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

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

Basically, the way it used to work, not to mention the way it makes the most sense is that a driver applicant went for a physical, whether with a specific company or merely renewing their medical card. At that point, they would meet with the examiner who would then determine if it was truly needed or not. At that point, the paperwork was filled out and the process completed. The difference now is that the review by the examiner is the very last part before the certificate is issued and you’re stuck with it where as before, the examiner could make that decision and avoid all the paperwork and time consuming wait. According to my examiner, he saw it as a money grab as so many chiropractors found a lucrative business in doing DOT physicals and because there are strict requirements for maintaining that certification, they’re more apt to check the box requiring the certificate without actually realizing some don’t meet the criteria.

Essentially what happened in my case was that I had a physical, the chiro felt I needed it, I jumped through all the hoops and finally met up with the examiner who’s first words were, why are you here? He flat out told me there was no reason to be in the program and then explained how it used to work and why, along with his current beliefs and complaints in the changes. I finished up and received the certificate and spent 4 years getting released from the program.

I saw the MD today to ask some questions. He said he would put a referral in for the Ortho Surgeon and that once I have that visit completed and the forms filled out that I will pass the DOT no problem.

So it looks like that is my next step, see the ortho, get the forms, fax/mail them to FMCSA for a waiver.

Then bring the waiver to DOT, complete DOT.

Get CDL permit and begin training with the company (which requires there own DOT exam before I can begin training but that's ok cause I should have documentation in my hand at this point to aid the process).

Get comfortable to pass the test.

Schedule skills test with an SPE evaluator for my state.

Take and pass the SPE evaluators test.

Beyond that it gets a little murky without all the paperwork in front of me. I just wanted to update on the process. I also, regardless of the outcome, will be providing a summary of my experience on here in case it helps others. I appreciate Robert and O/S for their parts in steering me in the right direction.

More than happy to help and one of the rare few things I can be off some help with lol. Good luck and if you have anymore questions, feel free to tag me.