California Skill Performance Evaluation Questions For Aspiring Driver With Foot Drop Corrected With Brace

Hello,

I am 31 and in great physical health except for footdrop of my right foot. It is corrected by a brace that allows me full range of motion down and side to side and then returns my foot to neutral. My DOT examiner where I currently work (in a health clinic) said that foot drop is an automatic fail, which I understand. He had me attempt to walk across the exam room crouched and barefoot. Without my brace, I cannot do that. With the brace I was able to do everything he asked effortlessly. He did not process the application, as he told me to speak to a neurologist for a letter saying I could drive with the brace. I have no limitations attached to my regular drivers license, nor is my life/physical ability affected by my foot drop due to the brace. I want to make a career change to drive commercial vehicles. I know I am fully capable of performing safely, or I wouldn't even consider this field of work. In searching for a way forward, I discovered the SPE certificate. When I look through the application for that, it seems you can apply without having a job offer. I was wondering if anyone has experience or knowledge with what the process (SPE) is like? I have never driven a commercial rig before, so I guess I am confused about the cart before the horse. To take a class to get your CDL or apply for a sponsored program you have to have a permit. How do I get a permit with my limb impairment? Am I able to apply for the Skill Performance Evaluation without a permit? Because I seems like you have to take a skills competency test. I have zero doubt about my ability to operate a commercial vehicle with some instruction, but seeing as I have never had an opportunity to drive one, my chances of passing a test that requires actually driving would be difficult without some instruction and practice. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. I hope I have communicated my situation clearly. To further clarify the nature of my impairment, my nerve that lifts my foot was severed in an accident as a teen. It will not heal more than it has at this point. The condition is stable though and I can't imagine the condition ever worsening. Using my brace, I am more active and able than most people I encounter in life. I prefer driving manual, my truck is a manual and I also ride motorcycles with no issues or limitations. Most people are completely unaware that I have any form of limb impairment unless I share it with them. I also want a license that will allow me to operate manual and automatic, not just automatic. I firmly believe there is a way forward, it just may have hoops. I am attempting to identify my next hoop and the proper order. Thank you!!

Garet garetrose@live.com

Hello Garet, welcome to our forum!

This is something very few of us have knowledge on. I am going to give you a link to another conversation in here on this subject. Make sure and follow the links the person who started the thread provides. Some of them are links to some advice from one of our members who has dealt with this issue. I hope you find your answers there. If not, I am sure Robert will see this and respond when he can. He's a busy man - he's a truck driver. He's great with this stuff and he's very helpful.

Information On SPE Certificate

Thank you Oldschool. I am reading through that thread now, and just came back to thank you, but right in the first thing on that page is more info than on the SPE Cert website!! I appreciate that link and your time!!

You are welcome sir!

I've always remembered how helpful the information was that Robert shared. These government bureaucracies can make something so difficult to understand. A regular citizen who has had to navigate this mess can break it down and make it a lot more understandable.

Thanks O/S !!! I’ll definitely try to be as helpful as I can. You’ll fall into a different division than I did but the process should still be very similar in regards to the paperwork and testing. If you can get paperwork that will allow you to work around it, I’d definitely suggest it. In my particular case, I’ve been released from the program because after 4 years, I was able to prove that I legitimately didn’t need it (I consider myself somewhat lucky).

I asked the examiner who didn't complete my first attempt (PA) at a DOT about the SPE process and he claimed he never hear of it. He maintained that Footdrop is an automatic fail and there is no way forward or around it. So is this something that some providers may not be familiar with? I have two Dr. Apts tomorrow. One with a different examiner (MD) that can do DOTs, but its questions about the DOT and not an actual one yet. Second is with a Neurologist which is what the first examiner suggested I go to for a letter saying with the brace I have no restrictions or concerns.

Is there different levels of the DOT or is it just pass or fail? Do I need to go and fail a DOT officially for the process of SPE? Does it help to go to a provider that actually knows what an SPE is?

I am trying to cover my bases and take the correct step forward. Thanks!

It’s a tough question to answer because different DOT certified doctors can make different assessments. Mine started at Knight with the chiropractor who did my exam there. I already had a current medical card that didn’t require the certificate but he decided I needed it. My 2 year re certification didn’t check the box and follow up appointments with my orthopedic surgeon stated that there was no reason for me to have it and that’s when FMCSA released me from the requirements. Even the skills test examiner couldn’t understand why I was there because my situation in no way impacted my ability to perform the skills required in our profession. Many medical professionals don’t know what it is and even fewer companies are aware of it. Out of the 3.5 million drivers out there, roughly 3,000 fall into the criteria requiring it. I’d suggest asking any company you’re interested in to prove that they’re aware of it and how it works. If you can get that letter from the neurosurgeon, it’ll be a huge help and possibly keep you from having to deal with it at all.

One thing I just thought about that might help you out. Part of the process includes meeting with a certified SPE examiner who effectively runs you through the entire pre trip, skills and driving exam. It’s the last thing you do before receiving the actual certificate but there’s a kicker. Before the process became so wrapped up in bureaucracy, that examiner would have been the first person you would meet with to determine whether or not you actually needed the certificate, NOT the doctor performing your physical. It might take a bit of digging, possibly contacting the FMCSA representative for your area. If you can contact that examiner, he or she might be able to determine whether or not you’ll need the certificate to begin with.

That is not a bad idea at all. I will contact FMCSA tomorrow (I have called twice but didn't leave a message as I was hoping to get someone on the phone when its convenient for me) and leave a message. Hopefully I can locate this person and gain some insight from them.

When you said that "he decided that you needed it" he was aware of the existence of the SPE?