State DOT Man Going Trucking- Best Way To Get "O" Restriction Removed?

I've been working for my state's Department of Transportation(Road/Highway Maintenance sector), since 2017. When working for this State's transportation dept. you must obtain your CDL-A w/Tanker Endorsement within 90 days of hire.

Spoiler: I need a CDL? WHY?

This is because the job duties include hauling heavy construction equipment to and from job sites with dump trucks, exactly as pictured below....




As well as plowing snow in the winter...




And treating the roads with salt and/or brine(hence the reason for Tanker endorsement) during inclement weather.

So I say all of that to say I've had my CDL-A w/Tanker endorsement since 2017, and so I do possess at least a 'working' knowledge of CDL driving practices(pre-trips, air brakes, split shifts. etc).

However, my state's dept of transportation went through a period where people would get hired just to get the CDL-A the easy way and then immediately leave to go drive 18 wheelers. To combat that they began issuing the CDL-A licenses with an "O" restriction. Conveniently, this went into effect around 2015, just two years before I was hired, so I am of the new breed of DOT worker who has an "O" restriction on his CDL.

What the h$ll is an "O" restriction, you ask?

"O" restriction means No Tractor-Trailer. As you can see here, I can operate vehicles with GVWR over 26,000lbs, and I have an "N" endorsement(tanker), but I then have an "O" restriction...




Or in other words, my CDL means absolutely nothing in the tractor trailer world at the moment.

My question, and the reason for all that backstory, is with my experience, are there any truck driving companies out there that will train me up to get that restriction off at DMV, and then let me drive 18-wheeler for them?

What would be the best option for me to get that restriction removed without going the trucking school route?

Should I just go through my local community college? They have CDL training also. Preferably I'd like to find a place of employment that will just hire me and train me up for a week or two until I can pass the pre-trip and road tests at DMV and get the restriction removed.

Is that possible or am I just wishful thinking?

To anybody wondering why I'd want to leave a "good job!" like working for the State, just know that every job with the name of your state attached to it isn't automatically a "good" job- especially when you're only making barely $1500 EVERY TWO WEEKS.

 

Go to the DMV and ask what you need to do.
Probably a good idea to attend a cdl school though, so you can be 100% up to date with current laws and procedures, such as pre-trip inspections and driving skills.

 

Would driving Tractors piggybacked get around that ?

 

Exactly. Full school will be required.

 

No....

 

School it is! Was initially hoping to subvert that whole ordeal but you guys have brought up some excellent points regarding SOPs and knowledge bases that I hadn't really given much concern to at first... Thanks for the input

 

Make sure the DMV puts all your endorsements on your CDL. Get all the endorsements including hazmat.
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Which type trucking do you want after cdl school?
Where is your domicile state & town?

 

So you could probably do jobs like dump truck, box truck, or anything straight truck related. There’s plenty of those kind of jobs that should pay better than $1,500 every two weeks. Of course it’s nice to just have the standard class a so you can drive an 18 wheeler even without endorsements.

 

Many years ago I quit my state job to drive .

I was earning $975 a month at my state job , I did get the three weeks sick leave and three weeks vacation and twelve holidays , but when you’re dead broke that don’t pay the bills

when I started driving , I made $5k the first month .

felt like the richest man in the world .