Profile For Jamie S.

Hi there. I need specific info about renewing my cdl in CA that I can't seem to find elsewhere. I haven't been using my CDL for a few years and its due to expire in a couple months. My medical card has been expired for almost two years. I called the DMV last year and was told that as long as I renew my medical within two years of being expired, I can renew my CDL without having to retake the driving tests. I'm wondering if anyone can confirm that, as I can't find any info online. Thanks! Jamie

So I'm about to go solo tomorrow. My company uses gps through the qualcomm (navigo), but during training, I found it to be inconsistent and confusing. Would it be worth it to get the Rand McNally gps, or would it be the same as the qualcomm?

Also Brett: I remember you mentioning you made an app for locating truck stops. How can I get that?

How's the training going? I'm really curious because I'm thinking about going to Schneider orientation (Fontana) in a couple weeks.

Hey Everyone,

So I just got my CDL last week, , and now I'm looking for my first driving job. I was originally thinking about Swift or Werner, whose training consists of going on the road with a trainer for a month or two, but Schneider offered me to come to their orientation/training, which is a bit different. Its only three weeks, one week at a training facility, one week of OTR training, and another back at the training facility. It sounds pretty good, but I can't help to wonder: is that going to be sufficient? If anyone has any input on this training method, or has trained with Schneider, I'd love to hear it.

Why are you not using a 53' trailer. That's crazy. I start my 4th week tommorrow and we been drivin and pretrippin a 53 footer since day 1.

At my school, they train you with smaller trailers, maybe 30', and after you get your cdl, you can practice with a 53' in the yard. This was the only school in my area that even has 53'. But I do understand that its a cdl school, and its main purpose is to get you your license.

Hello everyone. So I'm 4 weeks into private CDL school, and I have to say, its really challenging! Especially backing, and we're not even practicing on full length trailers. I do have good days though. But just when I think I'm getting the hang of it, the other day I can't back to save my a##! And I'm talking straight backing! My instructor came down hard on me, saying that I should have this by now (which I agree), and really rattled my confidence. I've driven on the streets a few times now, and that seems to get better each time, I just need to get used to turning with a trailer. But so far I haven't hit anything! :) He wants to make me a test appointmet at the DMV for mid-May, and I feel really unprepared and nervous about it, but it is still a few weeks away... Thanks for letting me vent, TT.

I went to the dmv today to apply for my cdl. I took all the written tests (including hazmat, tanker and double/triples) and passed them all with flying colors! I definitely owe a huge thanks to truckingtruth, because the training program here helped me to be more than prepared, so thanks Brett! Now I have my permit!

I also just finished my first week of school. So far its been nothing but pre-trip, but next week I will start learning the"skills". I can't wait!

My question right now is: do companies test you on pre-trip? and if so, how thorough do you have to be? I'm wondering because I have watched a lot of pre-trip videos online, and those show a much more derailed pre-trip than how I'm learning it in school...

I hope you've been studying your way through the High Road Training Program

I have indeed gone through the high road training program, a few times. I haven't got my permit yet only because if I waited to get approved for school, they cover all the dmv fees. The manager emailed me a ton of questions and answers from the written dmv tests, and most of it I already know from the high road. Though there are some that I didn't, I think state specific questions.

I've been planning this for a while now. I chose to go through private school, because being on disability, I qualified to get the school costs covered by the state. The only thing is, I didn't realize how long that would take. I submitted my request back in November, had an appointment in February, a follw-up appointment last week, and as of today I've been approved!

I went to the school today to do some basic paperwork. An interesting thing is that the manager told me that having to start off OTR is bs, but I politely interupted him to say that I WANTED to go OTR, and he seemed pleasantly surprised. He thinks that if I remain diligent, I could have my CDL by the end of April. He also told me that I would have to do the physical/drug test by the end of next week, and I asked if I could just do it today, and again, he seemed surprised by my eagerness. He told me most people are not as gung-ho.

I went to the clinic and did my DOT physical/drug test. Pretty basic, almost a rush-job. Pee in a cup, check my vision/ hearing/ bp, turn and cough... And now I have my medical card, good for 2 years.

Anyways, I start school monday morning! Can't wait!

On this note, what about the DOT physical/drug test? Do these need to be done before you can get a permit?