I'm colorblind, can i gett a CDL?,

[fishuhalik]

About 6 months ago i got a job offer as a train conductor but the offer was recinded because of my colorblindness. i had some trouble with the test with the circles with different colored dots where you have to read the numbers, but only with red/green. i can tell the difference on a stoplight no problem though. i wanted to get a cdl so i can go out to nodak & work in the oil fields, but i dont wanna pay for the cdl courses only to find out i cant get one due to my colorblindness. are there any cdl drivers out there that are colorblind? or anyone know where/how i could find out if i'm not eligible? thanks for any insight!

[Macgyver55]

I dont have the rule book handy, but if I remember correctly you have to have a visual acuity of at least 20/40 in each eye, with or without corrective lenses. If you are colorblind, I believe you can get a medical waiver as long as you can distinguish between the traffic light colors. This would have to be tested and then signed by the testing doctor. I did find the info below on the Minnesota site, but strangely enough the laws are not the same for CDLs in every state so you may have to contact The North Dakota DMV to see if it is different there.

An application requesting a medical waiver for intrastate drivers can be

requested from the MnDOT Office of Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations

at 651-215-6330 or www.dot.state.mn.us/cvo.

A request for a medical waiver for interstate drivers must be submitted to the US

DOT. For further information contact the USDOT at 651-291-6150.

The medical examiner's certificate and the waiver document must be in the

driver’s possession while operating a commercial motor vehicle.

[MJ1657]

Macgyver gave you some great advice.

I will add if you talk to someone at DOT get what they say in writing. My experience with them is the rules are often how the individual explaining them interpretes them.

I have my CDL and drive truck and love every minute of it.

[Eric Wettschreck]

I'm colorblind and I have a CDL.

[fishuhalik]

thanks guys! eric, did you have to jump through any hoops to get yours? how were you able to pass the exam?

[PerchPounder]

I have a friend who has a cdl and is colorblind and know a few others too. I don't think its too big of deal imo.

[Eric Wettschreck]

No hoops to jump through. Not a big deal really.

[harvey lee]

My son has one and is cb and he had zero issues.

Heck, I have one and I think I am almost blind.

[SwivelDigger]

First off good luck in getting the license and the job. That being said make sure you do a little research on the area you are going. The rent or hotel room cost is really high out there. I worked in no. Dak. All last summer. I heard on the radio out there that 30% of the trucks were road legal. From what I seen I could believe it! I wasn't in the oil patch myself but our company was and a couple guys said you took your life in your hands driving around by Williston. I was in devils lake working on the levee's and that was bad enough. I think our company paid 900 a month for a spot to put a camper out by Williston.1250 a season by devils lake. Hopefully everything works out for you just be careful.

[bignet]

im color blind and have had a cdl for 20 years most of the time when you go for the check up the nurse will just ask you what color random objects in the room are.

[CJH]

First off good luck in getting the license and the job. That being said make sure you do a little research on the area you are going. The rent or hotel room cost is really high out there. I worked in no. Dak. All last summer. I heard on the radio out there that 30% of the trucks were road legal.

Be ready to work hard and live rough for a while. If you can handle it, you can be well compensated. Also, as mentioned, really focus on your safety as the roads are rough and the equipment really takes a beating. Good Luck!

[MJ1657]

About 6 months ago i got a job offer as a train conductor but the offer was recinded because of my colorblindness. i had some trouble with the test with the circles with different colored dots where you have to read the numbers, but only with red/green. i can tell the difference on a stoplight no problem though. i wanted to get a cdl so i can go out to nodak & work in the oil fields, but i dont wanna pay for the cdl courses only to find out i cant get one due to my colorblindness. are there any cdl drivers out there that are colorblind? or anyone know where/how i could find out if i'm not eligible? thanks for any insight!

Are the companies out there requiring you to go to trucking school to drive for them? If not I would save your money and get your license without it.

[MinnesotaMike]

Are the companies out there requiring you to go to trucking school to drive for them? If not I would save your money and get your license without it.

[fishuhalik]

thanks again for all the input guys! i've done some calling around and a few companies are paying for the cdl courses & providing living arrangements. i'm gonna drive up to williston saturday & spend sunday & monday looking for work. wish me luck! i'll let ya know how it goes

[Scott K]

Go getem!

[MJ1657]

thanks again for all the input guys! i've done some calling around and a few companies are paying for the cdl courses & providing living arrangements. i'm gonna drive up to williston saturday & spend sunday & monday looking for work. wish me luck! i'll let ya know how it goes

Just be careful with trucking companies that pay for your schooling. There are some ugly contracts out there.

[Valv]

thanks again for all the input guys! i've done some calling around and a few companies are paying for the cdl courses & providing living arrangements. i'm gonna drive up to williston saturday & spend sunday & monday looking for work. wish me luck! i'll let ya know how it goes

Do you know how to drive a big rig already or do you need training also ? If you just need the license, send me a PM.

[fishuhalik]

Hey valv, I tried to send you a pm but it said your inbox is full. I need the training also. I'll be starting from scratch.

[MJ1657]

When I got mine I studied the book and took the test to get all endorsements except hazmat. Then I rented a truck and trailer from a company that rents them just for that reason. I went down the day before my test and rode around with an instructor. The day of my test I drove the truck for an hour and the instructor spent time telling me what the guys giving the test would be looking for. Truck was a topkick with an automatic and air brakes pulling a 28 foot trailer. It was very easy and cost $425 if I remember right.

I lucked out that the person I started driving truck for right away didn't require any prior experience.

[fishuhalik]

It's really that easy mj? Now I'm thinking about just getting it on my own instead of being stuck with a contract for x months and settling with a company because they pay for it. If it's only $500 for the training needed and some study time I think I can handle that! I called around a little and there was one training company that wanted $6000 for the training, but they do get you 160hrs of otr experience. I can't imagine that it would make that much of a difference though!! Can you pm me the company that you used to rent the truck for your practice?

Oh, and if I remember correctly you need a certain amount of drive time to qualify for the hazmat endorsement right?

[MJ1657]

I thought it was easy.

I'll send you a pm with my number. Give me a call.

[MinnesotaMike]

It is that easy.

I did the same as MJ, I had experience driving 24' straight trucks and I rented the truck and trailer right at the testing sight. I had to laugh when the test truck drove up, nothing more that a very large pick up with a trailer. Walked out with a Class A CDL.

Good Luck,

Mike

[bak2MN]

I dont know how long ago you guys took your test but they DOT is makeing it a little harder to pass the test. First step is to study the book and go take your tests to get your permit. That is the easy part the second step is to pass the pretrip inspection and then the driveing test. If you fail the pretrip inspection you are not even aloowed to take the driveing test. There is a place in the cities that some of my guys that wrk for me used to get there license. I want ot say it was AAA driveing school or something like that. Good luck and be careful with the outfits out west. Some guys were not getting paid and the trucks were in bad shape. I was out in that area for a little while and it is pretty rough.

[MJ1657]

Thats how it was when I took mine. The largest percentage of failures is from the pre trip.

[K_Josh87]

Fishahalic, Have you taken the tests/classes? I have been meaning to go get my CDL sometime, I will need to retake all of the written tests again, and I may just have to bite the bullet and go up and rent a truck and take the test that way, I have had a few offers for grain semis, but my luck a dang light would go out on the way to to test and there'd I'd sit. Its getting to the point where a guy pretty much needs one just to drive my 1 ton pickup and my trailers... i was just wondering... I was hoping to test down here in somewhat familiar territory... I have drove some semi, a lot of straight truck, and a ton of "heavy" hauling for a reg 1 ton pickup.... its not foreign to me, but if i am going to get a CDL, I want to be air brake cert and class A