Getting Your SPE Certificate

Topic 10931 | Page 1

Page 1 of 2 Next Page Go To Page:
James C.'s Comment
member avatar

I've been trying to get my spe certificate for a year now. I was born with a birth defect to my left hand and I must get a board certified orthopedic or licensed physiatrist to sign the papers. Can anyone tell me where to go to get them signed?

Phil C.'s Comment
member avatar

Service centers are on page 3:

Skill Performance Evaluation Certificate Application

Phil

CSA:

Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)

The CSA is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are related to commercial motor vehicle

FMCSA:

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

The FMCSA was established within the Department of Transportation on January 1, 2000. Their primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries.

What Does The FMCSA Do?

  • Commercial Drivers' Licenses
  • Data and Analysis
  • Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement
  • Research and Technology
  • Safety Assistance
  • Support and Information Sharing

DOT:

Department Of Transportation

A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.

State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.

Fm:

Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager

The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.
Shannon W.'s Comment
member avatar

So my boyfriend has been trying to get his spe certificate done for almost a year now. Did you have luck finding a doctor? What did you do? We keep getting told no

I've been trying to get my spe certificate for a year now. I was born with a birth defect to my left hand and I must get a board certified orthopedic or licensed physiatrist to sign the papers. Can anyone tell me where to go to get them signed?

Robert B. (The Dragon) ye's Comment
member avatar

Shannon, who is telling him no? You'll have to find one of the types of doctors they require in your area, make an appointment and have them sign the forms which are in the packet for the SPE certificate. It's a pain in the butt but can be done. I have one for a hand injury sustained 6 years ago and just did my renewal last year.

Robert B. (The Dragon) ye's Comment
member avatar

A quick rundown on the SPE certificate application and everything else involved.

1. Either call the representative for the region you're in or download the information packet directly from the FMCSA website.

2. Fill out everything and I mean everything on those forms, double and triple check them if need be. You'll need to find a doctor to do the proper medical review. FMCSA will not refer you to one, you'll have to find them and pay for that evaluation on your own.

3. Once you have all the forms filled out, mail it, fax it, email, whatever it takes to get it to their office. Call to follow up on it because they aren't very quick about getting back to you with anything.

4. Once they review it, they will mail out your training certificate. This will allow you to train and practice your driving, pre trip and skills portion. Once you get comfortable with those, you'll have to track down your FMCSA certified State examiner. This person will actually do a review to determine that you are capable of performing the skills required to become a professional driver. Little secret, you're taking the entire CDL driving exam which you must pass but it doesn't count for your license, only to get the SPE certificate. 5. Once you pass, you will be mailed your actual certificate. At that time, you'll take the certificate with you to go take your driving test. Keep your certificate with you at all times, it's a requirement. Also send a copy to your company and you'll have to take a copy with you to the BMV for them to keep on file.

6. Your certificate must be renewed every 2 years, failure results in a licence suspension. You won't have to repeat the entire process but you do need to visit that doctor again for a follow up and the forms filled out again.

7. When you receive your renewal, you must take a copy to your BMV to be kept on file or your license will be suspended.

I hope this helps and if you have other questions, please feel free to ask.

CDL:

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:

  • Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
  • Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.

CSA:

Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)

The CSA is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are related to commercial motor vehicle

FMCSA:

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

The FMCSA was established within the Department of Transportation on January 1, 2000. Their primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries.

What Does The FMCSA Do?

  • Commercial Drivers' Licenses
  • Data and Analysis
  • Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement
  • Research and Technology
  • Safety Assistance
  • Support and Information Sharing

Fm:

Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager

The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.

Bmv:

Department of Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Motor Vehicles

The state agency that handles everything related to your driver's licences, including testing, issuance, transfers, and revocation.

HOS:

Hours Of Service

HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Shannon W.'s Comment
member avatar

Shannon, who is telling him no? You'll have to find one of the types of doctors they require in your area, make an appointment and have them sign the forms which are in the packet for the SPE certificate. It's a pain in the butt but can be done. I have one for a hand injury sustained 6 years ago and just did my renewal last year.

We've been to 5-6 different orthopedic surgeons to try & get the SPE certificate completed. The packet advises that only a board certified or board qualified orthopedic surgeon or doctor of physical medicine can complete the section. My boyfriend had surgery after his motorcycle accident which resulted in a brachial plexus injury and he currently has not function in his left arm. A plastic surgeon performed his surgery, but she can not complete the packet. Multiple qualified doctors are saying they didn't do the surgery, nor do they deal with this type of injury. We're kind of stuck and wondering if the FMSCA in GA has a waiver for the plastic surgeon or an exemption of some kind. Any tips or previous experience would help. Thanks for commenting.

Fm:

Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager

The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.
Johnathon N.'s Comment
member avatar

I only found 1 doc that would sign off and was qualified out of 15. Aside from taking a trip to fl i cant recommend anyone. Maybe start with all the major hospitals

double-quotes-start.png

Shannon, who is telling him no? You'll have to find one of the types of doctors they require in your area, make an appointment and have them sign the forms which are in the packet for the SPE certificate. It's a pain in the butt but can be done. I have one for a hand injury sustained 6 years ago and just did my renewal last year.

double-quotes-end.png

We've been to 5-6 different orthopedic surgeons to try & get the SPE certificate completed. The packet advises that only a board certified or board qualified orthopedic surgeon or doctor of physical medicine can complete the section. My boyfriend had surgery after his motorcycle accident which resulted in a brachial plexus injury and he currently has not function in his left arm. A plastic surgeon performed his surgery, but she can not complete the packet. Multiple qualified doctors are saying they didn't do the surgery, nor do they deal with this type of injury. We're kind of stuck and wondering if the FMSCA in GA has a waiver for the plastic surgeon or an exemption of some kind. Any tips or previous experience would help. Thanks for commenting.

Fm:

Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager

The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.

HOS:

Hours Of Service

HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Johnathon N.'s Comment
member avatar

I got my license first and now am waiting on the spe certification test. Everything else you said was accurate for my account thou

A quick rundown on the SPE certificate application and everything else involved.

1. Either call the representative for the region you're in or download the information packet directly from the FMCSA website.

2. Fill out everything and I mean everything on those forms, double and triple check them if need be. You'll need to find a doctor to do the proper medical review. FMCSA will not refer you to one, you'll have to find them and pay for that evaluation on your own.

3. Once you have all the forms filled out, mail it, fax it, email, whatever it takes to get it to their office. Call to follow up on it because they aren't very quick about getting back to you with anything.

4. Once they review it, they will mail out your training certificate. This will allow you to train and practice your driving, pre trip and skills portion. Once you get comfortable with those, you'll have to track down your FMCSA certified State examiner. This person will actually do a review to determine that you are capable of performing the skills required to become a professional driver. Little secret, you're taking the entire CDL driving exam which you must pass but it doesn't count for your license, only to get the SPE certificate. 5. Once you pass, you will be mailed your actual certificate. At that time, you'll take the certificate with you to go take your driving test. Keep your certificate with you at all times, it's a requirement. Also send a copy to your company and you'll have to take a copy with you to the BMV for them to keep on file.

6. Your certificate must be renewed every 2 years, failure results in a licence suspension. You won't have to repeat the entire process but you do need to visit that doctor again for a follow up and the forms filled out again.

7. When you receive your renewal, you must take a copy to your BMV to be kept on file or your license will be suspended.

I hope this helps and if you have other questions, please feel free to ask.

CDL:

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:

  • Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
  • Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.

CSA:

Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)

The CSA is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are related to commercial motor vehicle

FMCSA:

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

The FMCSA was established within the Department of Transportation on January 1, 2000. Their primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries.

What Does The FMCSA Do?

  • Commercial Drivers' Licenses
  • Data and Analysis
  • Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement
  • Research and Technology
  • Safety Assistance
  • Support and Information Sharing

Fm:

Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager

The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.

Bmv:

Department of Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Motor Vehicles

The state agency that handles everything related to your driver's licences, including testing, issuance, transfers, and revocation.

HOS:

Hours Of Service

HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
cfc's Comment
member avatar

Jonathan N, how did everything work out?

I got my license first and now am waiting on the spe certification test. Everything else you said was accurate for my account thou

cfc's Comment
member avatar

I finally got a yes from a Orthopedic clinic. Appointment in a few a weeks, hopefully all goes well!

I've been trying to get my spe certificate for a year now. I was born with a birth defect to my left hand and I must get a board certified orthopedic or licensed physiatrist to sign the papers. Can anyone tell me where to go to get them signed?

Page 1 of 2 Next Page Go To Page:

New Reply:

New! Check out our help videos for a better understanding of our forum features

Bold
Italic
Underline
Quote
Photo
Link
Smiley
Links On TruckingTruth


example: TruckingTruth Homepage



example: https://www.truckingtruth.com
Submit
Cancel
Upload New Photo
Please enter a caption of one sentence or less:

Click on any of the buttons below to insert a link to that section of TruckingTruth:

Getting Started In Trucking High Road Training Program Company-Sponsored Training Programs Apply For Company-Sponsored Training Truck Driver's Career Guide Choosing A School Choosing A Company Truck Driving Schools Truck Driving Jobs Apply For Truck Driving Jobs DOT Physical Drug Testing Items To Pack Pre-Hire Letters CDL Practice Tests Trucking Company Reviews Brett's Book Leasing A Truck Pre-Trip Inspection Learn The Logbook Rules Sleep Apnea
Done
Done

0 characters so far - 5,500 maximum allowed.
Submit Preview

Preview:

Submit
Cancel

Why Join Trucking Truth?

We have an awesome set of tools that will help you understand the trucking industry and prepare for a great start to your trucking career. Not only that, but everything we offer here at TruckingTruth is 100% free - no strings attached! Sign up now and get instant access to our member's section:
High Road Training Program Logo
  • The High Road Training Program
  • The High Road Article Series
  • The Friendliest Trucker's Forum Ever!
  • Email Updates When New Articles Are Posted

Apply For Paid CDL Training Through TruckingTruth

Did you know you can fill out one quick form here on TruckingTruth and apply to several companies at once for paid CDL training? Seriously! The application only takes one minute. You will speak with recruiters today. There is no obligation whatsoever. Learn more and apply here:

Apply For Paid CDL Training