Profile For Offset Rookie

I just got a response from Stan Kasterke, head of PSD training. He states that due to new federal rules you MUST come to Prime with your permit from your home state. You will pass the test for the CDL and be given the test scores to take home. You will be routed home once you pass. They have been doing this for a year in the Salt Lake city terminal and have apparently worked out any kinks.

Keep in mind how fast these people respond. I emailed them an hour ago at my customer and I got the response already.

Does that also apply to the CDL training for Jim Palmer in Missouri too? Just curious. :)

Prime has changed this policy now. If you speak with a recruiter they will let you know not to get your permit now before you come as Missouri will not let you transfer it over, so you end up having to retake it when you get there. The only people they have get them before coming in Missouri residents. Hope this helps you some.

Thank you for the heads up! I was unaware of that. I guess I'll get in contact with a recruiter and figure out what I will need to do. You have definitely saved me time and money.

Yeah, the first part of JJ's comment says permit, but going through the High Road Training Program on your own isn't any rush. (Except the rush you get from passing the test on the first go! 😁) I also had my permit in hand my first day at Swift's Academy.

Yeah, that's exactly what I'm doing lol. The High Road Training Program has been real helpful so far. I'd rather go at my pace than be rushed if I get my permit at school. I would like to experience passing the test on the first go! :)

Errol, I think he's only talking about getting his permit on his own. Of course now days many times you'll have to re-do it if you go to a school outside your state.

Yes, what Old School said. I just want to get a head start before I go to the Prime CDL training. :)

Follow this link, (copy and paste if needed then use search feature it will provide you with all the registered doctors in your area.

Its the law that they are registered - easiest to start here,

https://nationalregistry.fmcsa.dot.gov/NRPublicUI/home.seam

Well thank you! I had no clue this was available.

I have a chiro by me who does them for $40.

Most other places are $80-120.

What are you PLANNING ON DOING with this Permit?

If you are going to a "company sponsored school", that doesn't REQUIRE YOU TO HAVE A PERMIT when you show up - you are wasting your time & $$, as they are going to have you get a new permit and require you to take THEIR PHYSICAL anyways.

There's no "rushing though it". If you do the High Road Training Program here on this site - you will be more than ready to pass the permit test WHEREVER YOU GO.

Rick

Well, daggonit, I might have to check my local chiros and see if they would be any cheaper than my other options. I do plan on going with Prime and from what I read they recommend that I get the permit before going to training. They only give four days to get my CDL permit if I don't have it yet and I don't believe I'd be able to pass as well as doing it from home. I also think the transition from already having a permit to on-the-road training would seem a lot less stressful than having to instantly study as soon as I get there. I have been doing the High Road Training Program lately and it's been very helpful thus far. I'm just trying to get everything together ahead of time.

Check with the Company you plan to go with. I know Swift has a list of their approved Clinics. I used one on their list, got my card, got my permit, went to the Phoenix Academy, no problems. Some people had to re do theirs at Swift because the Doctor's/ Clinics weren't on the "Approved" list.

Good luck!

That's awesome that Swift has those resources at hand! I will have to see if Prime might have similar resources that I could utilize as well.

To me that isn't too bad of a price. You could also check with some of the local Walk In Clinics or Urgent Care walk in clinics. There is one by my house that does them as low as $79. I live in Tennessee. Also your personal doctor my be certified to do them. It doesn't hurt to ask.

Thank you for the advice! I will have to look into those options and weigh out the best choice. $79 sounds a lot more reasonable to me but then again I will have to see what my state typically charges.

Hey all! I am considering getting my CDL permit on my own time instead of rushing through it if I go to a school sponsored CDL training program. It requires that I get my med card before doing anything else. I have seen that CVS has their MinuteClinic service that provides a DOT physical which meets DOT and FMCSA requirements in most of their locations. It costs $109 according to the website. Are there any other places that provide convenient DOT physicals that are also possibly cheaper? Thank you in advance!

Welcome to the forum JJ.

Not sure if you had a chance to check out the below links:

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

These will provide you an excellent information primer; set realistic expectations, and help prepare you for passing the CDL permit exams.

Good luck!

Awesome! Thank you for the links. There is so much I knew little about going through them. I really do appreciate it.