Purposely Downgraded CDL-A To Class C

Gonna try a make this short. I got my CDL-A from a trucking school in July 2023. I made the worst mistake of my life by “celebrating” with a friend and did a drug that clears from your system in 3-4 days. I didn’t plan to apply to schools immediately so I figured I was clear. That “friend” ratted me out and called the school and they gave me a “random” test after I failed the first driving test, two days later I passed, but my drug test didn’t a day or two later. I had already planned on moving to Philadelphia, my lease was up and I was screwed. I through some clothes in the car and drove to Philly where I was homeless for 4 months. I finished the SAP program I believe (Step 4 in the Clearinghouse). Having zero experience Incoukdnt find anyone willing to give me a chance. I got a paratransit job eventually, but they needed me to transfer my license from Indiana to Pennsylvania within a deadline. I couldn’t transfer my prohibited CDL across states, Winter was approaching, it was getting cold, and I signed a lease for an apartment, I had no choice but to downgrade or risk homelessness on the East Coast in the Winter. That was November 2023. I now deliver for a small family owned place in Philly (Sprinter Van). They do have a couple drivers with a Class-B. They do DOT testing. I was told I could possibly have them do a RTD test and I won’t have to start the whole process over. Is this true?

Well, first you made a choice, not a mistake, to take a substance which caused you to test positive on a drug test. And that was before you even had your license. Now, that is going to stay with you on your Clearinghouse for every prospective employer to see, especially the part that shows this happened prior to you even having a CDL.

You unfortunately may have ended your career before you even started it. Especially with how the opportunities are right now. Companies are being way more picky with who they hire because they are far from desperate now. Not long ago, a company closed its doors and now an additional 2,500 drivers are looking for jobs, all of whom I would assume would be considered first before someone with a failed drug test on their Clearinghouse. You unfortunately put yourself into the position you’re in. I know this may not be what you want to hear and I certainly do not mean this in any kind of rude way. I’m just trying to be honest.

I’ve been on this site long enough now to know my response will likely be echoed by those who have been on here a lot longer and have way more experience than I do. All you can do is keep applying literally everywhere. Don’t know what kind of restrictions you have placed now on your license, if any. Wish you all the best and good luck cause you’re gonna need it.

To be perfectly honest with you, you have killed your career, and I'm happy for it.

Your first instinct to celebrate, was to use a prohibited substance? Nope. We don't need you in the industry. Our jobs are dangerous enough as it is, without out adding in a chucklef@#k that can't celebrate without prohibited substances. It severely calls your judgment into question.

Yep, I'm putting on my flame resistant pants for this one.

You could’ve kept all that to yourself. Good Lord, every trucking forum from here to Reddit with the same grandstanding. WE GET IT. We know what we did, either give a real answer to the question or sign up for a pulpit at the local Church. I had plenty of time to think about that when I was sleeping on a bench on Benjamin Franklin Parkway, save it, because it’s not an answer. I’ve had two years to realize all that.

To be perfectly honest with you, you have killed your career, and I'm happy for it.

Your first instinct to celebrate, was to use a prohibited substance? Nope. We don't need you in the industry. Our jobs are dangerous enough as it is, without out adding in a chucklef@#k that can't celebrate without prohibited substances. It severely calls your judgment into question.

Yep, I'm putting on my flame resistant pants for this one.

Just saw a email in my junk folder. According to PennDOT it’s not a total career killer. I’m not trying to go OTR and my employer will pay handsomely enough to operate with them or even SEPTA. The obvious joy in your face inspires me to continue so I can be as fulfilled with my life as you seem to be.

Perhaps you should stop and consider why EVERYONE has the same reaction.

Many people do things that kill their career, without fully grasping what they have done. This isn't your friend's fault, this isn't your former companies fault. This isn't "the industry's" fault. This lies squarely on you. You were going for a career in a safety critical field, and made a choice that bit you hard. Seek a career elsewhere.

Perhaps you should stop and consider why EVERYONE has the same reaction.

Many people do things that kill their career, without fully grasping what they have done. This isn't your friend's fault, this isn't your former companies fault. This isn't "the industry's" fault. This lies squarely on you. You were going for a career in a safety critical field, and made a choice that bit you hard. Seek a career elsewhere.

MAM. You’re not saying anything new. You’re not being insightful, you’re not lending a teachable moment. It’s like you get stimulation from virtue signaling and finger wagging and playing ball monitor. You surely have people who look forward to your return from the road, definitely. Absolutely, no doubt.

You come up in here expecting sympathy from drivers who are out here doing this job clean, and correctly. Then you have the audacity to get ****y because nobody is blowing sunshine up your @ss to tell you what you want to hear?

Fact: you may be "clear" by PA, but ask yourself, why would a company hire you, when the cost to insure a newbie is already insane, then add in that it's a SAP driver? Sorry buddy, you are facing an uphill battle.

You come up in here expecting sympathy from drivers who are out here doing this job clean, and correctly. Then you have the audacity to get ****y because nobody is blowing sunshine up your @ss to tell you what you want to hear?

Fact: you may be "clear" by PA, but ask yourself, why would a company hire you, when the cost to insure a newbie is already insane, then add in that it's a SAP driver? Sorry buddy, you are facing an uphill battle.

When and where did I ask for sympathy? What makes you think I asked for people to feel sorry for me? You’re not comprehending the subject at hand, it’s asking a question about my license. Again, it seems like you just want to wag your finger. Reading Comprehension, please stop trying to feel better about yourself by beating a dead horse. Being clear in PA is all I need anyway, I always wanted local. I do have the audacity, because you’re not answering the question, you’re going on a self righteous trip of redundancy. Reading. Comprehension.

As someone who reads the site daily and rarely posts this comes across as someone who is very angry and dealing with the effects of long term drug use.

I was there 15 years ago and I can tell you I recognize myself in your behavior sir.

Your on the right path doing SAP and trying to get clean but you were not there when this happened because you were aware of the consequences when you stated "clears from your system in 3-4 days".

Reminds me of the saying "One is too many and a 1000 is never enough"

"“friend ratted me" - As someone who got clean we learn that we made the choice and it was our doing not someone else. You need to let that go and take responsibility.

And if it's one thing that is consistent from listening to these professionals here over the years is drugs and trucking don't go together and I'm from Canada and even we can't smoke what's considered legal up here if you have a AZ.

Your questions was: "I could possibly have them do a RTD test I won’t have to start the whole process over" What do you have to lose? Have you asked them?

Your lucky to have a job so be happy stay clean and relax life gets better and you'll look back on this one day and hopefully see how immature your acting.