Profile For Forrest B.

I don’t talk on too much but I’m always around. I visit here everyday. Still working on getting back in the industry.

Good luck at CFI. I drove for CFI years ago. I loved it. Great Company.

I stopped using my CDL in 2008 after my accident. My CDL license have been active ever since. I just renewed my DOT card this year.

In Georgia unless you surrender them they will stay active even without renewing your DOT physical.

At least mine did.

Valves

I hope it doesn't take more than 60 days for you! In 60 months, I'll have a nice used Freightliner you can buy from me.

I’m really hoping on less than a month. I’m am ready to hit the road. I have missed being out there.

Alright I don’t want no scratches or dents on that truck in 60 months from now.

Dropped off my Skills Performance Evaluation packet today at the DOT in Atlanta. Now it’s just a waiting game I guess. Heard it could take up to 60 months to get approved. Hopefully not!

Congrats sir. True perseverance personified! Continued success on your journey!!

Thank you! Each of you definitely give me the motivation to keep pushing forward.

Actually the doctors.

They’re local Orthopedic Surgeons here in My hometown. I actually went in thinking they would say no as well but surprised me.

Thank you and I will continue to post as I move along in the process.

I haven’t made a decision on which company yet.

Schneider gave me a conditional job offer running a Southeast Regional last week pending approval with the FMCSA.

Fantastic! I'm doing a happy dance! Who did you end up talking with, if you don't mind me being nosy?

Are you meaning which company am I going with?

Finally made it over the first speed bump in my quest to drive again.

Two doctors and three days of physical therapy and they gave me the all clear. I’m sending my packet to the FMCSA tomorrow for approval.

I’m so excited. Can’t wait for this dream to come true.

Three sources I think you should check with concerning your medical situation (in order): 1. Dr. John McElligott in Knoxville. A doctor that lives to help truckers, not some quack. 2. OOIDA 3. The FMCSA.

The representative for FMCSA in Georgia is not helpful at all. I’ve called her several times with nothing to show for it. She has a very bad attitude. I will check into that doctor In Knoxville. Thank you.

It is very hard to find a doctor to sign off on this SPE packet. I’ve spoken to every orthopedic surgeon in Columbus and a few in Atlanta with no luck.

Schneider’s medical dept told me I have to find one on my own. They can’t help till after I have it completed.

Thank you both. 2008-09 was a rough year for me to say the least. Trucking has always been in my blood and a dream of mine. I always wonder how life would’ve been if I never left CFI. But life goes on and everything after my accident actually turned out better than I thought it would. I’m just happy I’m finally strong enough mentally and physically to want a try at it again.

Holy crap! Its amazing you were able to survive that. That in itself is remarkable, but for you then to turn around and want to make a career out of driving something that was involved in changing your life is even more remarkable. I think it's safe to say we're all pulling for you and look forward to following your journey.

Thank you Rob! My family and friends go both ways about my decision. Some are all for it and some are against it. That’s understandable. They say I have a death wish by trucking 😂😂.

I went into the hospital that day at 320 lbs and went home at 170 lbs. The doctors say being so heavy is what probably saved my life.

Top photo was the truck I was driving that day. I don’t remember the accident at all. This happened on January 8 2008 in Locust Grove Georgia. I was flown to Grady Memorial Hospital. February 10 I came out of a coma and was transferred to The Shepherd Center. My leg was amputated the end of February and I began rehabilitation for my brain injury, speech therapy, and other fine motor skills. I was able to go home around April 20th and continued physical therapy at home.

Hey Forrest, I saw your name on the thread and immediately remembered you were the one asking about all auto-transmission truck fleets a while back. I'm really impressed that you're being so persistent with this process and determined to get through it. I don't have any advice for this process since I've never had to go through it but I completely sympathize with the whole federal regulatory process BS you're having to navigate. I have Type 1 diabetes and am not permitted to drive commercial vehicles in interstate commerce without a federal exemption, so I had to go through a similar process to get my medical certificate before I could start driving for anyone. It sounds like you have a few extra steps to go through since you have to take an extra driving test, but I also had to wait that mandatory six months. I actually forgot about the whole thing a few months after sending in my paperwork since I didn't hear anything back. Then one day the exemption just showed up in the mail with even more rules to follow.

Seriously, kudos for your determination and good luck with the process. The federal government loves to make these processes ridiculously complicated but once you determine the steps you need to take and as you systematically complete them, the process will seem a lot easier.

Yes it will definitely take some time. I’m patient and however long it takes I will drive a truck again. I’ve been through so much in my life already. This is just another obstacle to go through. I’m used to that. If it’s easy it won’t be fun 😉

Here's a link to an An Older Conversation where Robert B lays out some helpful information concerning this subject. Maybe it will prove helpful for you Forrest.

Robert knows more about this than any of us. He's been there, done that, and got the T-shirt. One thing I've noticed from his remarks is that this whole process is slow, and must be relentlessly pursued by the driver. Also, it seems you will need to understand the process, as it is most likely you will be instructing everyone from the initial physician to the company that hires you on how and what they need to do to get you back in the driver's seat.

Recruiters are not going to be blowing up hour phone. None of them even know where to start with you. Tenacity and persistence will need to be your constant companions. Remember, you will need to be able to explain the process if you want to get it accomplished. You will be teaching them how this is done. Therefore you need to have some mastery of how this whole process works.

I’ve read a little bit of it. I’m going to read into it more tonight.

Thank you, Old School