Paid CDL Training Without Hair Follicle

I’m in a bit of a situation here. I’ve recently decided to go for my CDL. However, I have my medical marijuana card. Now before everyone starts freaking out and telling me to find another industry, hear me out. I’m not an idiot. I don’t drive my own personal vehicle while under the influence or operate my numerous power saws because of the risk, much less operating a vehicle I don’t own weighing at least five times what my car does. I’m giving it up, as I’ve used it to decompress from my job in banking. I figure once the stress of being micromanaged and yelled at every day is gone, so will be the need to smoke. Having said that, I cannot last another six months in my current job. I’ll be able to pass the whiz quiz by Tuesday, but the hair follicle is going to be an issue for me, at least it would seem so. Does anyone know of any companies out there offering paid CDL without a hair follicle?

I’m in a bit of a situation here. I’ve recently decided to go for my CDL. However, I have my medical marijuana card. Now before everyone starts freaking out and telling me to find another industry, hear me out. I’m not an idiot. I don’t drive my own personal vehicle while under the influence or operate my numerous power saws because of the risk, much less operating a vehicle I don’t own weighing at least five times what my car does. I’m giving it up, as I’ve used it to decompress from my job in banking. I figure once the stress of being micromanaged and yelled at every day is gone, so will be the need to smoke. Having said that, I cannot last another six months in my current job. I’ll be able to pass the whiz quiz by Tuesday, but the hair follicle is going to be an issue for me, at least it would seem so. Does anyone know of any companies out there offering paid CDL without a hair follicle?

This changes periodically. The problem you face is that a company not using hair follicle testing now might do so in the future. There is no way to predict what testing will be used at the time of your attendance of orientation. My suggestion would be to make sure that you have at least a year clean. I make no guarantee that this will be a sufficient amount of time. It's a better bet than limiting yourself to only companies that you hope don't do hair follicle testing.

I’m in a bit of a situation here. I’ve recently decided to go for my CDL. However, I have my medical marijuana card. Now before everyone starts freaking out and telling me to find another industry, hear me out. I’m not an idiot. I don’t drive my own personal vehicle while under the influence or operate my numerous power saws because of the risk, much less operating a vehicle I don’t own weighing at least five times what my car does. I’m giving it up, as I’ve used it to decompress from my job in banking. I figure once the stress of being micromanaged and yelled at every day is gone, so will be the need to smoke. Having said that, I cannot last another six months in my current job. I’ll be able to pass the whiz quiz by Tuesday, but the hair follicle is going to be an issue for me, at least it would seem so. Does anyone know of any companies out there offering paid CDL without a hair follicle?

Honestly, Shane ... I'd apply here, first: Apply For Paid CDL Training. As you get replies, invites, whatnot; EMAIL the recruiter, with exactly that question. Check back a day later, with another person, and follow up/confirm again. In writing.

I've got a couple you can 'try.' .... smallish, but you're in a decent location; and NO GUARANTEE either.

Look into Keim TS (Breaker Breaker training course) and keep in mind, they are flatbed. Keim T/S.

Another one you might ask, is Witte Bros., also up by you: Witte Bros., Troy, MO / CDL Training.

This changes periodically. The problem you face is that a company not using hair follicle testing now might do so in the future. There is no way to predict what testing will be used at the time of your attendance of orientation. My suggestion would be to make sure that you have at least a year clean. I make no guarantee that this will be a sufficient amount of time. It's a better bet than limiting yourself to only companies that you hope don't do hair follicle testing.

Ryan,

This is so true. A number of companies that Tom is looking at, for EXPERIENCED drivers, will include the notification of said method, although not DOT/FMCSA approved/required, in their paperwork.

Best of luck to you, Shane !

~ Anne ~

I would suggest trying that stressful banking pot-free for the next six months. If that's too stressful, you won't make it during a normal six days behind the wheel.

This. If you can't handle stress without leaning into the green, this isn't the right industry.

This is the side effect of personal choices having an effect on future career options.

I personally don't have an issue with pot usage by fully consenting adults, beyond the whole "illegal on the federal level" thing. The flip side is, knowing that you can't get into certain industries after your usage. Some very specialized industries would never even touch you (not trucking) due to the willful breaking of federal law.

Sucks to be in this position, but you made that choice. Now your option is to wait it out until you are SURE you can pass, or risk tanking your career before you ever turn a key.

I would suggest trying that stressful banking pot-free for the next six months. If that's too stressful, you won't make it during a normal six days behind the wheel.

Thanks for the tips, guys! I appreciate it. It’s not so much the job itself that’s stressful, it’s the being tied to a desk that’s driving me nuts. The job is great for someone with the right personality, but I’m just not cut out for dealing with people every ten seconds, literally. I work at a call center so I am hanging up with one with barely enough time to mutter “*******” before the next one comes in hot lol being by myself, with either my wife or kid occasionally, on the road seeing this country and driving to make deadlines sounds like a dream to me.

Nobody can say how the stress of driving compares to the stress of other jobs for each individual. I've never had a job that I wasn't fed up with or felt miserable about doing everyday after several months except for driving.

If someone told me I was not cut out to handle the stress of driving since I was unable to handle the stress of working in a warehouse, I might initially agree. Now that I'm driving I can say I totally disagree. We are all different. Hopefully driving agrees with you as much as it does with me. Good luck!

Two things to consider....

1. Never believe the "I will be clean by ..". I have had multiple students sent home for exactly this. Whatever time you think you will clear... Double it. Testing positive is almost a career killer before you even start. You get reported to a clearinghouse and every company will know. I personally would wait a year just to be sure.. but that is me.

2. If you have a medical pot card, then it is documented that you "need" the pot to get through the day. For pain management it may be one thing.... But if the documents state that you use if for stress, the recruiter or DOT doctor would be wondering how you will manage without it. You basically gave yourself a diagnosis that requires treatment.

"It's being tied to a desk that is driving me nuts."

Considering that truck driving involves being tied to a seat during the majority of a long day, you need to take this into consideration.

"Seeing this great Country of ours" is great, if you like seeing highways, city streets, dock areas, truck stops, etc.. At least, that is all I get to see due to the time crunch from getting my load delivered and getting back to base. lol

Your "stress" may be due to job burnout. I know after a long career in Nursing, the last couple of years really affected me physically and mentally. I didn't resort to drugs or alcohol for "stress relief," but I found a different career that matched my needs.

If you truly want to get into driving, you need to find different stress relievers. Drugs of any kind cannot be an option.

Nobody can say how the stress of driving compares to the stress of other jobs for each individual. I've never had a job that I wasn't fed up with or felt miserable about doing everyday after several months except for driving.

If someone told me I was not cut out to handle the stress of driving since I was unable to handle the stress of working in a warehouse, I might initially agree. Now that I'm driving I can say I totally disagree. We are all different. Hopefully driving agrees with you as much as it does with me. Good luck!

I am with you on that. I worked retail, fast food management, and warehousing. All of those I found could be pressure cookers of stress. Yes, driving comes with stress, as does any job, but it is in smaller concentrations. Well, at least that's been the case for me. It sounds like we have similar experiences there.