Can I get my CDL with a recovered shoulder injury?

some jobs in trucking as easier then others
i drive a reefer never load or unload
no physical past DOT requirements

less said the better at all times

 

I was in a car accident 18 years ago and injured my shoulder. I had to have tendons and ligaments reattached with pins (6 total), but miraculously had no rotator cuff injury. My first driving job was with a reefer outfit and I had no problems there. When I left that company, I tried to get on with a flatbed outfit. They sent me to their company doctor for the DOT physical, he saw the scar, and they disqualified me as a matter of company policy which doesn't allow you to have had any shoulder or back surgeries. I then applied to a dry van company, which I am still with now (I'm actually glad I didn't get that flatbed job now, as I'm very happy at the company I'm with).

My injury was a long time ago and it doesn't give me much trouble. I don't have a full range of motion in that shoulder, but it's never been an issue as far as doing my job. So in summary, there is no DOT regulations that would disqualify you, but individual companies may have a policy that would.

 

it shouldn't be as long as you can provide documentation as to what you were doing and why you were unemployed during that time.

 

You will need to disclose the injury on your DOT physical since it occurred in the past 5 years. Just bring documentation from your doctor showing you were cleared to return to work. This always helps a lot because the doctor performing your physical likely does not know your medical history. It makes it easy for the doctor to make an informed decision.

Most carriers do not go beyond the standard DOT physical, though jobs with carriers that require physical labor are the ones more likely to have you submit to a physical capability evaluation in addition to the DOT physical.

In order to just obtain your CDL, a standard DOT physical is the most that will be required until you attempt to be hired by a carrier that may have addition physical requirements. Just stay away from any carriers requiring a lot of physical labor in addition to driving.

Best wishes to you.

 

There's some companies that have no-touch freight.
Put your location on your profile so we know the hiring area you live in.

 

You may want to continue working on strengthening your shoulder more before going thru the process of looking for a driving job. I've worked for 2 large carriers (Swift and Crete) both of which require you pass both the basic DOT physical and some form of a "work well" evaluation where you're required to demonstrate safe lifting abilities, flexibility and dexterity. I remember 2 drivers getting sent home from orientation for failing his evaluation even after they passed the DOT portion just fine. Many other carriers have similar evaluations even though they (like my current and previous employers) are mostly or exclusively "no-touch" freight. In almost 8 years of driving I can count on one hand how many trailers I've unloaded but the possibility is there and most employers would rather see they're hiring drivers that are 100% physically qualified.

In short, if you're not 100% recovered your best bet is to take more time or at the very least ask your recruiter what the requirements are for the company in question.

 

My arms are sore as hell from eight years of lifting luggage.

Last week it finally happened, dropped a bag four feet when my good arm

gave out.

But I need the job for medical benefits.