Ok hear me out....

Not necessarily completely true. I know the OP said neither he nor his wife have ever had an OWI/DUI, so this information is for other readers.
If you HAVE had an OWI/DUI at ANY point in your life, you must admit it (and then put the date of the offense in the explanation part).
The application asks "Have you ever had your license suspended or revoked". At one point in my career, I was told that an OWI disappears from your MVR (in Iowa) after 12 years...so I put "No" on that question. I was turned down for the job for lying. An OWI/DUI can be found for life.
Now I answer honestly, but keep it brief. My answer is this: "Yes. Misdemeanor First Offense OWI in 1990"
I 'minimize' it by adding Misdemeanor and First Offense...and then let them know (at this point) the darn thing is over a quarter century old. Have never been turned down or even questioned about it since.

As for the drug use questions? I lie my butt off (nobody....I mean nobody smoked more pot than me before I started trucking) a "negative" test is all they need to know. Everybody has had some sort of a past. Get clean and stay clean....can't tell you how many "Random" drug tests I have taken in the past quarter century. Not to mention the accident rule---someone can drive under your trailer...could be no fault of your own what-so-ever (other than 'wrong place, wrong time'), and if 1). A vehicle has to be towed from the scene. 2). An injury needs attention off scene. 3). A death occurs. You WILL be sent for a drug test required in something like 2 to 8 hours following the accident.
It's not worth the worry.

 

No, they won't. That will be done when you get your DoT physical before getting your permit. But yes you can be tested at school, by DoT for a random, but it did not happen to anyone in my class.

 

Might be dependent on the state or school because I (we all) got my DOT physical and drug testing a week or two before attending courses/lessons.

 

Yes they will. You cannot drive a tractor on the public highways with out having been drug tested first. This might mean that you will be tested before your permit. What didn't you understand?

 

Like I said. Since you can not comprehend. The school doesn't test you, where ever you go to get your physical does prior to getting your permit. I understand what you are saying, I get it. But School doesn't drug test you.

 

They tell me that I am going to have hair follicle and urine test on Friday the 17th. On Monday the 20th, I start school. It is unclear to me who the drug test is for: the school or my future employer.

This will be along with my DOT physical, which they may not give me because they have a copy of the one given to me by my home state.

 

True, and the schools do follow DOT rules as well, and can randomize anyone at any time. Of course this means too, that they send the student out to the test collection site.

 

The school to satisfy the DOT

Since you are going to a school most times, the school accepts the DOT you already have,

Now be forewarned, that even though you have a valid, 2 year card, an employer does NOT have to accept that, but many will.

 

Right. They did ask me to send it. Personally I could care less. Unfortunately mine is only a one year card, due to high blood pressure and blood sugar. But I have the necessary letter from primary physician.

 

In your case, you know I don't have to say it, but I feel the need to do so (it's the way I roll), make sure you take enough of your meds with you, in their properly labeled bottles, for a long time on the road.

I do believe if, say you are a customer of CVS, and you are in Pocatello, ID (I have been there) and you need your meds, they should be able to refill for you.

But to avoid any possible shortage of your meds, try and get at the very least 90 day refills.