Hello And Drug Testing Question

Hello! My names Skyler Harris and I'm from Washington state. I'm looking to start cdl training here in a few weeks one way or another. I just want to say this forum has been an incredibly useful tool in understanding the process of obtaining a cdl and the overall lifestyle that trucking provides. So thank you all so much for that.

Last night I applied at Wilson and Prime. I was originally planning to use Amazon career choice (I work at Amazon) to obtain my cdl through 160 academy but I dont like the automatic restriction and I am having some scheduling difficulties trying to get into their 1 month course. Mainly though, I'm thinking of avoiding it because it doesnt seem very thorough compared to a lot of the training programs that companies offer. I feel like being on the road operating in real world environments with a trainer would make such a huge difference. I've pulled a few trailers on the highway before when I worked in North Dakota but that was hotshot with a pickup. I also drove yard dog at a beverage company for a couple years after that backing reefers and bottle trucks into doors and moving oj tankers but like, I'm pretty green really. I just feel like there's a lot to learn for a 1 month course that's trying to keep it's pass rates high and I'm trying to be as successful as possible. Any thoughts on academies like 160 vs paid cdl training programs?

Anyway, I'm also wondering if Prime or Wilson do hair follicle tests? I'm seeing mixed answers on Prime and no answer at all for Wilson. Wilson is closer to my region but im worried about potential issues in a follicle test. Theoretically I should pass on the mj front because the last time I smoked any weed was the beginning of February but my concern is over the 5 vicodin I was prescribed. I had a wisdom tooth extracted last Thursday and they prescribed me 5 hydrocodone 5s for post op pain management. At the time I figured no big deal I have a prescription for this but now I'm concerned because they misspelled my name as Skylar on the bottle. I pointed it out to the lady at walgreens but didn't notice they never fixed it until I got home. I know the documents that I filled out at the oral surgeon were all accurate at least. Should I try to get a copy from them about the script? I'm not sure if the doctor maybe was the one who spelled my name wrong originally or not, I never even checked. I was kind of out of it after surgery but stopped at walgreens on the way home so I didnt have to go back to town later. None of this will matter if I'm not up against the follicle test but I'd really like to have my ducks in a row either way just in case. Has anyone had to deal with type of thing before?

Thanks for taking the time to read my first post and for all the answers this forum provides. Seriously, this site has been the greatest source of information I've found anywhere on trucking.

A search of this forum should be MORE than enough information regarding drug use, time from last use, and how you can tank your career before you start.

Skyler, welcome to Trucking Truth.

If you have the opportunity to go with Career Choice, do that!

The course is 160 hours like any other CDL class. You will get the training and practice you need to move into a OTR career.

I know this because I have taught Career Choice - I'm one of the original trainers, based in Memphis. That will be your best deal - to have someone else pay full boat for the class.

A search of this forum should be MORE than enough information regarding drug use, time from last use, and how you can tank your career before you start.

There is certainly a lot of information regarding drug policies on this forum. Most the posts about hair follicle testing at either of the companies appeared to be very old though. By the time I do any testing marijuana will have long cleared my system my only concern is over the misspelled name on my prescription a week ago. I found nothing utilizing search regarding that situation. Thanks for your reply! I'm sure if you had a nickel for every time some 1 poster asked a drug question you'd have a lot of nickels.

Skyler, Witcher to Trucking Truth.

If you have the opportunity to go with Career Choice, do that!

The course is 160 hours like any other CDL class. You will get the training and practice you need to move into a OTR career.

I know this because I have taught Career Choice - I'm one of the original trainers, based in Memphis. That will be your best deal - to have someone else pay full boat for the class.

This is most likely what I'll be doing. I'm not fond of the automatic restriction but apparently Prime doesn't hire out of my region anyways. Also not having to worry about owing any money is pretty nice! Thanks for the advice.

Skyler, there is little to worry about with the automatic restriction. In very few cases is it a factor anymore for new drivers.

Also, double check the hair follicle information. I think the advice is to be clean for 1 year before a follicle test. Don’t confuse a urine test with a follicle test.

You don't have to worry about the Vicodin prescription medicine. That will be out of your system and won't show in any hair follicle test. Your name being slightly misspelled is not anything to be concerned about. You need to be more worried about your illegal drug that you took. We tell people to wait a full year because everybody's metabolism gets rid of it at different time frames. However, Errol says it takes only 3 months.

Here are some links for you to look at:

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road CDL Training Program
• CDL Practice Tests

Skyler, there is little to worry about with the automatic restriction. In very few cases is it a factor anymore for new drivers.

Also, double check the hair follicle information. I think the advice is to be clean for 1 year before a follicle test. Don’t confuse a urine test with a follicle test.

I read on here that it shouldn't be much of a problem but I've also seen a few different positions looking for "class A cdl no restrictions" as well. It seems like more of the local jobs are preferring no restrictions so I'm hoping it won't be an issue for most otr positions.

I'd read that most follicle tests are designed to look back 90 days but could potentially go back up to a year+ if they wanted to. I'm not at all ashamed that I used to smoke. I quit before I decided to pursue a cdl and have no issue with not smoking going forward. I don't know if there's some kind of stigma around that in the trucking industry but I feel fine explaining that to a recruiter. Or I feel like I should be fine anyway. If only wishing made it so! I'll definitely look into that further. If I have to wait to utilize my license then I will. Thanks for the warning!

I know I'm good as far as a urinalysis goes. I was just over a week ago and passed just fine. It's not an illegal drug in my state! Lol. I know that doesn't make any bit of difference when it comes to dot and the government standards so i get what you mean. What I've gathered information wise is this.

Generally a hair follicle sample will be taken from the top of the head and they use the closest 1.5 inches to the scalp for sample. This would usually indicate any drug use within the last 90 days.

Alternately they can use any hair sample over 1.5 inches from the body. Usually this is leg or armpit hair. If they take a body sample it's much harder to tell how long ago the drug use occurred due to varying hair growth time.

I also think I misunderstood what BK was getting at there. In my head I was thinking like if they pull a sample I'd explain that yeah I smoked weed 8 months ago. I think that's not the case and i'd be looking at a failed pre-employment and the fattest black mark on my applications going forward. I'd say it's definitely better to wait longer then 3 months on the follicle testing! I shall be avoiding this for an entire year I think.

Shouldn't be any issues for me going forward though. I sorted out the schedule with 160 and my work so I'll be training from the 13th of this month to June 21st! Thank you guys all so much for your answers

You don't have to worry about the Vicodin prescription medicine. That will be out of your system and won't show in any hair follicle test. Your name being slightly misspelled is not anything to be concerned about. You need to be more worried about your illegal drug that you took. We tell people to wait a full year because everybody's metabolism gets rid of it at different time frames. However, Errol says it takes only 3 months.

Here are some links for you to look at:

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road CDL Training Program
• CDL Practice Tests

I'd also like to add that I feel like my original questions kinda getting lost here. I definitely didn't mean for this to be a "will I pass this drug test" thread. I was pretty certain that I would be fine apart from the misspelling on my vicodin prescription. Don't get me wrong I'm now less convinced about that knowing that they could pull body hair and I would be in trouble. So I definitely appreciate the feedback.

I've decided to go the 160 route though so it doenst really matter very much anyways. Waiting a bit longer over the follicle stuff makes me less concerned about the spelling error in my script too. I was mostly just concerned I'd show up at orientation, get a follicle test showing vicodin in my system from however long ago and they'd be side eyeing my misspelled name script like I'm a shady drug addict haha.

Hello Skyler, and welcome to our forum!

I think you are misunderstanding a few things. Let's talk about this so you can move forward.

First... nobody will be taking hair samples from other body parts as long as you have hair available from your head. They aren't trying to trip you up with a surprise visit to your armpits.

Second... I don't see that misspelled name as an issue. I don't even think the vicodin will show up, but if you have a prescription and list it with the questions they have you answer pre-test, you will be fine.

Third... you said this:

I shall be avoiding this for an entire year I think.

Shouldn't be any issues for me going forward though. I sorted out the schedule with 160 and my work so I'll be training from the 13th of this month to June 21st!

It's a big mistake to wait a year after obtaining your license to start seeking employment in trucking. These companies want you to start fresh out of school whenever possible. Most of them consider any time period longer than two or three months as making your CDL "stale." It's really difficult to get hired without trying immediately after obtaining your CDL. This problem is exacerbated right now during the current freight recession.

If you're going to do this, you need to pull the trigger with a full commitment to get started now. Delays will only hinder your progress if you're already licensed.