I live near I-95 in FL and I'm considering trucking as a new career. I have to take pain meds a past injury(obtained by prescription). I went to college and even had my own delivery business, using light trucks, but that was many years ago. So, I guess the questions I have are:

Will I be able to pass the DOT physical, taking slow release pain med. It will show up on the drug screen, so I have tell an MD about it.

Will a company hire a person, who has to take pain meds everyday and can't
do a lot of lifting.

Should I tell an employer about the meds and my injury? I suspect I will have to.

Please nonbody screw up my post with medical advice, like have you tried something. I have a world class MD, my injury is for life.

No! You should not disclose to a potential employer injury or medication, if you are disqualified because of findings in a phys. exam thats different.The prospective employer can ask "how much you can lift" reply honestly. When you are screened if it shows positive for opiates the MRO will contact you, tell him NOT the person who hands you the cup and says "fill it up". Don't try that clean as a whistle crap or the like.
The MRO will contact you then you explain to him, most likely he will contact your doctor and explain your job and try to find a non narcotic med for you. It is in the judgement of the MRO if you fly or walk.
Good luck

There are many reasons to be honest with the person that does your DOT Physical.
Do not falsify an application! It will come back to haunt you. You may be able to drive if you do not take one of the 5 drugs you will be tested for.
(I have the list in my office and will try to post it tomorrow). Also you are subject to random drug and alcohol testing everyday.
I suggest you talk with your doctor and ask that he/she do your DOT Physical if the doc is DOT approved.

If you plan to go to driving school you need the DOT physical and the school will require a Level-5 drug test at their MRO. You are also subject to random drug and alcohol testing while in school. Schools are under the same law as carriers when it comes to DOT Testing.

I don't want to discourage you. Ask your doctor if it is safe for you to drive a commercial motor vehicle. If the answer is yes that's a good start.
I send people for DOT Level-5 drug test everyday. Ask the collector if they want a list of meds you take. Some will take the information, some will not. My collection company works for the lab and will not take medical information. The MRO will contact you if your test is positive. You will have the opportunity to discuss your test results with him/her.
You can look up driver physical requirements at Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

Good luck and be safe.

I would say, be honest at the physical. The drug screen is only looking for certain drugs anyway, but I would tell them the drugs that you are using, also see if there are any warnings about driving heavy machinery or driving while on this medicine, if it is deemed safe by a doctor, the rules do not forbid you using them as a CDL driver.

Hey Smoke do you have gout?

Yes ,
It's going to be hard , But you have to declare your medical problems . When looking for a job there are certain companies that do mostly drop and hook, or something like a dump truck operation. But you have to check with your doctor to see if the medication you are taking is acceptable per DOT regs.Watch the trucks going down the road , stop in a truck stop talk with drivers find out what each company (driver) is responsible for .
Hope that helps .PM me if I can help any !
I used to do some road work out of Chicago , but now I'm just a package car driver, doing more stops before lunch than you do in a month .But right now ,not doing much as I'm sporting a cast on my wrist . A nice birthday present .Long story..

Mike

do you have gout?