Possible dumb question

Tichey · Apr 4, 2026

Ridgeline said: ↑

If you applied for a driver's slot in my company, I would have to ask why you are using this. If you told me you were an addict, then I would have to confirm this through my insurance company, which most likely would reject you.

However, if you told me you gamed the system to get on the drug, I would not hire you because it puts me at a huge risk if you get into an accident, and the plaintiffs in any case (actually their scum lawyers) would dig into your background and find this out, they would own my *****. Taking it a bit further, if someone else got into an accident, and the plaintiffs would dig into the company and other drivers (which is known to happen), and they found out you gamed the system, it can be brought up in court as part of trying to trash how we manage drivers.

The bottom line is this - you are a liability for anyone to hire you in this industry.
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And honestly man to man thank you for your honesty

Tichey · Apr 4, 2026

GreenPete359 said: ↑

Why didn’t you ask your Doctor when he/she did your DOT physical? It makes zero sense to hide it from the Doctor and then worry about it now.
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Just to be SURE I NEVER hid ANYTHING from anyone because I knew how absurd it sounds, (basically im asking you if your ok with ME driving a 150 THOUSAND dollar machine (or more) PLUS hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of materials WHILE im taking a drug KNOWN to FORCE PEOPLE to sleep...) yes it sounds stupid to me too honestly so I NEVER hid my situation and YES I've gotten up to having a legitimate cdl, I've only had ONE cdl jobs, hauling water in the oilfield, unfortunately I didn't stay there long because I was homeless at the time, and they ABSOLUTELY did NOT have enough work for me to support me and my wife...so I dont, nor have I ever hid anything from anyone, but it seems at first I was told yes, and everything was working out VERY well, then...I dont know what changed

Tichey · Apr 4, 2026

Tichey said: ↑

And honestly man to man thank you for your honesty
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I honestly ask these questions because I ALREADY travel the country on my own, have been the last 6 years, have basically lived in truck stops, and rest areas in those years, and would like to continue doing so, but while getting paid, and i think a coast to coast OTR job would be ABSOLUTELY perfect for me, i already live in a car, i can have your truck driving as non stop as legally allowed lol but i have literally seen truckers snorting fat ### lines of meth before hopping in their trucks and driving away, I've literally seen them smoking on glass meth pipes before driving off, and I dont know HOW those guys are getting jobs.

lual · Apr 4, 2026

brian991219 said: ↑

It is not a dumb question, however you are in a Catch-22 situation. While Methadone is not explicitly prohibited for use by CDL holders, it is not also expressly permitted. Methadone is a Schedule II narcotic most often used as a treatment for a substance abuse disorder, and having substance abuse problems is a medical disqualification. It is sometimes used for pain management, and if that is why you are using it, find a better treatment plan asap. Now, if it is for substance abuse treatment, and the treatment is being managed with no signs of relapse, it is possible to have a medical examiner sign off that you are ok to drive. To legitimately accomplish this requires answering the questions on the long form honestly, disclosing the prescription medication and providing a note form the treating physician that states the use does not impair your ability to operate a commercial vehicle safely. You will find more information on what the medical examiner is looking for starting on page 88 of the link below:

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulatio...ments/medical-examiners-handbook-2024-edition

Once you find a medical examiner and doctor that will sign off on you being safe to drive, which is seems like you have, then your best chance at finding an employer that will take a chance on you is by looking for one that is SAP friendly, meaning they hire folks that have had previous drug or alcohol issues. Although you are not directly in the SAP category, as you have never failed a DOT drug test, the risk (in the eyes of the fleet) is the same so you need to find a company that knows how to manage and accept that risk. Give them a solid year then you likely can move on to better companies.

While working at one of these SAP friendly companies for a year work on finding an alternate treatment plan that does not rely upon any substitute substance to cure your addiction. This will then allow you to pass any company's internal screening program. @Chinatown can probably help you find a potential employer if you still wish to give this a shot.

Now, to answer your question, Can I drive on Methadone? The short answer is yes, when granted medical certification by a qualified medical examiner in conjunction with your treating physician, however it exposes you to great risk should you have a crash. The attorneys will eat you, and your employer, alive and drag you, and your past, through the court trying to make you out to be a monster. So, even a simple crash that you may not be at fault for can become a huge liability to your employer, and you, because remember you also get named in the lawsuits and they can garnish wages, force sale of assets and such to satisfy judgements.

The risk is great trying to be a driver while using Methadone, even when done lawfully.

The problem with getting that clearance and finding a trucking company that will accept the risk. Unfortunately there are too many bad actors that are not truly healing and are still abusing drugs but trying to stay behind the wheel. Most trucking companies are going to be a hard no on this, just like they are for return to duty applicants. Further, as wis bang said, many times the motor carrier has strict guidelines they must follow from their insurer, and statistically you are at a greater risk for relapse than someone that has never had a problem is of developing a substance abuse problem.

This is also why many trucking companies insist that you get medical clearance form their own medical examiner, even when you have a brand new certificate. They want to make sure the examiner is highly qualified and issuing a certificate while looking at their specific disqualifiers. The trucking company is responsible for having fully qualified drivers, and medical exams are one of the first things that get challenged in court after a crash. You'd be surprised how many certified medical examiners don't really know what they are doing and issue certificates to drivers that are not legally qualified! In today's society a trucking company cannot take that chance, and the good ones will work to make sure someone is truly qualified.
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An extremely thorough....& professional-grade response.

Kudos!!!

-- L

lual · Apr 4, 2026

Suggestion: given all the above responses & info -- before you apply for the likes of Western Express, etc....instead --

try Schneider, FIRST.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained....

-- L

lual · Apr 4, 2026

Truck driver recruiting events | Schneider

Footnote: Schneider is a VERY LARGE, DIVERSE carrier....that is also self-insured.

Because of this distinction -- it's quite possible that their underwriting criteria is different from other, smaller fleets.

Thus -- your odds of a hire there MAY be better.

-- L

tscottme · Apr 4, 2026

Tichey said: ↑

I honestly ask these questions because I ALREADY travel the country on my own, have been the last 6 years, have basically lived in truck stops, and rest areas in those years, and would like to continue doing so, but while getting paid, and i think a coast to coast OTR job would be ABSOLUTELY perfect for me, i already live in a car, i can have your truck driving as non stop as legally allowed lol but i have literally seen truckers snorting fat ### lines of meth before hopping in their trucks and driving away, I've literally seen them smoking on glass meth pipes before driving off, and I dont know HOW those guys are getting jobs.
Click to expand...

That's quite a fantasy you are describing, drivers snorting meth.

tscottme · Apr 4, 2026

Coast to coast OTR is NOTHING like traveling on your own schedule with no electronic monitors. It's a bit more like being an Roman galley slave than a long car trip. You generally are given freight late, have a truck that won't do the speed limit, and are expected to be on-time while 4-wheelers try to jump in front & slam on their breaks.

Tichey · Apr 4, 2026

lual said: ↑

Truck driver recruiting events | Schneider

Footnote: Schneider is a VERY LARGE, DIVERSE carrier....that is also self-insured.

Because of this distinction -- it's quite possible that their underwriting criteria is different from other, smaller fleets.

Thus -- your odds of a hire there MAY be better.

-- L
Click to expand...

Thank you I aWILL give this another shot

Tichey · Apr 4, 2026

tscottme said: ↑

Coast to coast OTR is NOTHING like traveling on your own schedule with no electronic monitors. It's a bit more like being an Roman galley slave than a long car trip. You generally are given freight late, have a truck that won't do the speed limit, and are expected to be on-time while 4-wheelers try to jump in front & slam on their breaks.
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Oh believe me im absolutely under NO illusions that its even remotely the same, matter of fact, I venture the ONLY thing similar is living in a vehicle, biggest difference is, a truck is bigger, and better out fitted for some stuff, BUT trucking IS something I have ALWAYS wanted to do, something about it it just calls to me

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