Comments By Phil C.

Welcome to the forums!

Phil

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Ok so it goes like this. This is assuming you are NOT driving commercially, and will not need to pass a 6 month hair folicle test or do a UA for at least a month+. You will not be **** tested by the police, that's a company and insurance thing, so you can go ahead and smoke weed. Colorado for example has a breathalyzer test for weed or a blood test, and its a DUI if you're driving stoned with weed on your breath or in your blood, so its recommended not to smoke an hour or more before you drive. That's long enough to pass the DUI for weed breathalyzer. I think the legal limit for blood is 5 nanograms. Since weed stays in your **** for a month or more, there's no way to use **** to prove you were high at the time of an accident for example. That's why they use a breathalyzer or a swab or a blood test. I'm not sure if there are lower limits for commercial drivers or if the lower limit applies to your personal vehicle or not. But you are ok to smoke some as long as you don't smoke it then drive. At least in Colorado, other states will have similar rules. Eventually it will be just like alcohol and **** tests will be a thing of the past for weed.

Phil

In the spirit of helping new drivers, the class clown always thinks its funny to answer a real question with a load of bull.

In the spirit of helping new drivers, you bash another member of the forum? Ok..

My point was that sometimes you just have to make a spot where there isn't one. We all see it every day at truck stops and on ramps.

I had a delivery in southern CA that the customer wouldn't take in the middle of the night when I was scheduled to be there. The nearset truck stop was 30 miles away (and probably full anyways) and I only had 15 or so minutes on my clock. All the streets nearby said no truck parking but I didn't have a choice. So illegal parking spot it was. Now I avoid that altogether by typically taking a 10 hr reset before my delivery.

Your second comment is much more helpful now isn't it?

Phil

In the spirit of helping new drivers, the class clown always thinks its funny to answer a real question with a load of bull. If you cant park at a truck stop, there are other options. Rest stops, Walmart parking lots (get permission), side roads with large pull offs, and large parking lot will work as long as you get permission, even where you deliver to may let you. You can also use your CB to try and find parking nearby. There are more options these are just a few.

Phil

The DOT drug test and your medical card are not related. You do get a urine test during the physical but its for health things like ketones not for drugs at all. The DOT drug test comes later either to be legally allowed to drive the training truck on public roads or to be part of a pre-hire test done by the company. When you do your physical the doctor issues you the medical card and paperwork. Its only once you are going to drive the truck that you will be given a drug test. That's a DOT and insurance requirement.

Phil

I have hazmat and its good to have but not needed really. Just depends what you want to haul. There is something about having your drivers license a set time before you can get a cdl but I forget if its a year or 3 years.

Phil

After ten years out of the truck Im ready to drive for a company again but some companies want me to go out with a trainer again and that is my fear now,I don't think I can trust anybodys driving while I'm sleeping in the back.Is there anything I can do to overcome my fears.

Find a company that doesn't treat you as a cheap labor team driver, there are many who only have you drive and the trainer sits in the front, and its more a mentored solo thing.

Phil

should endorsements be gotten after a company hire's you, after you complete training with them? or is possible to get the endorsements having a CDL permit?

sorry for all the questions and i greatly appreciate the replies

Get your permit first, then between the time of getting your permit and getting your CDL, take all the endorsement tests you can at the DMV. Some states will allow you to take the hazmat before you have a TSA threat asessment completed, some wont.

Phil

Mt guess is you would need at least 5 years OTR experience to get one of those jobs?