Calling all OTR/Semi drivers or CDL holders
 

Alrighty guys......since i cant seem to find a job anywhere, im going back to college to take a Professional Driving Prep class ad get my Class A CDL.(for anyone interested i do have the info scanned for anyone to read if so desired)

In order to take this class i need to first obtain my CDL Permit, which requires me to read Sec. 1,2,3,4,5 in the CDL Manual which i believe is a Federally used manual?

What im looking for from you guys in posting this, is possible help/suggestions from you guys who do this everyday, deal with the pre trip walk around inspections, bad drivers, shifting gears, all that stuff. Also, id like to know what to look/watch for when taking my driving test, what to or not to do etc.



Lastly, in taking this course, i should be able to obtain a job prior to even finishing the class, so if anyone here is looking for someone to fill a CDL driving position at a job, please let me know/link me some info to the job and i may consider relocating to take the job.

wow....not a single CDL holder/driver on DB huh.........i know thats not true!

I just work on the damn things, I don't know how to drive them.

Few things here.
Don't go to 'college' to do truck driving. A lot of places that are hireing will send you to a specialized truck driving school. This will be a 2-3 week classroom/hands-on class that will teach you all you need to know about driving. They will provide the manuals for the written test, test prep info (this is code word for a cheat sheet to the questions/answers of the CDL written test) and they provide the truck to take the driving test when it's time. The truck will be an automatic with the minimum amount of trailer to make the test as easy as possible. They'll even have you drive the course for the test just so you know what's to be expected. They will go all over per-trip stuff and everything you'll need to get started.

Once you pass that and have your lisence, the company who sent you there and now will 'employ' you will team you up with an experianced driver and you are on the road. That person will teach you about the log book, hitching and securing loads, fueling....etc. Then when it's time, your employer will set you off on your own truck.

Now that's just a short version of the quick/easy way. The company might make you sign a contract that you'll stay employed with them fot X months/years, which is just to ensure they get a return on their investment. Be carefull there is nothing in there about buying a truck from them for X amount, or 'renting' the truck. It's their truck, you are just driving it for them and maintaining it for them when needed. Once you save enough money, buy your own truck and become an owner/operator. That's where the real money starts coming in. :choochoo:

Truck driving jobs are everywhere, you'll have no problems finding employment with a class A CDL. Worse comes to worse, swing down here. Local transport from the Houston Ship Channel to places in Houston and surrounding areas is big $$$. My buddy makes $75 a load to go from the HSC to the NE side of Houston. He does 3-4 a day, 5 days a week, using their truck......do the math.:U:

X2 that is the way to or a least give it a good try before you go to school on your own.

oh ok, well i got a while beofre the class actually begins......also the employers come to the class and ask us if we want to be employed by them because know how well done this course is. So its the same concept but instead of us going to them for a job they come to us asking if we will take a job with them.

What ever you do don't go to a company's driving school, if you can afford to pay for it on your own do that, this way ensures you don't get employed by as company you don't like after a month, sounds like your plan is good with the class you are gonna take just stick with that. Just study the book all the answers are there, it sounds alot harder than it is.

chad

How much is the class going to cost?

I got your text message just haven't had a chance to reply back to ya.

did they ever pass the federal law on october 1st 2008 that everyone would have to take a class inorder to get there CDL? here in idaho you only had to take the writen and driving and you got the lisence

Effective 01/02/2009...which was yesterday, in Washington State:

Before you can get a commercial driver license (CDL), you must successfully complete a training course approved by the Department of Licensing. The training must include at least the following:
Class of CDL Minimum training required
Class A 160 total hours, including at least:

* 40 hours of classroom instruction
* 18 hours of street driving training
* 16 hours of training in backing maneuvers
* 16 hours of proficiency development
* 70 hours of combined lab training, range training and observation

Class B 48 total hours, including at least:

* 20 hours of classroom instruction
* 14 hours of street driving training
* 4 hours of training in backing maneuvers
* 4 hours of proficiency development
* 6 hours of combined lab training, range training and observation

Class C 36 total hours, including at least:

* 20 hours of classroom instruction
* 8 hours of street driving training
* 2 hours of training in backing maneuvers
* 2 hours of proficiency development
* 4 hours of combined lab training, range training and observation

After you complete the minimum training requirements

The training school will give you a certificate of completion that you must present at a driver licensing office when you get your CDL. You don’t need the training certificate to schedule and take a CDL skills test, but you must present the original certificate at the licensing office after you have passed all applicable CDL knowledge and skills tests and are ready to get your CDL. You won’t be issued a CDL unless you present the original certificate. Photocopies, faxed copies, or mailed certificates won’t be accepted.
Types of drivers exempt from training requirements
Employer-certified drivers

If your employer agrees that you have the skills and training necessary to operate a commercial motor vehicle safely, they will complete and sign an employer certification that includes the classes of commercial vehicles you may operate. To be exempt from meeting the minimum training requirements, you must present the signed certification at a driver licensing office when you apply for your CDL.

To qualify as an “employer,” the person or organization who completes the certification must:

* register with us. (See Employer registration and certification to learn how to register as an employer.)
* have hired at least 1 individual to operate a commercial motor vehicle on a regular basis during their normal course of business.
* not have the primary purpose of training commercial vehicle operators.

Agribusiness

From January 2 – December 31, 2009, you may get a 5-year restricted CDL without meeting the minimum training requirements if you will be operating a commercial motor vehicle only for agribusiness purposes. Starting January 2, 2010, you will be required to meet the minimum training requirements before you can get a CDL for agribusiness.

An “agribusiness” is a private carrier who primarily transports the following products during the normal course of business:

* Farm machinery, farm equipment, and implements of husbandry.
* Farm supplies and materials.
* Seed, feed, fertilizer, and crop protection products.
* Unprocessed agricultural commodities.
* Any combination of the above.

This is happening in other states as well, if it hasn't already.

so maybe its required then?

If you wanna take alil road trip to WI theres a school about 10 miles from me that teaches ya everything.... Truck Driver Training School, Diesel Driving School :pca1:

the crapy thing is ive been driving the damn things for years but never got my foalblown CDL because of farmers exemption, backing up a super- b train fully loaded with hay is a snap, i really wish i would have jumped on the opertunity:argh:

I started out at a feed mill - drove for 6 months without a cdl - took written and then driving - that was 15 years ago but I know there are alot of rock hauling companies in Des Moines (wife used to work at a rock quarry up there) - my brother-in-law and father-in-law both run concrete pumps in Des Moines - pumping concrete is a fun job, it's like getting paid to play with a big remote control truck - in Iowa there is a great company called Sun Concrete Pumping (they are union so the pay is great - maybe around $25/hr after 90 days) - I've been pumping for almost 15 years and love it - in TX the money is less but you get to work all year, ends up close to the same (between $50 & $60 k per year) - If you need some phone #s for some people up there let me know - some will help you get your cdl - good luck

I met a guy that went to that school when I lived in Madison. He thought it was kind of a joke. He knew how to drive(farmboy) just needed help getting his CDL and endorements. He would tell me about this one oldtimer instructor that sore if you trained yourself to sleep only 2 hrs thats all you needed. He said most of there trucks (6 years ago) where POS. They did have guys come from Swift looking to hire guys from the school.

:lol: Yea, don't know anything personally about the school, but the trucks they use now are 02 and up freight shakers. Just an Idea probably cheaper that college, which I never knew they had classes for driving truck otr.... :humm:

---AutoMerged DoublePost---

BTW didn't you just get a job at Cummins not that long ago?

Ya they do. One of the best one's I've heard of in this area takes a long time to complete and has a waiting list to get in. The problem is (Don't take this the wrong way) it seems like college and truck driver should never be used in the same sentence. When I went to test for my CDL, I was surrounded by a LOT of poeple that couldn't even speak english, much less even spell CDL. :se: They can find jobs (that's pronounced 'yobs') and there are a lot of 'help wanted' signs around here. That's why I say, do a quick class, learn the basics and roll with it. :c:

yeah def man....hook me up

cummins crazed dont be worried about getting a cdl go to a local trk stop and see what rolls in and if you are scared that their intelligence exceeds yours than find a cliff and jump. if you dont jump do what the one guy said and get your own trk after a little expirience (cuz if you are just learning you dont want to tear up your own equipment) and last if your go otr just remember if its too go to be true avoid it this got me in trouble on the road good luck!!!

No Lot Lizards either! :pca1:

yeah what he said:bat:

And just when you think you know it all and think you are the best, open your eyes.:w2:

I didn't/don't mind driving but most (car/pickup) drivers are idiots when it comes to driving on the same highway as a Class 8 truck.:argh:

I manage a shop with 17 truck and pups, most of them are very good drivers:U: but a couple of them think they know it all.:booo:

I don't know if they have this down there but up here you can rent a truck and trailer for $250. They meet you at the testing site, take you over the route, walk you through the truck and how it operates and then you take your test. All you need to do is go get your permit and study up.

Now a lot of companies may not let you get into a Class A rig right off the bat. Yo might have to take a Class B driving gig for a bit to get your experience but at least you have your license.

funny you mention Concrete.. that is what i do in IA!... i drive cement truck for a living, the pay is decent, you get to drive a big heavy a$$ truck and see all kinds of new construction everyday. I also run tractor/trailer when im not busy driving cement truck. The job is a fun challenging job.