Profile For James C.

I have no doubt that you'll get it all sorted out and earn your CDL. Having to have the certificate isn't that big of a deal, it's just extra paperwork and the time involved in the process, along with the fact that the FMCSA website doesn't give much guidance into a step by step instruction of how the process works. I understand what GTown was saying in regards to Swift using Concentra but Concentra has more than 1 Dr on hand doing physicals and it's literally at the docs discretion as to if you're required to have one or not. With less than 1% of drivers actually having the certificate, there's not much info out there to learn from and most companies have never had to deal with it. I think even the website mentions on there that only 3500 or so (can't remember honestly) SPE certificates have been issued. Given the millions of CDL holders, we're a rare breed lol.

yes you are correct on the number and no there isn't much information on how to go about it...

Ok thank you both for the replies... This I what I was looking for.... I hadn't thought of that... At least not yet anyway.... Like I said my "plan" was to get my permit here in PA even though I knew I would be going through the process again at prime but would have felt little more at ease knowing I was able to in my home state... not that would be part of the decision because like robert said, its up to what that dr decides, and i will not take no as an answer, i will figure another way to make this possible until i run out of options, and even then try to figure something out.. i am set on making a career out of trucking,

I have been looking over that application packet for new driver (downloaded from FMCSA https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/docs/spe-certificate-package.pdf) one of the questions under: Medical Examination Report FOR COMMERCIAL DRIVER FITNESS DETERMINATION 649-F (6045 under section 2. HEALTH HISTORY Driver completes this section, but medical examiner is encouraged to discuss with driver. Missing or impaired hand, arm, foot, leg, finger, toe must check the yes or no box,

I have high blood pressure and im on 2 medications but every dr visit i have been i've given good reading, well within normal conditions, I have been diagnosed with sleep apnea before but didn't really use the c-pap machine so i had to return it against medical advice because insurance wouldn't pay for a machine not being used ( i know stupid decision on my part, but i was never home to use it)

So Im pretty sure i would need a SPE certificate

I would like to find out if i would be able to pass everything before i leave my job to goto a school and find out they wont train me.. and also how to go about doing it

I'm pretty sure nobody can answer this because i dont think anybody is a dot certified medical examiner but i would like to hope somebody has an idea of what options i have and what routes i can take to figure this out, I know that i have a firm grip on the steering wheel, can turn headlights on, use turn signals in a taxi (I know a taxi is different then a rig, and i know a dr cant use my driving record for their decision,)

I havent found one thing that I cant do because of my hand, just had to figure a different way of doing it, ie: typing this letter on my laptop, i only use my left thumb to type the left side of the keyboard, hanging a picture on the wall i use pliers to hold the nail, its tedious things i have a problem with, the small items is where i have to figure out what to do n how to do it

Hello everyone... This a GREAT site, i have picked up so much information from here.

I'm interested in going to Prime Inc CDL training school. Now my plan was to get my CDL permit in my home state because i know i will have to get a skill performance evaluation certificate because my left hand has "claw hand" from nerve damage 9 years ago. I have read in another post that prime can't transfer out of state permits anymore (bummer).. I don't want to go there and then be sent home because of it.

I became a Taxi driver 3 years ago to show that my hand would not be an issue for driving, but found out after doing some research recently that the dot physical cant use your driving record for the decision.

My question: Is there a way for me to find out if this will disqualify me.. I can have a DOT physical done here in PA, but they will have to do another one when i get to school correct?

Another question I have is if i get a sleep study and get a c-pap machine before going i shouldn't have to go through the process again or will I?

I have been studying my PA CDL manual and The High Road Online CDL Training Program Since i have joined this site. This program has made studying so much easier... Again GREAT job on this site!!!!!!!!!!