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

77fib77 · Sep 2, 2024

boneheads everywhere... said: ↑

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.

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.
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You clear 1500 or gross. If community college was cheap and a month or 6 weeks, I would do that.

Ridgeline · Sep 2, 2024

you do not need a class or school, go take the combination test, do the road test, and pay for the change on your license.

Ex-Trucker Alex · Sep 2, 2024

Judge said: ↑

View attachment 527069
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I would think that if you can pass a test of backing up a rig on a hook, you are more than able to back one with a 5th wheel....

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