Missing limb

You may be eligible for a waiver. Check with the DMV/DOT of the state where you live, they can tell you all you need. Talk to a person at their office and explain your concerns, they should be able to give you help going thru the process. Good Luck

 

I know a couple drivers that are paraplegia from the waist down that drive big truck and have their trucks modified with wheelchair lifts in the sleepers for getting in and out so I'm sure it can be done as they are considered lose of two limbs. I'm sure every situation is different in cases like yours. The one guy I know personally and his insurance company paid for all his truck modifications in order for him to return back to work and drive like he always loved to do.

Good luck and I wish you all the best I admire guys like you and keep us posted as I'm sure there are others out there to that would like to know more including myself

 

I'm confused as much as you and I know the regulations well. Maybe someone else with a SPE can chime in.

I read:

You can't get your CDL without a medical certificate.

You can't get your medical certificate without the SPE.

You can't get your SPE without employment.

You can't get your employment without your CDL.

Hopefully the way I read the dead circle is messed up.

I would think your first step is to download and print out the SPE and go get a DOT physical (walk-in clinics are typically cheaper). They might refer you to a qualifying orthopedic doctor in the process for referral or complete a portion of the certificate.

Then go get your CDL permit and seek employment through a training company.

Once you get to the company you will have to go through the physical process again which is quite normal. With the SPE in hand it should be a breeze.

Then complete your training, get your CDL and go out with a trainer for 6-8 weeks.

When the trainer signs you off then you will be on your own.

 

I talked to a driver at the fuel islands that has 2 artificial legs. He got around as good as anyone & had to have passed the DOT physical.

 

I'm missing a lamb...Oh sorry, wrong thread..

 

I've helped several people over the years get through this. You can download the SPE forms and instructions from http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/documents/safetyprograms/spe-certificate-package.pdf. You will need either a company or school "sponsor". When you reach the point of needing a road test, usually a FMCSA rep will have to test you (Louisiana may be different and allow their examiners to test) and the ones I have dealt with are quite anal. For instance they would not allow any prosthesis other than a hook. They also required a spinner (suicide knob). If you have questions you can call a lady named Esther at the Atlanta FMCSA office. She is quite helpful, but sometimes hard to reach.

Best regards

 

There was a Swift driver that drove a W900. He had both hands were gone and he had the hooks. When you first see the guy, you have to do a double take. I bet every single day, he has to prove himself. Well, he has my respect, because I know that he has to be one hell of a driver.

 

My uncle has no left arm. Well he does but only slightly above the elbow. He has a fake arm and drove a truck about a year ago. He was up in Montana and got pulled over by a state trooper. The trooper saw he had a fake arm. My uncle had no idea he had to have a special waiver to say he can drive with a fake arm. I mean he'd been driving for 30 years (car and trucks) and never known it. The trooper wouldn't let him move that truck a inch and his dispatcher/owner of the truck had to come to Montana and drive it back to Tennessee. I really can't remember what process he had to do before he could go back. But I wouldn't go anywhere without approval and a paper saying you can drive. I say paper but I don't know if they stamp it on your license or what.

 

Forgot to say, best of luck to you, Greg. And if you don't mind, could you do one of those Internet blogs on YouTube? I would think your journey to the bigroad would be interesting as hell. No guts, no glory.