Comments By Giovanni U.

The prescription medication you're on has to be reported. They'll have to know what you're taking and why because it will show up in a drug test. You also have to make sure that the prescription you're taking is approved for commercial driving. You can ask any doctor that gives DOT physicals if it would be approved or not. If not, you'll have to have your doctor switch you to something else.

I'm just going to throw this out there - there's a lot of pressure in trucking and you'll often find yourself holding up a lot of angry people while you're trying to maneuver that rig. You have to be able to ignore it. You'll be backing in off of busy streets, pulling wide around corners in busy intersections, and doing all kinds of other stuff that's going to bring a lot of attention to you.

I have a book that's free to read online called Becoming A Truck Driver: The Raw Truth About Truck Driving and it has a lot of stories in there from my time on the road. Some of them are about times when I had no choice but to have part of an interstate closed down to get out of a predicament or the police had to close down all of the streets around City Hall in downtown Phoenix so I could get backed in - things like that. Have a look through my book and you'll see how much pressure there can be in trucking. I just wanted you to be aware of that.

Thank you, Brett. I have my own share of anxiety issues, as well. The bad side, as you pointed out, is that many drivers will get ticked off at the trucker. Plus, the anxiety of making difficult backing maneuvers, and the like. The good side of trucking is that the driver is by himself - not like being in an office where he may experience dozens of uncomfortable or unpleasant face-to-face interactions every day. That's what got me out of the office and into trucking.

Well I might have gotten Lucky! CR England says they will take me, they are aware of all issues, all meds. Scary thing is im hearing a lot of bad **** about them, Just praying it goes smoothly. I spoke to Dr Hendrix @ CR England personally and all I need is a letter from my DR that says its safe to drive. Crossing fingers!

I was just there-will give you an unbiased assessment of what it was like-I got kicked out for having 20-50 vision in one eye-the chart they recommended to test your eyes was not very accurate. Was only there for not even a day as a result of that-but can tell you my impression of it the short time I was there and let you be the judge. You get there to Gary IN-the place is a slum-at the bus station-they load you on a shuttle bus-they want you at the school as soon as you arrive-the bus will take you to the school and you will immediately be asked to start your physical-before your arrival at the room-be prepared for that-did not get to my room till close to midnight-next morning have to be up to catch shuttle back to school-it is a good half hour from motel to school-not much around motel in terms of places to eat-most are more than a mile away. You will not be given an opportunity to eat anything before you go-be prepared for that-have some snacks handy. School begins at 630am sharp-whatever you do dont miss the shuttle in the morning and be late-it left at 5 am. I can only tell you about the first morning-make sure you have all the required documents with you-make sure you are ready for the written exams before you arrive as you will likely be too wiped out to study for it there. A lot of paperwork involved. Make sure your vision is up to par as well as blood pressure or you will immediately be sent home. The inprocessing instructor was on the ball. I did get my vision corrected that very day at a mall 10 miles away-but decided not to return. I am telling to you like it is-this is what I genuinely experienced a mere 2 days ago. I spent the night at a motel and got a bus ticket to another school which is likely going to accept me with my corrected vision. That was done at my own expense as well as getting the eye exam and glasses. That brings me to my next point-make sure you have enough funds because they will not cover your food expenses and like what happened to me unexpected things could come up. I hope I dont sound like I am bashing it-I just want to share with you what my impression was of it. I wouldnt go back there.

God I hope my experience with them is better. They are sending me to Cedar hill TX. I have talked to quite a few companies and unfortunately coming off ssdi after 2 years for psychological reasons everyone else seems to be afraid to take me. On top of that i have my CDL but haven't driven in 16 years. SO Simply put I am the mutt nobody wants to take! They are the ONLY takers... hope I dont regret going with them...

Got a question , I'm in the position to buy a new rig as i decided to sell my house and get on the road . Question is to anyone : Would you buy a new rig to start out on the road or use a companies truck?

Company truck! Give yourself some time to accumulate some money. As an OO you pay for everything on the truck, plus the truck payment and the fuel! In a company truck, they pay for fuel, repairs and pay you to drive it. To start out, a company driver would be wiser

Any one know of a company that will give me a chance even with coming off disability? I explain things but i don't seem to have any luck. I really wanna get back on the road but seem to be hitting a wall here. I need a refresher too so that makes it even harder, I could really use some suggestions. Thanx

I agree with Red Gator. I had a gap in my employment for the past two years, and Prime did not even contact me after I applied with them. Their loss in my opinion. FFE contacted me and only required three letters of attestation from people that could verify that I was taking care of my elderly mother, and had no problems. Swift is pretty liberal in that regard as well. As Red Gator stated, keep trying and applying with other companies.

Any suggestions on which are good companies? I have been out of work on SSDI since 2011, and am trying to get back to work. With my particular situation truck driving is a perfect fit.

I don't think that would disqualify you. When you're a solo driver there's no one around to talk to and no one around to judge you. Some days you don't even talk to a single person.

What I did see happening is that your training will be more difficult for you. You're under constant judgement and criticism and fear that you'll be booted from training will make your life harder. The instructors are constantly looking at your performance as well as your trainer. So you might have a few problems along the way to becoming a solo driver but I don't think this will stop you if you are determined.

As long as the Ohio DOT can't disqualify because of it, I will be good! That damn physical with the mental questions is my most concerning.

I am on medication so I can get through the classes my main concern is the ODOT questions and having to tell a company that there is an anxiety issue.

Will being diagnosed with social anxiety bar me from getting back on the road?