Help! CPAP Issue.
Topic 19513 | Page 1
A few things leaped out at me when I read your post.
1. Lots of companies will hire you with less than 1 year OTR. Have you checked with local food (MacLeod, Sysco) and beverage distributors? I know a driver who worked for the Budweiser distributor in New Orleans right out of driving school! I can't make specific recommendations without knowing your location.
2. Many employers will pay for your D.O.T. physical. it's usually the next step after the in-person interview. Even if you don't get hired or choose not to accept their offer the long form is still yours to keep and submit to your local DMV.
3. I don't know all the details about your non-compliance, but I do know that in many cases a driver who doesn't qualify for a 2-year card can get a short-term card (1-year, 6 months, etc.). How long would you need to extend to take care of your compliance issue?
4. The other concern you should have is that after enough time has passed employers may no longer be interested because of your lack of recent experience. A CDL isn't a Twinkie that you can put on the shelf and come back to in 5/10/50 years. While it may still be valid with the DMV employers will demand that you at least take a refresher or even go back to truck driving school after enough time has passed. The cut-off I see most often is one year OTR in the last three years, but YMMV.
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.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
BMI:
Body mass index (BMI)
BMI is a formula that uses weight and height to estimate body fat. For most people, BMI provides a reasonable estimate of body fat. The BMI's biggest weakness is that it doesn't consider individual factors such as bone or muscle mass. BMI may:
- Underestimate body fat for older adults or other people with low muscle mass
- Overestimate body fat for people who are very muscular and physically fit
It's quite common, especially for men, to fall into the "overweight" category if you happen to be stronger than average. If you're pretty strong but in good shape then pay no attention.
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.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.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
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So, I got my CDL around April of last year and I passed my physical and all that, got hired by a company and ended up having to do a sleep study and get a CPAP. That's all fine and dandy, both my brother and father have had to get them. I quit trucking for personal reasons at the end of October later that year and decided I didn't want to do over the road driving, I haven't found a company yet beside WM that will accept a CDL driver with under a year experience so I've just been taking care of family and pizza delivering in the mean time till I can find something. Anyways, I got an email about a month ago reminding me that I need to update my medical card, and I know to keep the CDL you have to get it renewed, but when I went in they told me I had to get a note from my doctor stating that I've been compliant with it, I haven't. Between moving 4 times in the last 6 months, taking care of my sick grandfather and not having a steady job I've let it go, I know, it's bad. So now I'm stuck with an almost expired medical card, no insurance, so even if I did get an appt with a doctor I'd probably be too much for my budget right now, and a non compliment sleep history. I just feel kinda idotic. Short from somehow getting it compliment before it expires, I'll have to either beg the doc to help or jokingly slip him a Franklin or two, or even worse just give up having my CDL. I'm really unsure of what to do. I know I'm not going to drive over the road again so it would make since to just downgrade my license so I don't even have to bother but I put so much work into getting it, and would rather keep it updated if I can. Is there anyway to explain to them that I'm not planning on driving interstate anymore and just need it for local work? Or am I doomed to being just another four wheeler again? Any comments or advice would be much appreciated!
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
Over The Road:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
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.
Interstate:
Commercial trade, business, movement of goods or money, or transportation from one state to another, regulated by the Federal Department Of Transportation (DOT).
CPAP:
Constant Positive Airway Pressure
CPAP is a breathing assist device which is worn over the mouth or nose. It provides nighttime relief for individuals who suffer from Sleep Apnea.