Very Mild Cerebral Palsy.... Am I Disqualified?
Topic 20219 | Page 1
My brother was born with a similar touch of CP, his right arm/ hand and leg are not 100%. He drives school buses. Manual shift.
Take a look at the medical form, you can search online for it. All the physical standards are set out in the form. Also, go for the physical, and ask them right off the bat about your situation. That way, if there is bad news, you may not have to pay for the full physical. But chances are you'll pass.
Thanx so much Errol... that is good advice. Which brings up another question. If I go with an outfit that covers my training I am sure they will send me to their DOT physician... or will they accept a physical that I pay for in my town, as long as its don by a DOT Dr?
Thanks again for they reply!
My brother was born with a similar touch of CP, his right arm/ hand and leg are not 100%. He drives school buses. Manual shift.
Take a look at the medical form, you can search online for it. All the physical standards are set out in the form. Also, go for the physical, and ask them right off the bat about your situation. That way, if there is bad news, you may not have to pay for the full physical. But chances are you'll pass.
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
Thanx so much Errol... that is good advice. Which brings up another question. If I go with an outfit that covers my training I am sure they will send me to their DOT physician... or will they accept a physical that I pay for in my town, as long as its don by a DOT Dr?
Your DOT physical will be completed by a FMCSA Registered physician (link goes to the official national registry).
When I started with Swift, they accepted the physical I got at a local clinic that was registered with the FMCSA. But when I got my second physical a year later, I had to use one from Swift's approved (& FMCSA registered) list. Every company is different.
Good luck!
CSA:
Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)
The CSA is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are related to commercial motor vehicle
FMCSA:
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
The FMCSA was established within the Department of Transportation on January 1, 2000. Their primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries.
What Does The FMCSA Do?
- Commercial Drivers' Licenses
- Data and Analysis
- Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement
- Research and Technology
- Safety Assistance
- Support and Information Sharing
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
Fm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.
Thanx again Errol.... so is a physical required every year?
Thanx so much Errol... that is good advice. Which brings up another question. If I go with an outfit that covers my training I am sure they will send me to their DOT physician... or will they accept a physical that I pay for in my town, as long as its don by a DOT Dr?
Your DOT physical will be completed by a FMCSA Registered physician (link goes to the official national registry).
When I started with Swift, they accepted the physical I got at a local clinic that was registered with the FMCSA. But when I got my second physical a year later, I had to use one from Swift's approved (& FMCSA registered) list. Every company is different.
Good luck!
CSA:
Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)
The CSA is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are related to commercial motor vehicle
FMCSA:
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
The FMCSA was established within the Department of Transportation on January 1, 2000. Their primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries.
What Does The FMCSA Do?
- Commercial Drivers' Licenses
- Data and Analysis
- Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement
- Research and Technology
- Safety Assistance
- Support and Information Sharing
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
Fm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.
Normally a physical is only required ever 2 years unless you have high blood pressure diabetes that's controlled with medication or sleep apnea. Then they want to see you every year for monitoring purposes. I'm not sure if you would get a 1 or 2 year card if you still qualify with the CP.
JJ
Sleep Apnea:
A physical disorder in which you have pauses in your breathing, or take shallow breaths, during sleep. These pauses can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. Normal breathing will usually resume, sometimes with a loud choking sound or snort.
In obstructive sleep apnea, your airways become blocked or collapse during sleep, causing the pauses and shallow breathing.
It is a chronic condition that will require ongoing management. It affects about 18 million people in the U.S.
Jim answered your question.
For me, and many others with high blood pressure, it's once a year. Swift has a "Wellness Center" at the Memphis terminal. It's walk-in and no charge.
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
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Would appreciate info from anyone who might know the answer to my question. I am considering truck driving school, but before I lay out the money and take the classes I am hoping someone might be able to answer a quick question for me.
Here is my issue.... I was born with an extremely mild case of Cerebral Palsy.... so mild that most who meet me never know. My Dr said she has never seen a case so mild.
I drive a standard, I bow hunt, I currently operate a fork lift at Home Depot....even built my own house. There isn't much I can't do.
My right arm has slight impairment as far a radial supination. So, I have a little less range of motion in my right arm... and a little less finger dexterity. Like I said, I operate a fork lift and can drive anything. I am in good physical condition... low body fat, good muscle tone.
That said, at 22 when I tried to enlist as a Marine and when I told the recruiter I had CP he shook my hand and walked me out of the recruiting office.
So, I guess my question is- does the DOT automatically disqualify like the military does?
Thank you so much to anyone who might be able to provide me with any info!
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.