Truck Driving School???

Have they re-opened any truck driving schools since they shut everything down due to covid? I went to schneider school back in the early 2000's but had to leave during my training period due to divorce. I want to get back on the road! I also have type 2 diabetes! Is that going to be a barrier?

Schools are back open but long waits at the DMV have created an issue for students seeking their permit or receiving their hard copy of their CDL. Diabetes isn't an issue as long as its under control, though you will need a new medical card every year. No big deal. It will not negatively impact your career as long as you keep it under control. We have a couple diabetics on the forum that may be able to provide more information. You can also use the white search box above to get more info on driving with diabetes.

You can Apply For Paid CDL Training right here if you're interested. Fill out one application and it'll be sent to numerous companies.

I've been exposed to a fair number of the situations with schools, well, AZ private; and then several company-sponsored around the west while researching where to use my CDL. Short answer is to echo Rob, that you should be fine.

Discussion: I’ve actually been surprised there hasn't been more school disruption beyond smaller class sizes and more distancing and masking, and mine was surprisingly lax...too much so for my comfort. The other local ones seem similar. We had a class come from NM to get tested and such at our school, but otherwise all seemed like normal MO. Of course it's against their interest to close if they don't have to and seeing as how they're deemed "essential businesses"...

As for DMV/MVDs that seems to vary somewhat by state. Even though my local ones were shut down to "drop-ins" (an employee screens 'em outside the front door), that seemed to actually shorten the wait times for the essential stuff that can't be handled online or over the phone, like of course CDLs.

(Cautionary tale: My permit test there was a piece of cake and all CDL legal stuff was smooth, but on the other hand, I had a messy record to deal with when it came to nearly everything else. This was due to having taken my eyes off the ball... Mostly I failed to set up accurate mail forwarding and didn't keep track of what was following me and accumulating as a result, as I moved from CA to NY then eventually to AZ to care for my dying father; a mess made worse by the different agencies having very differing data on me that proved difficult to sort out or change, much less explain. So I had to go to MVD quite a lot last year and spent hours listening to the same boring hold music that never changed over many months. Lesson learned: SO much easier said than done, but at least don't take BOTH eyes off the ball no matter the crisis, especially once you know you want to be a trucker--I decided after my dad died--.)

Dunno about the road-testing at MVDs, but a lot of the schools are allowed to do their own as long as it's not conducted by an instructor that worked with you prior. Calling and emailing around according to your interest and priorities should ensure you can nail down what you want. Good that you're getting on top of it here.

Hey Kristopher.

I have type 2 diabetes as well and take metformin for it. I went to TMC for my cdl , and they required I bring my latest A1C numbers no more than two weeks old from my doctor with their contact information. Other than that, not a problem. Hope this helps.

Have they re-opened any truck driving schools since they shut everything down due to covid? I went to schneider school back in the early 2000's but had to leave during my training period due to divorce. I want to get back on the road! I also have type 2 diabetes! Is that going to be a barrier?

As far as the DIABETES GOES - depends on if you are on the NEEDLE.

If you are using insulin - your treating doctor (preferably an Endocrinologist) needs to fill out this FMCSA: Insulin Dependant Diabetes Mellitus Assessment Form, and if you ARE NOT TRACKING YOUR BLOOD GLUCOSE LEVELS IN DETAIL ALREADY - YOU NEED TO BE.

Used to be much more difficult to get a diabetes waiver - it's become somewhat easier in recent years. It used to take up to six months to get a waiver.

The concern is greater with those on insulin - as a "glucose crash", could result in a TRUCK CRASH. Type II (adult onset) diabetes, especially if not on the needle yet - can be well managed on oral meds, diet and exercise - the latter two being things that aren't always easy to manage on the road - but PLENTY OF DRIVERS ARE.

Part of the reason they made things easier - is that the incidence of the disease is SO PREVALENT in this country - and many otherwise qualified individuals were being kept off the road. And despite this - we are STILL ACTUALLY NUMBER THREE in the world.

and quite aways back from China & India (who also DWARF US in population - so when you factor that in, we're about even with them).

Best of luck - keep us posted on your progress...

Rick