for a guy who owns 4 trucks to help the guy out when he is in a bind. Would I have a better chance trying to get a job with someone like that rather then a large company? Im just worried about the companys insurance if they find out I am perscribed pain meds. If it would ruin any chance I would have. I was offered a jod driving a tow truck (semi). The guy said he would let me use his truck to get my cdl and everything. He didnt even care that I have to take pain meds. He also has to take them. He owns a large towing service. But the Pay was lowsy and I would be on call 24 hrs a/day. And I didnt know if it would help me out with a driving carrer besides obtaining my cdl liscence. Thanks for answer all my questions.

If it were me I wouldn't tell anyone unless I was asked. I don't know what pain meds you're on but some don't even show up. I have taken Lortab and nothing but Codine came back positive. The last few times I went in for a drug test they said they did not want to know what meds I was taking. That's because if you come back positive the MRO (the company doctor) is required to contact you and ask you what you are taking and what for.

I've been in the chronic pain game for many years also and I'm sure you know by now how people react when they find out what you're taking. You know what would happen if you told a company you're trying to get hired on with. They'd stop right there and either move on to another driver or do alot of checking. And you know when alot of checking happens they'll just say lets not hire this guy.

Besides, I believe you're better off driving for an O/O but you might have problems with insurance. You would need to sit down with the regulations and your letter in hand and discuss the whole situation with him.

Your experience that you listed before in the yard equals 0. You know nothing about driving just because you can move them around in the yard. Also you CAN NOT take a tow truck for a road test no matter how big the rig is. You've got to have a trailer.

You've got a extremely hard road to go with your past record and your pain meds. I don't think many companies will take the risk with you. That's why it might be better to go with the O/O so you can get some SAFE driving miles behind you. Personally I don't think you're ready to be a truck driver. Not without some very good training. The word "Habitual" would shy me away from hiring you no matter how long ago. Maybe they would not find out your past but just reading your postings it seems to me that you think you can drive somewhat already and want to be turned loose on the road. Again I say you need some good training. And I don't necessarily mean a school because it sounds like you might have the people there that might be able to teach you how to become professional. And that word professional does not mean you're just getting paid for your work it means a way of life. That's my 2¢ I hope it helped.

I think, as usual, Gashauler offers good advice. I would add 2 problems I see. A felony record: we used to have to be bonded, and I would think that hasn't changed. Don't think you can pass that test. #2 Insurance: Mort insurance companys won't insure a driver with a drug or achohol conviction for 7 years. Don't think you can pass that test. If you are serious about cleaning up your life and driving get some real help with the persoal side and perhaps someone would hire you for a local job. Their is no quick fix.

The felony shouldn't be a problem, I worked for a company that had several felons, you'll be prohibited from going to Canada, (no great loss) you may be denied a Hazmat endorsment.
If the medication is prescribed for pain and the doctor says you can drive, that shouldn't be an issue.
I know people with worse records driving truck.

Thanks for the advice. My drug 2 drug convictions are from 6 years ago. Both are just possesion tickets one for less then 1 gram of marjiana, and one for unmeasurable amounts of cocaine(residue). Like I say they are from 6 years ago. Since then Ive just had a seatbelt ticket. My habitual driving offensees were from when I was really yung. Muy driving record is really pritty good for the last 5-6 years. My insurance is hardly anything, and Ive never had any alchohol tickets. Anyway, Thanks for all the advice!!!!