Advice For Getting Started; Amputee Driver
Topic 18316 | Page 1
I'm currently dealing with the red tape of FMCSA. It does take a lot of paperwork & time. I've gotta take my exam next month to get the SPE waiver. What I did was got the forms from FMCSA via mail then had them filled out between me & my doctor(or the person who did the surgery). Then I got DOT physical. After that I sent the DOT physical exam papers with the SPE forms in the mail. After that got call from local DMV to schedule a date to do the test. I can let you know what happens next month when I take it. I hope I pass it!
CSA:
Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)
The CSA is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are related to commercial motor vehicle
FMCSA:
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
The FMCSA was established within the Department of Transportation on January 1, 2000. Their primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries.
What Does The FMCSA Do?
- Commercial Drivers' Licenses
- Data and Analysis
- Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement
- Research and Technology
- Safety Assistance
- Support and Information Sharing
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.Fm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.DMV:
Department of Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
The state agency that handles everything related to your driver's licences, including testing, issuance, transfers, and revocation.
Thanks for reply. I looked at some of your past comments... looks like you went through training already in the last year or so.
I'm just starting the process. The forms for the SPE that I saw, looks like I need to be at the point where I'm ready to start with a company. let me know if you have anything to add.
thanks again
SPE certificate holder here and getting ready to fill out for my renewal. Aside from the red tape and misery of dealing with the painfully slow process of a government agency, it's really not all that bad. The actual test you'll take with the SPE certified examiner is the exact same test as your CDL exam. Pre trip, followed by skills and then 2 driving tests separated by a 15 minute break. Once you pass that portion, you'll be issued the certificate which gets renewed every two years, the renewal is just the forms and doctor exam though, not the skills test again unless your physical abilities have deteriorated. You don't have to be signed on with a company to apply for the certificate but whoever you work for has to have a copy of the certificate to accompany your long form physical.
If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Can you please tell me the name of the othropedic surgeon and where I can find him, who filled out your paperwork
SPE certificate holder here and getting ready to fill out for my renewal. Aside from the red tape and misery of dealing with the painfully slow process of a government agency, it's really not all that bad. The actual test you'll take with the SPE certified examiner is the exact same test as your CDL exam. Pre trip, followed by skills and then 2 driving tests separated by a 15 minute break. Once you pass that portion, you'll be issued the certificate which gets renewed every two years, the renewal is just the forms and doctor exam though, not the skills test again unless your physical abilities have deteriorated. You don't have to be signed on with a company to apply for the certificate but whoever you work for has to have a copy of the certificate to accompany your long form physical.
If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Todd, I went to a physiatrist they seem to be more likely than any Orthopedic surgeon to complete paperwork at least for me. I've seen orthopedic surgeons for knee surgery but not for my amputation. None would see me fo complete forms. Just happened that a physiatrist was in same medical bldg as prosthetic lab. Th try got me in same day. Best of luck to ya
Can anyone provide a good advise ? I am in the process of getting CDL class A but because of my amputation I would need Skill Performance Evaluation. Has any amputee truck drivers finished the complete process if did please write me a response on the complete procedure and how long the it will take to complete the process. Thank you,regards. Asif Chishti
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
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Hey all, I'm new to the site and the industry. Just wondering if anyone has experience cutting through the red-tape to start driving with a prosthesis (below the knee in my case). I contacted the regional HSMV and they weren't real helpful, directing me to their site that just had a waiver application for those who are ready to start with a company... and I'm not there yet. Any responses would be greatly appreciated.
Regional:
Regional Route
Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.