Hello John. It may be difficult for you to obtain a CDL due to your disability. I said difficult, NOT impossible. I was born with a disability that has left me with only one arm. My left arm is missing just below the elbow. A year and a half ago, when I discovered that I had a yearning to drive for a living, I began to investigate the process of getting my CDL. I discovered that in order to get a CDL, you must have two hands. An exception could be made for those who show a proficiency with a proper prosthetic device. This entails having to get a medical evaluation from an orthopedic doctor that says you are proficient at using the prosthesis, and that the prosthesis has the required amount of grip for the steering wheel. After that you must get a DOT physical and have someone give you a road test in the type of vehicle you plan to drive. A week after the road test, you will be visited by a DOT inspector who will also road test you in order to determine if you are truly able to drive the vehicle you plan to drive. After all this and after filling-out a stack of paperwork, the DOT will issue you a SPE (skills performance evaluation) certificate. You are then ready to go to your local license office and test for your CDL. PHEW!
As for me, I hadn't even worn a prosthesis for 40 years. So I went to the prosthesis maker and they hooked me up with the Voc Rehab people who had me fill-out a mountain of paperwork and wait 2 months for a disability determination. After it was determined that I was a level-1 disability, they had me go through a battery of tests over a week's time to determine if I was a suitable prospect for truck driving. During that time they had several prosthetic makers bid on my prosthesis. After the bid was let, I had to go have the prosthesis made. This is a long process when it comes to an electronic arm and hand. After 9 months, and after the state of Oklahoma paid-out $28,000 to the prosthetic maker, I now have my arm! The state is also paying for me to go to truck driving school in June. I will graduate with a CDL-A, with air, haz-mat, and tanker endorsements.
In the meantime, I got leased-on to a hotshot company with my Ford 1-ton flatbed crew cab diesel dually and my 40' flatbed gooseneck trailer. The GCWR (gross combined weight rating) is under 26,000lbs, so I do not need a CDL. They are paying 82% of the load plus 100% of the detention, tarp pay, extra stop pay, and fuel surcharges (if any). This will work-out to be around $1.40 to 1.65 per loaded mile. Even though this is excellent pay without the need for a CDL, I will still get one in june as planned because I have another hotshot company that will lease me on at over $2.10 per mile if I have my haz-mat and tanker endorsements.
I say all of this to encourage you to pursue your dream! I did mine. It took a little time, but it was well worth it. You will probably need to test in a truck outfitted with the devices necessary for you to be able to drive. You will also be required to get an SPE cetificate. Do your homework. Go to the FMCSA web site @:
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/
and read the requirements needed in order to obtain your CDL.
I pray that you don't lose heart in the pursuit of your dream. You can achieve it if you have faith and patience.
I hope to see you on the road someday. God bless.
