New Trucking Career Not Looking Good For Me

Brett, if you need a detailed outline on how the SPE certificate process works, just let me know and I'll gladly put together a detailed listing and get it to you. One of the issues folks run into as well is the fact that it needs to be started before a person arrives at their new company. Most places aren't going to wait 6-8 weeks before a driver can start and being a government agency, they don't work fast lol.

About a month ago I watched a Western Express driver backing into a space, and when he got out I noticed he had two prosthetic legs. Also, it looked like he took over from the other driver who was having problems getting in to the narrow space, so it seemed he was a trainer. So Western might be another possibility if Schneider doesn't work out.

Brett, if you need a detailed outline on how the SPE certificate process works, just let me know and I'll gladly put together a detailed listing and get it to you. One of the issues folks run into as well is the fact that it needs to be started before a person arrives at their new company. Most places aren't going to wait 6-8 weeks before a driver can start and being a government agency, they don't work fast lol.

That is what boggles my mind. The FMCSA said that last week. I really don’t understand the process and why they do it that way.

Get a position with a company have the DOT officer road test you then wait 6 months. WTH!!!

Its not just any DOT officer. You'll be tested first by an SPE certified examiner, which you have to make an appointment with and bring a truck or rent theirs. You'll do the entire test, pre trip, skills and a 2 part driving portion split up by a short break. That examiner signs off and faxes in his part, then FMCSA releases your SPE certificate and you'll go take your actual driving test. It makes absolutely no sense that you have to take your driving test to determine if you can take your driving test lol.

Brett, if you need a detailed outline on how the SPE certificate process works, just let me know and I'll gladly put together a detailed listing and get it to you. One of the issues folks run into as well is the fact that it needs to be started before a person arrives at their new company. Most places aren't going to wait 6-8 weeks before a driver can start and being a government agency, they don't work fast lol.

Oh I can't begin to tell you how huge that would be! I'd love to put a complete guide to the SPE certificate process in our wiki so people like Forrest can learn exactly how it works. It would be a huge help to so many people!

Its not just any DOT officer. You'll be tested first by an SPE certified examiner, which you have to make an appointment with and bring a truck or rent theirs. You'll do the entire test, pre trip, skills and a 2 part driving portion split up by a short break. That examiner signs off and faxes in his part, then FMCSA releases your SPE certificate and you'll go take your actual driving test. It makes absolutely no sense that you have to take your driving test to determine if you can take your driving test lol.

This is where I get confused... I haven’t drove a truck in 8 years. I know I’ll need some training or a refresher. So how do I do all that with a examiner without being able to practice first?

Brett, if you need a detailed outline on how the SPE certificate process works, just let me know and I'll gladly put together a detailed listing and get it to you. One of the issues folks run into as well is the fact that it needs to be started before a person arrives at their new company. Most places aren't going to wait 6-8 weeks before a driver can start and being a government agency, they don't work fast lol.

Oh I can't begin to tell you how huge that would be! I'd love to put a complete guide to the SPE certificate process in our wiki so people like Forrest can learn exactly how it works. It would be a huge help to so many people!

More than happy to. I'll put it together later today when I have a bit of spare time. What email should I send it to?

It'll be my chance to be a productive part of your site lol.

Its not just any DOT officer. You'll be tested first by an SPE certified examiner, which you have to make an appointment with and bring a truck or rent theirs. You'll do the entire test, pre trip, skills and a 2 part driving portion split up by a short break. That examiner signs off and faxes in his part, then FMCSA releases your SPE certificate and you'll go take your actual driving test. It makes absolutely no sense that you have to take your driving test to determine if you can take your driving test lol.

This is where I get confused... I haven’t drove a truck in 8 years. I know I’ll need some training or a refresher. So how do I do all that with a examiner without being able to practice first?

As long as you have your permit, you might be able to rent time at a testing facility. I know it's available in Indiana but not sure about other states.

Here's a link to an An Older Conversation where Robert B lays out some helpful information concerning this subject. Maybe it will prove helpful for you Forrest.

Robert knows more about this than any of us. He's been there, done that, and got the T-shirt. One thing I've noticed from his remarks is that this whole process is slow, and must be relentlessly pursued by the driver. Also, it seems you will need to understand the process, as it is most likely you will be instructing everyone from the initial physician to the company that hires you on how and what they need to do to get you back in the driver's seat.

Recruiters are not going to be blowing up hour phone. None of them even know where to start with you. Tenacity and persistence will need to be your constant companions. Remember, you will need to be able to explain the process if you want to get it accomplished. You will be teaching them how this is done. Therefore you need to have some mastery of how this whole process works.

Hey Forrest, I saw your name on the thread and immediately remembered you were the one asking about all auto-transmission truck fleets a while back. I'm really impressed that you're being so persistent with this process and determined to get through it. I don't have any advice for this process since I've never had to go through it but I completely sympathize with the whole federal regulatory process BS you're having to navigate. I have Type 1 diabetes and am not permitted to drive commercial vehicles in interstate commerce without a federal exemption, so I had to go through a similar process to get my medical certificate before I could start driving for anyone. It sounds like you have a few extra steps to go through since you have to take an extra driving test, but I also had to wait that mandatory six months. I actually forgot about the whole thing a few months after sending in my paperwork since I didn't hear anything back. Then one day the exemption just showed up in the mail with even more rules to follow.

Seriously, kudos for your determination and good luck with the process. The federal government loves to make these processes ridiculously complicated but once you determine the steps you need to take and as you systematically complete them, the process will seem a lot easier.