CDL Practice Exams / DOT Physical

Officially you do not need to have a DOT medical card to take the permit test. Your school should have explained that there are different levels of CDL-A licensing and three of them do not require the DOT medical card. You will need the card to drive for 90% of the companies but it doesn't take long to get one and after you do, you MUST return to the DMV and have them change your certification so you may drive interstate. So, you have to visit the DMV twice, once to take the test and once to have your DOT card on record but, seems you will be making two visits there anyway.

 

Bud the med card shouldn't be a problem. You're on the script for back pain although it will be frowned upon. Most carriers don't like to see it but it happens ya know. Shouldn't cause you to fail your dot physical. Sounds like you should be alright for your physical I didn't see any problems other than the back pain. Listen to giggles though. Bounce around in a truck for 11 hours and it will kill your back. Not sure what you have wrong with yours I have 3 shifted vertebra no pain pills but 11 hours in my truck and it feels like somebody to a baseball bat to my back. And the chiropractor has adjusted it more times than I care to count bouncing around just keeps throwing them back out of whack.

But pain pills may help and you may not have those issues while on the pain killers. I think you will do fine on the dot physical and your tests. Keep it up and good luck in school. As for prime eh not my favorite carrier but you could be in a lot worse situation. I will say be sure to put in at least a year with your starter. I believe you can do that with prime and then move up the ladder to better companies. I would also recommend at least learning one or more trades. Is flatbed and van, reefer and flatbed etc. Gives you some more options on where you can go in the future. I have flatbed exp hopper and know ltl as well. Helps make yourself marketable to companies also helps you if you decide to become an owner op later on in life so you can go other places. Its always good to know what's moving in what regions when if you plan to become an o/o sometime. First things first though learn to drive and get your experience. Also make sure this school teaches you how to log on paper. Most large companies are on e logs however if the elog craps out you have to be able to fill out a paper log so make sure they teach you that. Don't be afraid to ask your instructor questions that's what you are paying them your hard earned money for. Get as much drive time as you can. And pay attention to everything. If you have a question on something or think he told you wrong Google it or get on here and ask there are some shady instructors around that don't know squat and shouldn't be teaching students. And yes I have dealt with one first day and last day for me and truck driving school.

I will say that cab and that truck are going to seem huge for a while. And they get smaller and smaller as time goes on. Each truck is different when it comes to shifting and turning and blind spots. Keep that in mind when youre learning. If possible get the same truck you're the most comfortable with for your road test. You will always be learning when it comes to driving a truck always be willing to learn everybody will tell you the day you quit learning is the day you need to quit driving. Its hard to do but don't let the 4 wheelers bother you and activate you. I cannot count the number of times I've got the finger. Just this morning I made a turn and had to wait for a car to back up he took off finger out the window. Just shook my head. Took me a long time to learn to let it go but it makes life easier. Don't kid yourself I was pissed but I just let it go I'd already had a few scares with deer last night so that was by far the least of my worries. Keep your head up and keep calm throughout everything in your journey in trucking. It ain't easy and there's times when you will want to quit but keep pushing through. Tape pictures of your wife and kids to the dash so they're always with you it will help and call every night. Trust me it ain't easy being away from them. And it will take a toll on them as well. But calling and keeping the pictures will make it easier. Hope everything works out for you! This med card was a minor bump just keep on going. Good luck and keep us updated.

 

Not every state is the same

• http://www.mva.maryland.gov/Driver-Services/Apply/CDL/commercial.htm

 

It isn't the company you need to worry about but it is the way you control your pain. Many will take an addition pill or two during the day which may be alright if you are sitting at home or working a desk job but in a truck thats a big risk. I knew one guy who had a back problem from missing a step on a cab over, he was pretty good on the regiment of his scripts but he was in pain one day, took an extra pill and then got into an accident (not his fault) but the fall out of that devastated his career. So a company may not like or want someone who is using it for back pain compared to someone who is using it for other pain.

By the way, the state of Michigan requires you to have an up to date medical card for anything to do with a CDL.