Very much wanting to become a driver (but have a unique question - please read!)

Thank you all again for the continued encouragement, it's very appreciated. Apologies for not being on the forum in a few weeks, but it has been quite crazy around here.

I've been doing some research with regard to what the DOT physical consists of, and based on what I'm finding it looks like I can pass it with no problem. I'll be contacting my doctor tomorrow (finally) and if he doesn't administer DOT's I'll just find someone else who does. I'm also going to pay a visit to my local DMV tomorrow to see what [if any] information they can give me. There is one part of the medical examiner form that's confusing me though:

"§391.41(b)(2)
A person is physically qualified to drive a commercial motor
vehicle if that person:
Has no impairment of: (i) A hand or finger which interferes
with prehension or power grasping; or (ii) An arm, foot, or leg
which interferes with the ability to perform normal tasks
associated with operating a commercial motor vehicle"

It could be argued that I walk with crutches, my limbs are technically affected - but I don't believe it's to a point of not being able to operate a commercial motor vehicle. But how do I prove that to my doctor - I mean, how is he supposed to know what "driving a commercial motor vehicle" entails?....

There are parts of the 108 point pre-trip inspections that I was recently made aware of which have me thinking: "hmmm, how am I gonna do THAT?" -specifically, the climbing up on the hood. Not to say that I "can't" do it, I can - it's just I have a thing about heights (yes, I know I mentioned skydiving earlier - that's different....) That said, I'll cross those bridges when I come to them....and I'm sure there's a way; there always has been for everything else I can't do.

Honestly, I think I'm in a lot better shape and physically capable (despite my disability) than a lot of people on the road. As someone here noted, as long as I can pass the DOT, a company has to accept me for training. They may not like the fact that one of there drivers is disabled, but as long as I'm not a hazard on on the road they'll have to - as the saying goes: "suck it up cupcake."

I'm not going to let one recruiter from a company deter me, just because 'he' thinks I can't do something; if this is indeed possible, I will do it.

As for doing team driving - that is a great idea; thank you for the suggestion. However, if something were to happen to my partner, I would like to know that I can still get the load to where it needs to go. I would still like to, and most likely would do team driving I'm just saying that i want to have full faith in myself that I can handle things should my partner not be there for whatever reason.

I'll keep you all posted on any new developments.

 

I had my DOT physical today...and....everything is looking good! I passed all the tests; blood pressure is good, eyesight is good, hearing is good & my medical history (on which there is nothing but my disability - C.P.) does not preclude. The doctor is only somewhat concerned about me having to walk with crutches, but he said that does not mean he won't issue me the medical card. All I need is a clearance from my regular doctor stating that I'm fit to drive a commercial vehicle. The appointment is already set for 8:00am, this coming Monday morning; I see no reason why I won't be given the clearance.

I know I shouldn't speak to soon...but I'm very Excited! Wish Monday was tomorrow!...

 

I got my DOT medical card today; it's good for the normal two year period. The only thing that's marked on it is the: "accompanied by SPE certificate" check box.

On one hand I feel a sense of accomplishment, on the other I feel as though I still have a very long way to go because I foresee that any company will still disqualify me based on their individual skill performance evaluation - even though I meet the federal regulations and thus am capable of driving.

Where to go from here?...

Edited to add: What I'd like to do is get to someone's tractor/trailer and see how I'm going to go about overcoming a few physical elements of the job - this way, when companies ask me: "how do you plan on doing [insert task here] ?" I'm not caught by surprise & have an answer. I really see no issues with anything - beit the pre-trip/post-trip inspections, opening/closing the trailer, climbing in/out of the trailer, etc, etc... The only thing I'm thinking might be an issue is putting on/taking off the chains for snowy conditions. Obviously, chains are a critical necessity.