Disabled drivers

Caveat: I'm not a driver, and have no specific knowledge in this arena. But I am disabled, and I can lend you some attitude about that!

The "no second chance" thing sounds wrong; if joe blow gets as many retests as he can pay for, so should you. Don't be afraid to play the disability discrimination card -- you deserve to be tested on the same level playing field as anyone else.

Even so, if you need time behind the wheel to find your strengths and overcome your weaknesses, you might just have to pay for that time. Fuel, instructors, and trucks all cost money, and it's not fair to ask the school to give you those things for free. But if you're willing to pay, they should be willing to help.

FWIW, I lost my leg (left above knee) several years ago, and I'm now considering trucking as a second career, after I'm sufficiently vested for retirement from my current job. I actually took CDL training about twenty years ago (long before it was called CDL) but ended up on a different career path. I'm still interested, though, and recent developments in automatic clutch/transmission technology make it a real possibility for me now.

 

Hmm...don't know what to do about the school, then. Perhaps you have a previous or prospective employer who can help?

As regards the other stuff, it looks like FMCSA 391.49 covers the particulars of the skills performance evaluation (SPE), which is what you need to get around the loss-of-limb clause in the physical qualifications in 391.41. Here are some links:
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regu...?rule_toc=760&section=391.41&section_toc=1781
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/fmcsr/fmcsrruletext.asp?section=391.49

I'm no rules lawyer, but I don't see anything in there that says you only get one chance to pass the skills test. I think whoever is telling you that is feeding you a line. Remember, this is government work -- ultimately, they have to play by their own rules. If this person can't give you chapter and verse of the FMCSA/CFR/etc to back up his claim, it isn't true. In which case you need to find a supervisor and lodge a complaint. It might be discrimination, but more likely it's ignorance.

 

Have you checked into ADA

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Americans_with_Disabilities_Act_of_1990#Title_I_-_Employment

Go here http://www.ericdigests.org/2002-1/ada.html too.

I know that ADA is instrumental in the workplace and in real estate transactions in which I am most familiar with that aspect of the ADA. I can't see why you should be limited as trucks like any other vehicle, can be altered/modified if need be.

Residences, public buildings, and other facilities must be modified to meet ADA guidelines.

Best of luck

 

I drove a Freightliner FL112 converted to a Toterhome with 10 speed autoshift for 3 yrs. No CDL was required because it was considered a Motorhome. After selling it, I looked into getting my CDL and becoming a full time Over the road driver.

The problems that I have yet to overcome are as follows:

1. The fed gov't requires, in order to obtain my Medical waiver, that I have a company that I am going to be driving for be considered the co-applicant. I assume this is some kind of liability issue.

2. I have talked to US Express, which utilize Autoshifts, and as soon as they realized the I only have 1 working arm, they started backpeddling our conversation.

3. I recieved a letter from Millis Transfer (who advertised Autoshift's) stating that they had a place for me in one of their next classes. I was supprised. They didn't even know anything about me or my disabilty, so I placed a phone call with a recruiter. What a crock! As soon as I explained my disability, talk about an about face. I never seen anyone change subjects so fast.

I believe (know) I can drive a truck. Did it for 3 years in my Totorhome with 48' trailer. But it seems to mostly be an issue of liability. I gets my gull that the federal government clearing states, even in times of autoshifts and power steering, that people with disabilities are made to have, what is similar to a co-signer, in order to get a CDL. If a person can find a company to train with, a bit difficult but not impossible, and prove their ability to drive safely, why should that driver be tied to a company to obtain his/her CDL.

 

If you look at 391.41(b)(3), you'll see that you can apply unilaterally, without a co-applicant carrier. You'll have to estimate some of the required information under section (c), but that shouldn't be hard -- if it were me, I'd put down that I plan to haul anything, anytime, anywhere. Never volunteer for a limitation.

Once you have that CDL in your pocket, you should be able to present a stronger argument to prospective employers -- if you can pass the government hurdles to licensure, they'll have a hard time arguing against you from a safety standpoint. Make it a point to NOT mention your disability too early! If it's really not a big deal, don't make it sound like it is. You're a driver first. Make sure they know it.

 

Discloser is going to make a difference anywhere, they may interpret that as lying if you don't let them know. There seems to be more than there should be, if you can pass the test, you can pass the test. Seems like they are trying to intimidate you. Get some range time somewhere, it sounds like that may help your confidence.