K2 Restriction Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Mike2633, Jul 12, 2013.

  1. Mike2633

    Mike2633 Road Train Member

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    Hello everyone,

    I have a quick question, it turns out this week that I was diagnosed with amblyopia which is more commonly refereed to
    as "lazy eye" however it's not really my eye that is the problem. See I have actually pretty good vision my right eye is my "good eye" and has 20/20 vision my right eye and both eyes I can pass the eye examination no problem, I don't even need glasses to drive a 4 wheeler, however I know they are much more strict on trucks.

    Any how my left eye is the problem and it's a neurological problem my brain does not want to process information through the left eye. The state of Ohio gave me a K2 restriction saying I can only drive a truck with in the state of Ohio. Although when I took the eye exam they never said I needed glasses to drive the truck so I can drive a combination vehicle any where in the state of Ohio I just cannot drive it outside the state of Ohio.

    Obviously this is pretty bad news because now my prospects for companies that I can work for just shrank a whole bunch. I am new and not eligible for a K2 restriction waiver, I do have my CDL temps as far as tests go I have passed them all and I got my letter from the TSA this week saying I am good to go with HAZMAT loads so all that is done.

    I am trying to correct my Amblyopia the best I can. The doctors did not give me much hope, but I was refereed to a specialist and there are things that I can do to reverse it. I do have glasses, but with Amblyopia glasses are not the total cure because it's my brain that is more of the problem not my eye, actually the eye that is having trouble is perfectly healthy physically speaking.

    In the mean time I held off on buying my CDL temps and even held off on going to school until I can get the vision in my left eye corrected to 20/40. I know CDL temps are good in Ohio for 6 months, but my question is this: If I go by my temps with the restriction on it, would all I have to do when my eye sight is corrected is retake the vision test to get the restriction lifted?

    My other issue is I'm not going to go to school until that restriction is lifted because well how many companies are going to hire drivers with a K2 restriction? My choices for employment would be very limited to pretty much just local companies which is fine, but even local jobs can run out of state plus local companies are not crazy about hiring new people and local jobs are much harder to find, like Cleveland to Pittsburgh or Cleveland to Detroit and back those can all be done in a day in a day cab truck so that would mean that with a K2 restriction even local companies would be hard to find.

    Pretty much be limited to food service like GFS, Sysco, US Foods or the Beer Distributors, and I am sure they would not be to thrilled with a K2 restricted driver.
    The K2 restriction pretty much stopped me dead in my tracks.

    My big question if I can't get the K2 restriction removed (I am trying my best and hopefully the specialist can do something for me), then I probably should find another venture right?

    Would any of the LTL companies even bother to talk to someone like me? I don't mind working the dock or working in the yard doing odd jobs around the terminal and moving equipment around, but the cost of going to truck driving school and all that jazz really at least to me does not seem to be a wise decision if I am chained to the state I live in as far as driving goes.

    Obviously with a K2 restriction all the big boy companies you know the one with the Blue Trucks from Omaha, Nebraska and the other with the Orange Trucks from Green Bay, Wisconsin are totally out.

    I don't know I mean it's going to take me at least 3 weeks to get my vision corrected and plus then I have to see what the doctor says, if I can pull it off then great, but if I can't realistically what's my chances of finding a job with a K2 restriction? I am sure there are some companies or factories with there own private fleet, but realistically what's the probability of getting signed on to a local company like a whole sale grocer or an LTL company?

    As always thanks for your input
    Mike
     
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  3. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Local & intrastate jobs are available for newbies; it's just a matter of being aggressive with the applications. I can't give recommendations, because I don't live in Ohio. Check Careerbuilder website and start a list of companies. After receiving your CDL, start face to face applications. You might even get on with a cement company or local delivery company delivering building supplies or furniture; many options. The point is, you can get a CDL with K2 restriction, which means you can legally drive a commercial vehicle.
     
  4. morr2fab

    morr2fab Medium Load Member

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    There are somethings you just dont tell anyone about. My wife has lazy eye, she has never told anyone. And cares nothing about it because it doesnt bother her. Be careful what you tell employers. If they dont ask you dont tell. Your driving record, you cant get out of that. Lazy eye, who cares.
     
  5. losttrucker

    losttrucker Road Train Member

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    This may be a blessing in disguise!! There are MANY INTRA-State jobs in Ohio, even for newbies!!
     
  6. Mike2633

    Mike2633 Road Train Member

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    Thanks for the replies as always I appreciate it. I would never tell an employer. It was the eye exam at the DOT station that listed it. Really my eye does not bother me at all and with both eyes open my vision is 20/20 it's just a government test screwing with me.

    I have given my self 60 days to try and improve my condition. Actually I wouldn't mind working for like a dump truck company and I know those jobs are well liked. We have a ton of road construction in Ohio it like never ends so dump trucking is steady work and depending on who you talk to it beats Over The Road work.

    I know the cement mixer companies do hire from time to time and their are plenty of other options.
     
  7. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    If you have eye problems like this and it gets serious enough where you cause an accident and it is documented, then you're on the hook especially if you don't tell your employer about it.

    The treatments may not work, your horizontal vision depth perception may be effected in such a way that it effects your driving, seeing it is the left eye that is the problem.

    From Ohio's DMV website.

    Commercial Intrastate (Ohio only) Driving Privileges:
    If unable to meet the above standards, an applicant for a commercial driver license may qualify for intrastate driving privileges (K2 restriction on license) if they meet normal Class D acuity and horizontal field standards.


    CDL Waiver
    The BMV does not offer a waiver to CDL drivers. If the driver has a K2 restriction (Ohio driving only) they must contact either PUCO or the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to obtain a waiver to drive for a PUCO-regulated company in Ohio.


    If you don't have a CDL now, I would reconsider the move into this profession if you can't get it corrected.
     
  8. GWhite

    GWhite Bobtail Member

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    Hi. were you ever able to pass the vision requirements?
     
  9. Mike2633

    Mike2633 Road Train Member

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    I was able to pass the vision test. I went to another doctor I was given a new prescription for glasses. My vision was corrected in my left eye better then 20/40. My vision in my right eye with glasses is actually better then 20/20. I was retested by the Ohio BMV, my K2 restriction was removed I have a B restriction now, meaning I have to wear corrective lenses, but my eye sight has been corrected, and all other tests have been done. My medical card has been signed and is good for the next 2 years, so I am good to go.
     
  10. rpfrisky

    rpfrisky Bobtail Member

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    Nov 26, 2014
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    How did you correct the vision?
     
  11. FuzzFace2

    FuzzFace2 Medium Load Member

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    Mike, Do I feel your pain when you first found this out for the CDL.
    Just before I started truck driving school in July I had an eye issue where I was sent to a specialist ASAP!
    For me no glasses or any operation will fix it as it is nerves at the back of the eye that were damage (killed) and will never heal (grow back). To keep from getting any more damage I need needles in the left eye for the rest of my life.

    Any way I could not pass the DOT test also and had to get a waiver and like you said stuck driving intrastate for the next 3 years before I can apply for the government waiver. School was not a lot of help on what was needed on getting the waiver or who I could hire on with that did in state only for new drivers. After talking to career services many times today they tell me they may have people that I can go with so it is looking good once I get my license in a little over a week.

    Oh my eye issue causes a little depth perception at the back of the 48’-53’ trailer that I need to get within 2 feet without going over a line that is to be the edge of a dock! You can bump a dock you cant bump a painted line on the ground! It should be fun.
    Dave ----
     
    Mike2633 Thanks this.
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