You need a medical card before you can take the permit test?

MA you need the med card before the written test. The reason being, they don't want to test you if they know you cant pass the med card.

 

I'll be going through the PA permit application process myself in 2 weeks and it is my understanding that I must have the DOT physical completed prior to obtaining the CDL permit. The law was intended to ensure drivers are medically qualified to operate a CMV. You are an ‘operator’ regardless of whether you hold a CDL or a CDL permit.

My pupils are dilated from an Optometrist visit yesterday so I’m struggling to see all this on the screen, but my interpretation of the PA DL-11-CD is that you still need to pass the DOT physical prior to obtaining the permit. And for my own benefit; I wanted to have the DOT physical done regardless of requirements to make sure there are no medical issues that would ultimately prevent me from obtaining a CDL. The ‘self-certification’ on that form is just that; you are personally certifying the info is correct until the state can verify it through other sources.

Also, here is an excerpt from the PA CDL Manual under Section 1.2 Medical Documentation requirements;

If you are applying for a CDL Permit; or are renewing, upgrading, adding endorsements to a CDL; or transferring a CDL from another state, you are required to provide information to your State Driver’s License Agency (SDLA) regarding the type of commercial motor vehicle operation you drive in or expect to drive in with your CDL. Drivers operating in certain types of commerce will be required to submit a current medical examiner’s certificate and/or any medical variance documents that you have been issued (i.e. vision, Skills Performance or Diabetic waivers, or other exemptions) to your SDLA to obtain a “certified” medical status as part of your CDLIS driving record.

 

CLP/Commercial Learner's Permit.

Actually it does. States have been required to have applicants self certify and present a med certificate if either NI or NA is selected for over four years. As I stated though some states have been somewhat lax in requiring it though.


383.73: State procedures.


(a) Commercial Learner's Permit. (1) Prior to July 8, 2015. When issuing a CLP to a person prior to July 8, 2015, a State must meet the requirements in § 383.71(a)(1):...

(vii) Beginning January 30, 2012, for drivers who certified their type of driving according to § 383.71(b)(1)(i) (non-excepted interstate) and, if the CLP applicant submits a current medical examiner's certificate, date-stamp the medical examiner's certificate, and post all required information from the medical examiner's certificate to the CDLIS driver record in accordance with paragraph (o) of this section.

(o) Medical recordkeeping —(1) Status of CDL holder. Beginning January 30, 2012, for each operator of a commercial motor vehicle required to have a CLP or CDL, the current licensing State must:

(i) Post the driver's self-certification of type of driving under § 383.71(b)(1),...

(ii) Retain the original or a copy of the medical certificate of any driver required to provide documentation of physical qualification for 3 years beyond the date the certificate was issued, and

(iii) Post the information from the medical examiner's certificate within 10 calendar days to the CDLIS driver record, including:...

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/title49/section/383.73

 

That is a great question. You probably can, but I can't say I am 100% certain of that. I think what they are trying to do is prevent someone from operating a CMV until they have the permit, and my understanding is that in order to get the permit you must take the DOT physical. Personally, I will have my DOT physical completed before I apply for the permit. You are going to have to have that DOT physical done at some point very early in this process.

This is from page 23 in the new (208 page) PA CDL manual;

When your application is processed, you will be issued a knowledge test authorization if any privileges applied for require a knowledge test. Once you successfully complete your knowledge test(s), the Drivers License Center will issue you the skill permit for your skills testing.

Note that you must wait 15 days after receiving your permit before taking your Skills (driving) test.

 

Never heard of a school doing them, I know mine didn't and my buddy went to another place near mine, asked him his didn't either.

 

I have the same opinion about showing up at a company or CDL school with permit in hand, but I wanted to have some of this done on my own before going somewhere for training only to get shown the door if I failed a physical. I still have to see a DOT doctor, but I've taken the pee test for diabetes and had a bunch of other tests run so I know now I can walk through the door with no issues. I had my blood work done at a facility my DOT doctor uses for $65. I have no idea what his fee will be but I am expecting $125 to $150.

 

They check for the diabetes but I did the blood work for a more in-depth check and that was on my own. The test checked a bunch of things that could have indicated medical issues. I haven't had an complete physical for over 4 years and for my own peace of mind wanted to make sure I would pass a DOT before going through all the trouble of heading off to a school. I still have to see the DOT doctor but at this point I consider it a formality.