Western Pacific Truck School

So, You Want to become a Truck Driver...
but how do you get started, how do you qualify?

To help you, Western Pacific Truck School has outlined the Department of Transportation's, and the Licensing Authorities' requirements in California and Washington. We have also taken excerpts from the Federal Regulations (49CFR391), the State Commercial Driver's License Application Procedures, and from the American Trucking Association to get you started.

Age:
You must be at least 18 years of age to drive a Commercial Vehicle for hire in intra-state commerce (local, within state lines) and at least 21 years of age in inter-state commerce (over-the-road, crossing state lines) and to transport hazardous materials or wastes

Physical Condition:
You must pass a Department of Transportation (DOT) Medical Exam. The general physical qualifications for a driver are if he/she:

	Has no loss of a foot, a leg, a hand, or an arm. Has no impairment of a hand or finger, which interferes with grasping or an arm, foot or leg, which interferes with the ability to perform normal tasks associated with operating a commercial motor vehicle.
	Has no established medical history or diagnosis of diabetes requiring insulin for control.
	Has no current diagnosis of myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, coronary insufficiency, thrombosis, or other cardio-vascular disease known to be accompanied by syncope (suspension of consciousness, fainting), dyspnea (breathing difficulty), collapse, or congestive cardiac failure.
	Has no medical history or diagnosis of a respiratory dysfunction likely to interfere with his/her ability to control and drive a commercial motor vehicle safely.
	Has no current diagnosis of high blood pressure likely to interfere with his/her ability to operate a commercial motor vehicle safely. (High blood pressure that can be controlled by medication is okay in some cases.)
	Has no medical history or diagnosis of rheumatic arthritis, orthopedic, muscular, neuromuscular, or vascular disease, which interferes with his/her ability to control or operate a commercial motor vehicle safely.
	Has no medical history or diagnosis of epilepsy or other condition likely to cause loss of consciousness or ability to control a commercial motor vehicle.
	Has no mental, nervous, organic or functional disease or psychiatric disorder likely to interfere with his/her ability to drive a commercial vehicle safely.

Vision:
Vision must be at least 20/40 in each eye with or without corrective lenses and you must have at least a 70º field of vision in each eye and be able to recognize the colors of traffic signals and devices (i.e. not color blind).

Hearing:
You must be capable of hearing a forced whisper in the better ear at not less than 5 feet with or without the use of a hearing aid and you must meet the DOT’s hearing requirement if tested with an audiometric device.

Substance Abuse:
You must have no current diagnosis of alcoholism and must not use amphetamines, narcotics, or any other habit-forming drugs. You will be required to pass a drug test in order to comply with federal regulations. You will also be required to participate in a random testing program for both drugs and alcohol while in training and during employment in accordance with federal regulations.

Driving/Criminal Record:
The goal in attending a driver training program is that you will be able to obtain your Commercial Driver’s License and ultimately become employed.

Outstanding tickets/unanswered warrants, unpaid child support, a suspended or revoked Class C License, etc. can affect your ability to obtain a CDL (regardless of where they occurred). These issues should be cleared up before you attend a driver training school.

Each trucking company will have it’s own rules about acceptable driving and/or criminal records for employment. As a result of this, schools will usually review your driving record and background history to see if there are any problems that would prevent (or make it difficult) to secure a job, and/or obtain your Commercial Driver’s License. The main issues are any violations that involve driving and drugs/alcohol, excessive speeding, reckless driving, accidents, and felony and misdemeanor convictions.

You should be straightforward about any issues that might deter your from reaching your goal. Your driving record/background history should be reviewed thoroughly and any potential problems discussed before signing a contract.

Identification:
You will be required to give a thumbprint, have your picture taken, and provide appropriate verification of your social security number, birth date and legal presence to the State Licensing Authority when applying for your driving permit.

If you are applying for a Hazardous Materials Endorsement you will have to undergo a security threat assessment as required by the US Patriot Act.

Education:
Regulations that govern the qualifications of drivers require that all drivers be able to speak, read and write the English language well enough to accomplish the basic duties of a driver. These include speaking with dispatchers and customers and the public, reading street signs and motor carrier regulations, and completing basic reports such as logbooks, bills of lading and other written records and documents.

A FEW WORDS OF CAUTION…

If you use illegal drugs or have an alcohol use problem, stop and get assistance now. If you are impaired by drugs or alcohol, driving a big rig is not the job for you.

The complete DOT Regulation regarding physical qualifications or a qualified DOT Physical Medical Examiner should be consulted if detailed information is needed regarding a specific condition.

You can also contact our Vice President of Operations, Bob Schauer at 1-800-677-7717, if you have questions about acceptance into Western Pacific Truck School’s training programs.