The Sprinters Blimps

moose · Feb 25, 2012

So the FMCSA spook-man announced this week they will target early 2013 & a 35 BMI for sleep-apnea study.

will this make the Van/sprinter a compliance shelter for large truckers ?

if so, how will this change our industry ?
what will be the effects of endless hard working experienced professionals Van drivers ? *

those drivers will come equipped with a large chunk of funding, great work ethics, and decades of small business ownership.
.
.
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* i did not say YOU are not a one, just that there might be many more like you.

jimby82 · Feb 25, 2012

I think van drivers have to have physicals also? No shelter.

Jenny · Feb 25, 2012

We have had to have DOT physicals with our previous and current carrier.

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chefdennis · Feb 25, 2012

Physicals for Van/Sprinter drivers are not mandated by the FMCSA, but those carriers that may requirer them are doing so to meet Insurance company request...And not all carriers require them....for van/sprinter drivers...

Monty · Feb 25, 2012

Landstar sure does! And I have to have a CDL with haz-mat also ..... company requirement.

No shelter here ...

AMonger · Feb 25, 2012

jimby82 said:
I think van drivers have to have physicals also? No shelter.

Physicals are going to be bundled with your CDL.. Anyone with a CDL will have to have a DOT physical, and the sleep study that may come with it, or lose your CDL.

--

You know the problem with bad cops? They make the other 5% look bad.

beachbum · Feb 25, 2012

Only sleep study is if your BMI is over 36 and that isn't a rule yet still is a couple of years out for that rule.

cableguymn · Feb 26, 2012

AMonger said:
Physicals are going to be bundled with your CDL.. Anyone with a CDL will have to have a DOT physical, and the sleep study that may come with it, or lose your CDL.

--

You know the problem with bad cops? They make the other 5% look bad.

I think that rule only applies for trucks over 10K.. Yes you have to have one if you are a CDL driver doing interstate driving in a 10k+ truck. But not if your under 10K. You just check off that you are using your CDL in your home state only (Intrastate)

I could be wrong. But that is how it was explained to me. My card is up to date so when I renewed I just gave it to um. Makes it easier than trying to figure out the rules 100%

greg334 · Feb 26, 2012

The truck has zero to do with the dot physical - if the company requires a CDL, it will have to be done in order for you to maintain the CDL.

The insurance has something to do with this, some states don't require one for things under 26k.

You will have to "register" the DOT physical with the state sometime in the near future.

There is talk about doctor shopping and stopping the issue of failed physicals being swept under the carpet.

OntarioVanMan · Feb 26, 2012

well under 10,000 there is No federal or state law that i know of that requires a physical for a non CDL holder....yet carriers force them to get one...Now is that the carrier just keeping everything standard across all classes or is it the insurance companies?....

greg334 · Feb 26, 2012

The CDL has nothing to do with the truck but by being required to have a CDL, the physical is part of maintaining the CDL.

Whether or not you can drive a van is really not the issue, the issue is how does the state - there is no federal enforcement - handle the issue and how does the carrer's policy affect the driver.

OntarioVanMan · Feb 26, 2012

greg334 said:
The CDL has nothing to do with the truck but by being required to have a CDL, the physical is part of maintaining the CDL.

Whether or not you can drive a van is really not the issue, the issue is how does the state - there is no federal enforcement - handle the issue and how does the carrer's policy affect the driver.

Upon renewal of my CDL I do not need a physical for the state...YET....
I don't know if it is my carriers policy or an insurance requirement...

chefdennis · Feb 26, 2012

I stated that where carriers have EVERYONE take DOT physical, it is usually at their Insurance Companies request...that is how it was told to me at my previous carrier, but it may also just be a "good faith / good will gesture" on the carriers part to show the insurance company that all of their contractors meet the Medical standards set my the DOT.....in turn possibly getting a better rate...

cableguymn · Feb 26, 2012

greg334 said:
The truck has zero to do with the dot physical - if the company requires a CDL, it will have to be done in order for you to maintain the CDL.

The insurance has something to do with this, some states don't require one for things under 26k.

You will have to "register" the DOT physical with the state sometime in the near future.

There is talk about doctor shopping and stopping the issue of failed physicals being swept under the carpet.

There is a "doctor" advertising on my local Craigs List. DOT cards. 25 bucks..

Wonder how much of a "inspection" you get for 25 bucks...

ChrisGa23 · Feb 26, 2012

My last physical was at concentra. Was so glad they didn't make me drop pants for the cough check lol. But a woman gave me the physical so maybe that's why. But they did make me take off my pants and underware and wear this little blue cotton shorts on which was kinda odd .