Don't know WHAT to do - lost my CDL

Have you thought about Greyhound? Get the passenger endorsement. Greyhound has automated transmissions.

 

Problem with Greyhound is having to help wrestle passenger luggage... But it does mean you might have luck with those tour buses that shuttle the old ladies to the casino and back. You can also try school buses, but the pay is usually low and the split shift blows.
If you can only walk short distances, how do you plan to get to the truck stop from the truck 100+ yards away?
I agree with a previous poster, you really need to get a disability lawyer.

 

Have you looked into maverick? They offer a cdl program to get your cdls again and all
Of their equipment is automatic trans. As everyone else says make sure it's what you want to do being over the road everyday with your injuries might hurt more than help. Hope this helps

 

The seatbelt violation is a moot point. It has zero to do with having to start over. Give a mega that has a driving school a call, they may allow to to pay just to take a test in their truck, and many have autos now.

 

Maybe try looking into being a Yard Jockey, Switcher, Hostler, Spotter.

Technically you don't need a CDL, as long as you don't leave the property, but many still require one. There's a member on this forum who is a Jockey with no CDL. We've also had Jockey's in the past with no CDL. Can't really recommend any companies since their policies may vary, but you can start by looking at Distribution Companies, Railyards, Temp Services etc. and give them a call to see if a CDL is required.

 

Sounds like he's not gonna be able to get up and down to be connecting/disconnecting airhoses all day.

Hmm, I know there's a company in my area that advertises for van drivers to deliver/collect train crews.

 

How about Dispatching?

 

Being a yard jockey is pretty physical actually and most places where they have dedicated jockeys you are required to move at a pretty fast pace.

Even doing the most basic OTR dry van job there will still be times elbow grease is needed.

 

I can understand your wanting to get your CDL back. Driving may be what you want to do, it may be what you love to do, but I've been sitting here thinking and I just don't see any way you be able to find/get AND hold a job doing it with your situation unless you were able to fall into some type of power only situation. I really know nothing about that type of trucking so I may be totally off there, but I don't see anything else open to you.

You require an automatic transmission to start with. Granted that doesn't seem to be nearly as big a deal nowadays as it was even 8 or 10 years ago, but beyond that your accident has really limited what you are able to tell an employer you can do.

Flatbed is out.
Tanker is mostly out as far as I can tell because of dragging hoses, loading and unloading duties. If you can't carry a bag of groceries up a flight of stairs there is no way I can see you would be able to do tanker.
Reefer and dry van is left if you can find a company that is drop and hook maybe?
OTR is narrowed down, you can't go to anyplace that will have you chaining in the winter, physically you won't be able to do it.
There are many other types out there also but I can't think of one off the top of my head that would easily work for your situation.

I applaud your wanting to get back into it, and I wish you the best (I really do!) but in terms of a driving job with you current physical disabilities I don't see what you could get outside of something along the lines of Uber.

As others before me have stated, find a disability attorney... now. It sounds like that is what you really need long term.