CRST Physical

When I went through orientation all we had to do was show that we could get in and out of the truck with 3 points of contact, get in and out of the trailer, and walk under the trailer. In Oklahoma City there is a new person doing orientation so it may have changed since I went there..

 

Think about how you would walk under a trailer....that's the duck walk

 

A duck walk is moving while squatting . Some carriers having agility tests which are not part of the DOT physical but are done at orientation . This may include climbing , lifting and carrying weights , etc .
Don't feel secure because a private doctor said you are good to go . Research BMI and guidlines for sleep apnea testing . It is up to the doctor to decide if you should be disqualified until tested for sleep apnea . Some use BMI and neck size guidelines .

 

All the duck walk is at crst is to show that you can get under the trailer and make sure your jaws are locked on the fifth wheel, cross members on trailer are ok, etc... I would that would be second nature to anyone that's driving a truck anyways. Crst doesn't make a big deal out of it unless you can't do it. Also I have heard that a person has to show he or she can climb into the back of a trailer as well but that's to be expected as part of your job too. Good luck with deciding.

 

I went through the CRST training in Cedar Rapids last month. I am overweight as well, but everything else is fine (blood pressure was low). When they tested us, they did not do anything regarding the BMI stuff. Now, they may in the future if it is mandated, but they didn't last month.

Just adding to what dmhuges09 said, it is basically just showing you can get under the trailer without busting your head on the frame (literally the safety guy said you pass if you don't bust your head). I am fortunate enough to be short to the point that I barely had to bend at the waist. Of course we also opened and closed the hood while keeping it in control, and got in and out of the trailer. Again, the trailer was simplified in that you could just bend your knee and "roll" in. Oh, and we also just had to step on the catwalk (just the first step really, there were batteries in the way to go all the way). The three points of contact were covered when we did the road test during orientation, so we didn't have to do it again. It wasn't too hard at all really, just things you would normally do.

It seems like the only thing you might have to worry about is your blood pressure. If it is too high on the day that the physician checks it, you will be placed on a hold until you can show it is controlled with medication. Oh, and another thing that got a few of the guys (mainly older) was when they dropped a little sugar in their urine. They were held until they could go to the doctor and prove it wasn't full blown diabetes.

 

First off you should NOT attend a training at a trucking company or at the expense of a trucking company. There are far many reason to even talk about here.
Look on-line for an accredited truck driving school. Some even offer housing. Once you settle on school they will help with money issue. Once you finish your training most school will have trucking companies waiting in the parking lot to start you Over The Road (OTR) training paying you more and paying back your driving school a $100-$300 a week. Which looks fantastic on your credit report and you can switch jobs anytime you want too. Plus you can claim your schooling, equipment, books, housing, meals, loss of pay during training and travel expenses on your tax as a tax credit

I attended New England Tractor Trailer Training School (NETTTS) which has locations in the New England area but doesn't have housing. When I finished my road test I called the company I had pick to work for and told them I passed and the next morning my driver trainer was at my house and I started my OTR training.
My brother attended National Truck Driving School in Jacksonville, FL. They have locations in Florida and California that I know of but I think they have a few other locations too. They do have housing at some locations and my brother did a study at home program and then when he was done and had his permit then he went to the school and did all the yard work for like 4-6 week until he passed. Then the company he went with drove him from the road test to the DMV and waited outside while he was issued his CDL. Once He had it he started is OTR training.

 

cdl1968 ;
I am oldB52, trying too get back into trucking. funds are very hard too find in grants or other, can you or your Brother tell me more about the funding that these schools may offer.. Don't realy want too go thru the trucking company's, as you had said in the above message. You gave great advise too this man. I am having a very hard time getting there.
Any help would be great.. I just don't have the money too do it on my own....
And I am an x-driver also 20plus years ago..

Thanks oldB52