zonecode88

He again everyone,

For work purposes, I need to obtain first a DOT medical card, and then after taking a CDL class B written exam for a permit, need to pass all DOT regulations to obtain a license.

This is how I think it works... please confirm or refute my ideas...

I take a DOT physical (no drug test required) to obtain a DOT Medical Card...

(I need the medical card to drive a truck that requires a medical card, but does not require a CDL. Specifically, it is a 1-ton pickup rated for over 10,000 lbs.)

During this time, I study the CDL Driver's manual, and apply for a CDL license, requiring a road test and also a drug test......


I assume that I need to pass a DOT drug test to be able to apply for the DOT license... Does this mean that I have to take a combination DOT physical / drug test at the same time? Since I will already have a DOT medical card, can I take a drug test by itself?

I am asking because I am planning on subbing for any and all future tests, and I am trying to determine if I will be subject to having a combined physical and drug test in the same appointment, as it complicates the subbing method.

If I know that I can keep drug tests and physicals from happening on the same day, then I'm golden... if not, then I can't use substitution (which vexes me beyond comprehension.)

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Mr.C

its hard to say..ive had it done both ways...a lot depends on the setup ur ompany has and the swtup of the medical facility..some medical facilities are set up to provide dot tests as well as physicals...some are not n u are sent to a drugtesting facility for dot drugtest

u need to assume both will be done together until u know otherwise..meaning the safest bet is to just become clean before physical

my dot physicals are once every two years n my current facility provides both physical n drugtest

so i quit smoking 3 months out of every 2 yrs..not bad i enjoy the break cuz when i smokin again it feels sooo good

thank god pots not addictive huh

zonecode88

Thanks Mr. C.

I assume that you're referring to the CDL physical and tests. I have time to get clean for that one. But what about just getting the medical card? Does that require a DOT drug test as well as the DOT physical? Despite the reading I've done, I'm still not sure.

Mr.C

the medical card can be obtained without a drugtest yes...but most employers require the drugtest very soon thereafter

also there are many dot employers that will not accept medical cards already obtained..some will some wont..many many wont

say u pay for ur physical out of ur pocket hopin to keep the physical n drugtest seperate...many employers still make u take another physical n drugtest even though ur cards still good...doesnt matter

anyway yes the med card can be obtained without a drugtest

KillerWeed420

Yeah just pay for your own DOT physical. Over 20 years and only one company asked for there own physical. If they ask for it, they pay for it. Don't worry about the drug test. You won't need that till some one hires you. I've taken bothe physical and drug tests at the same time. They always have let me rederss before doing the UA. I even had one company that wanted me to pay for there drug test. I turned around to leave and he asked me where I was going. I said I don't pay companies operating costs unless I get to share in company profits too. He hired me on the spot.lol

Sec

Regulations do not require anyone to have a drug test unless they:

Drive a Commercial motor vehicle with a GVW over 26,000 lbs.
Drive a commercial motor vehicle with hazardous materials in quanities requiring placarding.
Drive a bus with more than 15 passengers including the driver.

If you are only getting a class B license, the DOT doesn't require you to drug test. Your employer might. You don't need to take a drug test to apply for the license or take a test for the license.

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zonecode88

Oh happy day!
I only need a class B for my job, so you could imagine the smile on my face as I type. I need it to pass a training program I am currently enrolled in. I will be making my own appointments for the physical, to avoid any UA. My company won't give a shit about it once I have the license. Thanks for the great replies everyone, they proved extremely helpful.

Sec

It might not be as happy as you envision. While the DOT doesn't require a drug test, your employer might. Check into it and keep a plan of action in effect just in case.

KillerWeed420

A class B license does require a physical and a drug test. Any vehicle under 26,000 lbs doesn't require anything. Over 26,000 lbs is Class B.
Classes of License:

The Federal standard requires States to issue a CDL to drivers according to the following license classifications:

Class A -- Any combination of vehicles with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.

Class B -- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds GVWR.

Class C -- Any single vehicle, or combination of vehicles, that does not meet the definition of Class A or Class B, but is either designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, or is placarded for hazardous materials.

Knucklehead

As I recall , in CA your medical exam will include a urine sample , but they are checking for Diabetes, blood in the urine or other health problems , not dope .Whether you pay or not ,I don't think matters .May as well let the employer pay .Most , if not all employers will certainly have you do a pre employment drug screen ,but I think that is usually a different facility. After that , you are registered into the DOT computer and the employer will usually pay an outside outfit to handle the random selection and testing procedures . A random DOT test will include a split sample which will be dated , and initialed and sealed with a label by you and the collection agent sent to an outside lab . This takes away any bitching by the employee about being singled out . Also if you come up dirty they will run a test on the second sample upon request . Again , no bitching allowed .They may or may not include a breathalyzer . If you are selected for testing it states that you are to report to the testing facility immediately upon receipt of the notice . In practice though , as long as you show up the same day it's valid . Doesn't leave much wiggle room depending on how strict the actual employer is . I guess it depends on how much you want to gamble on it . You can be selected up to 4 times a year .The most I ever saw was twice in the same year .You can be a raging alcoholic and show up for work with the shakes or about to puke and that's just fine as long as your BAC is 0 . But let the piss nazis see any trace of that evil weed and your in big trouble . Happy to be of service