Prospective Driver W/ Mild Type II Diabetes

Hey all,

I've long considered the option of becoming a trucker, local or long-haul, for several reasons. First, despite being a college graduate, jobs are extremely hard to come by. Next, it's sort of a family tradition -- my uncle, an aunt, and my grandfather all drive/drove. And, to be blunt, I both love driving and enjoy my own company on the road. I've driven cross-country in my own cars and trucks over the last fourteen years at least fifteen times, round trip, and while that's nothing compared to what some truckers amass in a year alone, I've rarely had trouble balancing out my driving with sleep, breaks, and entertainment. I love the road. I love new places, even recalling, "Yeah, I've been through here before." And I'm a writer. Not a great one by any stretch, but I figure the solitude might be good for dictating some of my stories while on long stretches. Maybe that's a pipe dream, but I'd like a shot at finding out. In all honesty, I've jumped around from job to job, college to college, done so many things you couldn't imagine, but I still have yet to find something to earn a paycheck that I can deal with, that leaves me to my thoughts without any bothersome work dramas day in and day out.

Thing is, I'm diabetic. Not seriously so, mind you, but it is a reality I live with daily. I'm definitely not anywhere near the level of a Type I diabetic -- no crashing or comas or anything like that. I don't inject insulin, rather I manage my blood-glucose levels through diet and exercise, and I've so far been as healthy as anyone else. But I heard trucking companies don't tend to want to employ diabetics, despite research online suggesting, to me, that there should be plenty of acceptance by now of certain low-risk diabetic drivers. I mean, whether one is diabetic, there are certainly non-diabetics out there that choose to drive while intoxicated, exhausted, etc. Still, is this going to be an issue? Are there any diabetic drivers out there that can offer any advice, any tips? I mean, I've read how much drivers can make -- although, I'm sure it'll take time for me to even get close to those yearly earnings. But I know I'd make a great driver. I seriously want to do this.

While I've never had any accidents, I did have a license suspension recently, though that was only because of Virginia's insurance verification laws, and it was ultimately retracted because they didn't know I had moved out of state and had already acquired a Washington license, sold my Virginia-registered car, bought a new one in Washington, etc. Is that going to be an issue, too? If so, does a willingness to start at the bottom help my case? Am I worrying over nothing, or are there certain companies that are willing to look beyond the transcript and see the person?

Any insights would be greatly appreciated.

Other info: I'm 31. I'm also as clean living as they come -- ever since being diagnosed diabetic, I've sort of grown up and started taking my health a bit more seriously, and I was never into anything else besides cigarettes. I've got great vision, I learn quickly, and I have a great instinct for driving amid the insanity, and even boredom, of the road.

Name's Jason. And thanks in advance.

Howdy Jason!

Being diabetic should be no concern. As long as you're not getting insulin shots you're fine. For trucking companies it's pretty black and white - you can either pass the physical or you can't. As long as you can pass and get your DOT medical card you'll be fine.

As far as the suspension, if they retracted it then make sure you have documentation showing this. Also, get your driving record from both Virginia and Washington and make sure there's nothing on there that shouldn't be.

The suspension should not be a concern either.

Jason...WELCOME to TT !!! and Glad to see another WA left coaster !!! I get kinda lonely sometimes..everyone is mostly on the other side of the Maason-Dixson line... . If your diabetes is DIiet Control, you have absolutely no problems, other than maintaining your diet on the road. Even type 1 diabetes is ok...and some states, such as WA also allow type 11 diabetics to drive intrastate. Your Virginia suspension should be no problem,just be able to document the situation. Depending on where you live, there's quite a choice for training schools in WA. So you should be ready to get started on the High Road High Road Training Program . This site is incredible, and will help you to become proficient in your schooling before you ever get to the training school. It will teach you what you need to know to get your cdl permit, and endorsements. So dive right in, and remember that we are here to help you in any way we can. Peruse the links that Brett has provided, which will help you find a school, and about anything else trucking related.... Good Luck !!!!!

Thanks, guys. Since I'm in college, I receive financial aid -- I'm thinking about just taking all of it come December and applying it toward a trucking school; I'll have about three months between now and then to study and take care of anything else. Glad this forum exists!