Finally! I'm Able To Get A Class A CDL With Monocular Vision.

Howdy all, After many years of research, jumping through hoops, and wasting time waiting to hear back from government agencies, I am finally scheduled to start CDL training here in Columbia, MO at a community college (200 hours, they are in the FMCSA registry).

Quick back-story: I have limited, uncorrectable vision in my left eye from a childhood accident (piece of glass pierced my pupil, leaving a tear-drop/cat's-eye appearance!) It's like having blurry, peripheral vision only, if I close my right eye, if that helps describe it. This kept me from passing the Marine Corps MEPS when I was a kid during Desert Shield (Would have been nice to know before I spent 15 months with my depot recruiter while earning college credits! I promised if I got shot in my right eye I would keep fighting, they didn't buy it.) Kept me from a law enforcement career for the same reason. I was able to work as a Corrections Officer for awhile, but I was grey in the tooth :) when I did that....not for me!

I went through the steps of data collection so I could get a vision waiver back in 2015, but after six months of me asking "Do you need anything else from me?" at the FMCSA, they came back at the 11th hour and said they needed more information and I would have to re-submit; fugitaboutit!

So with the changes that happened to the rules in February 2022, I am finally able (I have it in hand!) to get the waiver and schedule with a medical examiner.

After a lifetime (I'm 52) of on-and-off again trying, I can finally do what I want-ish. I drove a rollback for awhile (12-hour days, customer-facing issues, etc) and enjoyed the responsibility.

I said all that to say this: THANK YOU! Without this site, Brett, and everyone who has cared enough to reply to questions (whether I asked them or someone else) my path would have been less informed, not as humorous, and certainly missed, knowing what I know now.

post-script: I've always taken on the hardest challenge when it's an option; wanted to excel at tasks that nobody even wanted to start. I would love your input on a couple things because I'm not going to assume your answers over the years on these forums have remained steadfast, although they probably have.

I'm interested in driving tanker. The technicalities of the position excite me (simmer down). My TWIC is in the mail (I try to be prepared as possible going into any situation) and will get my haz-mat started once I have my permit in hand. If that's not a possibility for the inexperienced, or because of my location, then car-hauling or livestock appears interesting (I know I wouldn't be the favorite guy at the truck stop!)

We're empty nesters. The better-half is secure in her position and thinks she's ok with my being away (a little TOO ok now that I'm thinking about it!) OTR is certainly on the table. I know it's hard for anyone to tell anyone else what they should/should not do without intimate knowledge of the person, but I respect your experience and suggestions.

Know of any companies that will be hiring in the 65203 area code the beginning of April 2024?

Stay safe. May God bless. Don McGee (Maggs)

Maggs, Congratulations - I know this feels good!

I just wanted to clarify a few things just in case your comments may be confusing to anyone. There is no longer a vision "waiver." The old system used a waiver, and it often limited the driver to intrastate driving. The new rules use an "Alternate Vision Standard."

Under this system a driver, or potential driver, takes the alternate vision paperwork to their eye doctor and gets them to fill out the questions as required. Then the filled form is taken to the medical examiner. The form overrides the standard vision exam, but the driver must test properly with their good eye and must have a specified amount of peripheral vision with that same eye.

I've been driving OTR for two years now under this new system. It was a real blessing for me.

I wish you all the best Maggs! I hope to see you out here someday.

Congrats on sticking with it. Alot of folks would have given up.

I pulled tankers many years. I enjoyed it, but you seriously need to get at least 1 yr of driving under your belt. Tankers are a different breed.

Most tanker companies, reputable ones anyway will require at least 1 yr before they will even accept your application. Prime is just up the road from you as well as several other companies in the Springfield/Straffod area.

Where a terminal or main office isn’t important if your OTR , the amount of freight a company has in your area is ehat is important.

Hopefully the industry turns around sooner than later, it has been a real mess the past couple of years.

Best wishes and please keep us posted on your progress!!

Congratulations and my great admiration and respect for what you have accomplished despite your vision problem. Maybe we should call you Old School Jr. lol.

Maggs, Congratulations - I know this feels good!

I just wanted to clarify a few things just in case your comments may be confusing to anyone. There is no longer a vision "waiver." The old system used a waiver, and it often limited the driver to intrastate driving. The new rules use an "Alternate Vision Standard."

Under this system a driver, or potential driver, takes the alternate vision paperwork to their eye doctor and gets them to fill out the questions as required. Then the filled form is taken to the medical examiner. The form overrides the standard vision exam, but the driver must test properly with their good eye and must have a specified amount of peripheral vision with that same eye.

I've been driving OTR for two years now under this new system. It was a real blessing for me.

I wish you all the best Maggs! I hope to see you out here someday.

Thanks Old School. I hear ya. Especially with the current freight situation, I’m keeping my options open. But you’re right and I knew it, tanker doesn’t come with training wheels. I’ve got my eyes on Schneider because they have different freight moving lanes; everything but flatbed I believe. I was thinking of going van/reefer for a year or more then see about sliding into tanker with them. This is another reason I want to have all endorsements (except bus/passenger, not my taste). Just to make myself marketable.

Congrats on sticking with it. Alot of folks would have given up.

I pulled tankers many years. I enjoyed it, but you seriously need to get at least 1 yr of driving under your belt. Tankers are a different breed.

Most tanker companies, reputable ones anyway will require at least 1 yr before they will even accept your application. Prime is just up the road from you as well as several other companies in the Springfield/Straffod area.

Where a terminal or main office isn’t important if your OTR , the amount of freight a company has in your area is ehat is important.

Hopefully the industry turns around sooner than later, it has been a real mess the past couple of years.

Best wishes and please keep us posted on your progress!!

Thanks PJ!

Congratulations and my great admiration and respect for what you have accomplished despite your vision problem. Maybe we should call you Old School Jr. lol.

Yea! …wait…

Hi Maggs. I don't know if every state sets their rules on this or if it's federal and they're all the same, but at least in Illinois I had to have my CDL Class A before I could test for the HazMat endorsement, and prior to that you need to go through the TSA Threat Assessment. So not sure if you'd have the same process in Missouri or if they let you get HM on your CLP. Good luck!

Evening friends. So an update: I had to move my CDL training back to get a few medical tests done in quick succession, so it made sense to just start later so there wouldn't be interruptions.

I started training last week, really it's just going over the CDL manual for Missouri and the new ELDT book, which is about 2 inches thick. I got my medical card last Friday (FINALLY!!) and passed my permit tests as well as the Tank and Double/Triples endorsements (all on the first try thankfully). Now it's just a waiting game for two weeks to fly by to test out. We haven't been to the range yet, that starts Wednesday I believe. We have two Peterbilt day-cabs to work with, thankfully the same 9-speeds we'll be taking the Pre-Trip/Skills/Road tests in.

I did receive my TWIC. I also went ahead and bought access to the Hazmat training course that you need to complete before you head back to the Highway patrol station and take the knowledge exam. Right now the training new drivers are forced to take online seems to be exactly what the Trucking Truth website has for studying...go figure; just another reason for someone to make money. I was able to go on the gub'ments website and pay for the start of my hazardous materials (HME) and get it for about half-off - $41.00, because I have my TWIC card. Website says the HME will have the same expiration as the qualifying document, ie. TWIC card and since I just got that and it doesn't expire until 2029 I think I'll be ok for awhile. I'm a little confused on getting the hazmat endorsement process; apparently you cannot get it on your permit and I've read you can and can't start the process until you have your full CDL license.

I received feedback a few hours after I paid to start my HME process and it said I was good to go since I have my TWIC card...wha?!? I have pasted below the actual text. Maybe it just means I'm ok to start the training process but I will have to wait until the online hazmat course is reported to the FMCSA before the background check will be done? I mean, that's another $100.00 I'd rather not have to pay.

"The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has reviewed your application to obtain or renew your Hazardous Materials Endorsement (HME), pursuant to Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.), part 1572. This notification serves as determination that you meet the eligibility requirements to hold an HME, as set forth in 49 C.F.R. section 1572.15(d)(1). TSA will notify the licensing state of this determination. Welcome to the HME Threat Assessment Program"

Now I just have to finish the online training and take my knowledge test, then get my CDL and THEN have the hazmat put on the license at the same time so I don't have to pay to add the endorsement after I complete the ELDT Theory training?

yea, I don't know. I'll just keep doing all of the steps that are required and wait for someone to step up and correct me if I'm wrong along the way. Better to ask for forgiveness then permission, right?

Brett - My passing the tests on the first try comes down to one thing: High Road Training 2.0. Keeping track of my progress, the format you have used, everything. I cannot state enough how much Trucking Truth (and everyone on here that answers questions!) gets the credit for my success.

I'll keep you updated on the next steps. Stay Safe Don McGee (Maggs)