Comments By Janet M.

When it comes to the physical do women have to meet the same requirements as men in every part of it? I have a DOT physical question up in the Ladies Forum. One lady said she didn't have to lift weights but another lady said she did. She said she had to push about 125 pounds across a room and back. Seems like a lot of weight to expect females to have to do. I just want to drive truck not load/unload product. I know i can't do as much weight now vs when I was younger. Who pays for this test anyway me or the company I'm applying to?

I had to carry about 50 lbs in a milk crate across a small room and back and push and pull a cooler filled with about 100-125 lbs of weight across the same small room.

I described the physical I had pretty well in my CDL Diary:

Penny's Greenville Tech Diary

Thanks Penny I suspect the DOT physical might be different depending on where you go since Susan D said she didn't have to do weights @ her DOT physical. Hope you get to go on the road soon.

I was really only looking at it from an orientation / training angle. I believe both Knight and Swift have training facilities in Phoenix. They both have regular shipping routes through Las Vegas as well.

JJ

Thanks JJ

Easier? Personally I never considered a class B license, because I wouldn't want that restriction. There will be many more opportunities with a classA so why limit yourself like that?

Thanks for your responses. i put up question in general category and gleaned from that a Class A is better option. I need company sponsored school and they said they only do Class A anyway. Like you I'd rather not load/unload product. I also ruled out flatbeds. Biggest hurdle: passing the DOT physical. I do have a few issues, just don't know how ir will play out.

Janet, the Paid CDL Training Programs are for getting a class A license. So, that is what you are going to get.

Personally I think the class B jobs have a lot more physical work involved. In a class A truck you pull into a dock and they load or unload you. Class B jobs generally have the driver handling much of the freight.

We've got several ladies in here who have done this, and I think they would all tell you that it is no walk in the park.

Prepare yourself for a serious challenge, and hang in there until you complete a full year as a solo driver in your own truck. At that point it all starts getting a lot easier and better.

Thanks this helps me out a lot. Class A will definitely be the way to go. I love a good challenge. The biggest hurdle will be my DOT physical. I am concerned that I might not pass. I do have a few medical issues that I don't know how they will play out.

I'm thinking Knight transportation or possibly Swift.

Thank you. I'll investigate those two

Which CDL is easier to work with for ladies CDL A or CDL B? Currently I am going through the CDL training provided on this site and that"s about it. I've scanned a few schools that are on here but am yet to settle on one. All I can say for sure is that it will have to be a company sponsored one. Financially I can't do any other type. Any recommendations on which company sponsored schools are best? I live in Las Vegas, NV but am willing to relocate almost anywhere so I don't care where school is located. I prefer not having to load or unload product just driving. Being older I prefer something not to physically demanding. I have definitely ruled OUT flatbeds

Hey ladies thanks for the replies. Im undecided still on exactly what i want to drive or whether I want CDL A or B. Which is easier for ladies to drive CDL A or B? Also are there any medical conditions that disqualify you besides blood pressure to high or insulin dependent diabetic which I already know about? I do have some medical issues being older but not those two.

Can any of you ladies please describe in detail what the DOT physical entails? How much weight are you required to lift? I'm wanting to know so I can gauge whether or not I think I can pass it as I have some concerns with it.