Question About Physical Requirements

Ok you experienced drivers, I have been reading info for the company based CDL schools and hiring and I am a little concerned. I am only 5 ft tall and while I am fairly strong, I don't think I can lift 50-75 lbs over my head, especially since I broke my elbow in 2008. It seems many schools require something called the workwell physical assessment, and this is a part of it. Anyone have input into this? I realize there is more to trucking than just driving a truck, but I really am concerned about this aspect. I am smart, responsible, and have a clean driving record....could I be done before I ever get started?

I believe it is either 50lb or 60lb you must lift onto a shelf over your head (it's been awhile). As far as I know, there's really no way around this, it's either you can or you can't. Pass or fail.

If I were you, I would go to a home improvement store and purchase a bag of sand that's 50lb and see how you so. You might surprise yourself.

You could always just get a DOT physical in your area before you depart. The company will still require you go through theirs but doing this will let you know if you can do it or not. There's a lot more to it than just lifting weight above your head.

Thanks Daniel, I have always intended to get a DOT physical before going to CDL school just to make sure I could pass. I can work with my trainer at the gym on lifting heavier weight, just not sure how my elbow will hold out!

Physical I just took here @ Prime was a mail box of about 50lbs that I lifted to waist high. I was rather surprised that was all I had to do.

Physical I just took here @ Prime was a mail box of about 50lbs that I lifted to waist high. I was rather surprised that was all I had to do.

Thanks so much for that information Ahbleza! I can lift 50 lbs waist high of that I am sure, but I am not sure I can get it up over my head. Prime is one of the companies I am considering applying to so that really helps!

Although the physical requirements will be company specific, here is a video of the Crete Carrier Pre Work Screen . It should give you a general idea of what a company may be looking for.

I know with a company I went through a physical with you had to pick up a 40 pound box on the ground and put it on a shelf above your head then remove a 50 pound box from that shelf and put it on the floor and lastly pick up a 60 pound box and put it on a shelf about 4 feet high. As for height, I know you have to be able to fully depress the clutch and brake but not sure how tall that is

could I be done before I ever get started?

Jolie, there's definitely somebody out there that will hire you. If you are really all that concerned about that particular requirement just go for the companies that don't require that lifting. Just as a side note, even if you get a physical before you get hired you will still have to do a new physical at your new employer. I really wouldn't let this concern be a stumbling block, go for your dream and you will achieve it. I've seen a lot of little short gals driving trucks, and a few big beefy looking girls too. There's all kind of folks in this business - big ones, little ones, round ones, skinny ones, obnoxious loud mouths, intelligent philosophers, and ignorant buffoons. We've all got our issues, don't let a broken elbow from six years ago keep you out of the game. I'm sure you can do this and probably do it better than some of the nuts I've come across out here in the truck stop parking lots.

could I be done before I ever get started?

Jolie, there's definitely somebody out there that will hire you. If you are really all that concerned about that particular requirement just go for the companies that don't require that lifting. Just as a side note, even if you get a physical before you get hired you will still have to do a new physical at your new employer. I really wouldn't let this concern be a stumbling block, go for your dream and you will achieve it. I've seen a lot of little short gals driving trucks, and a few big beefy looking girls too. There's all kind of folks in this business - big ones, little ones, round ones, skinny ones, obnoxious loud mouths, intelligent philosophers, and ignorant buffoons. We've all got our issues, don't let a broken elbow from six years ago keep you out of the game. I'm sure you can do this and probably do it better than some of the nuts I've come across out here in the truck stop parking lots.

Thank you for the encouragement! I know I am fairly strong, but more so in the legs than I am in my upper body. I will start calling places as soon as my daughter leaves to go back to Phoenix on Tuesday to see who will and won't make this a requirement. I have been working on the High Road Training here an doing well. About 14 years ago I got my permit to get a class B CDL so I could drive a school bus, but never finished the training. Liked the idea of driving, but not with other peoples screaming kids aboard!

At the time of my training with swift, they didn't require lifting anything. Not sure if thats changed in the last 2 years....

I'd try the sand bag option though... perhaps start with a lower lb bag... like 10 or 25....