Declined By Prime Trucking School...
Topic 13623 | Page 1
Welcome to Trucking Truth, Michael. Sorry you're starting out in such circumstances. Truck companies don't like to see "unemployed" for long periods of time.
Have you used the all at once Apply For Truck Driving Jobs link? Combined with the Trucking Company Reviews section you should be able to make a connection to a company you'll like.
You've poked around the TT site. Did you catch these?
- Truck Driver's Career Guide
- Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
- High Road Training Program
You'll need the High Road Program for your CDL permit. You can also take a closer look at Truck Driving School Listings and Company-Sponsored Training Programs.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Company-sponsored Training:
A Company-Sponsored Training Program is a school that is owned and operated by a trucking company.
The schooling often requires little or no money up front. Instead of paying up-front tuition you will sign an agreement to work for the company for a specified amount of time after graduation, usually around a year, at a slightly lower rate of pay in order to pay for the training.
If you choose to quit working for the company before your year is up, they will normally require you to pay back a prorated amount of money for the schooling. The amount you pay back will be comparable to what you would have paid if you went to an independently owned school.
Company-sponsored training can be an excellent way to get your career underway if you can't afford the tuition up front for private schooling.
Hi, first time posting on here. After a long bout of unemployment (if you don't have a CDL in western Oklahoma you aren't working apparently), I've decided I needed to make a change in my life. I've always loved trucks...being around them, watching them on the roads, etc. so I'm resolved to see if I have the right stuff to join in.
Unfortunately, as I stated before I've been unemployed since last August, other than a few odd jobs here and there. Money is scarce, almost non-existent. I did some research (mainly on this site) and Prime seems like a fine company to work for. I sent in an application for their trucking school (I already have my CDL permit). This morning, a recruiter called and said they were declining due to my work history. What confuses me is I don't have a history of hopping from job to job...the last job I had I was there for almost 4 years. Ive never quit a job either (layoffs and company restructuring got me). Is this something that other companies will say as well? It's pretty frustrating.
I've contacted Swift, and a local trucking school as well (American Trucking School in Oklahoma City). I'm determined to make this change, but it's not gonna be easy it seems.
Hey Michael I live in Tulsa! Prime was my first option too but then the recruiter told me I have to stay until May to my current employer before they will put my application into processing.. Same reason! I got laid off to my previous job and just started working to my current employer feb this year. They are very strict! I am disappointed and frustrated as well but I never gave up! I followed Errol's advice to put more application while waiting.. PAM , SWIFT , MILLIS , CRST , CELADON , MAVERICK and JIM PALMER. The only company that pull me down is Jim Palmer due to my center lane violation. The rest of the company they accepted my application with no problem at all.
Maverick ordered my background check and check all of my previous employer 3 days ago and asked more copy of my social. They also gave me link for my driver's dashboard where I can track the status of my application. Just waiting for committee approval. Hopefully tomorrow I will hear some good news from my recruiter.
Don't give up! and by the way. How did you get the permit? I mean the dr? I wanna get my permit before heading to school just in case so it will save me ton of times and get more endorsement.
Mesg me if you have any question :)
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
SAP:
Substance Abuse Professional
The Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) is a person who evaluates employees who have violated a DOT drug and alcohol program regulation and makes recommendations concerning education, treatment, follow-up testing, and aftercare.
Don't let it get ya down. I too applied with Prime & even had a date set with my recruiter to attend school. I was later dismayed to find out you must have held a license for 3 consecutive years to be considered. Unfortunately almost a couple of years ago my license expired (on my birthday) and I failed to renew it prior. (Who wants to spend their bithday at the license branch?) :)
Swift has a more reasonable 12 month requirement so I'm now scheduled to start the Swift program in about 10 days. Onward & Upward!
Don't let it get ya down. I too applied with Prime & even had a date set with my recruiter to attend school. I was later dismayed to find out you must have held a license for 3 consecutive years to be considered. Unfortunately almost a couple of years ago my license expired (on my birthday) and I failed to renew it prior. (Who wants to spend their bithday at the license branch?) :)
Swift has a more reasonable 12 month requirement so I'm now scheduled to start the Swift program in about 10 days. Onward & Upward!
Haha ur not alone! What division are you in? Goodluck! :)
Haha ur not alone! What division are you in? Goodluck! :)
Thanks! I don't really have my heart set on a particular division. Dryvan and/or Tanker are my top picks, followed by flatbed...anything but reefer really. I don't think I'm well suited for the waiting around that reefer entails. I would undoubtedly go stir crazy waiting to be loaded/unloaded LOL.
Nothing against reefer haulers... It's a noble business & power to them! The anxiety of managing my schedule around the uncertainty of a lumpers ability (or inability) to not drag their feet just doesn't appeal to my sense of puctuality. 
Dryvan:
A trailer or truck that that requires no special attention, such as refrigeration, that hauls regular palletted, boxed, or floor-loaded freight. The most common type of trailer in trucking.Reefer:
A refrigerated trailer.
Hi, first time posting on here. After a long bout of unemployment (if you don't have a CDL in western Oklahoma you aren't working apparently), I've decided I needed to make a change in my life. I've always loved trucks...being around them, watching them on the roads, etc. so I'm resolved to see if I have the right stuff to join in.
Unfortunately, as I stated before I've been unemployed since last August, other than a few odd jobs here and there. Money is scarce, almost non-existent. I did some research (mainly on this site) and Prime seems like a fine company to work for. I sent in an application for their trucking school (I already have my CDL permit). This morning, a recruiter called and said they were declining due to my work history. What confuses me is I don't have a history of hopping from job to job...the last job I had I was there for almost 4 years. Ive never quit a job either (layoffs and company restructuring got me). Is this something that other companies will say as well? It's pretty frustrating.
I've contacted Swift, and a local trucking school as well (American Trucking School in Oklahoma City). I'm determined to make this change, but it's not gonna be easy it seems.
Any gaps in your work history must be filled in. If you were on unemployment you must show exact dates and have some way to prove it like pay stubs or tax forms or something. Talk to the recruiter about what specifically is the problem and work to fix it. You can still be approved, dont give up, most companies want a 10 year work history and any gaps in employment must be verified somehow. Get a letter from the people who hired you for odd jobs, use exact dates the timeline must be accurate.
Phil
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Check with central tech, see if thay can find you a sponsor. Xpo might be a good fit. Believe I know about western Ok. Don't know how many, not hiring in that zip code, I've received. I'm picky so I'll pay for my training, I've had my job for 30 years, never had but a couple speed trap tickets, no accidents, don't smoke, drink, or do drugs. So I've been told with my cdl I'll have no problem finding a job. Time will tell! Best of luck stay safe.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Don't give up! and by the way. How did you get the permit? I mean the dr? I wanna get my permit before heading to school just in case so it will save me ton of times and get more endorsement.
Mesg me if you have any question :)
Thanks everybody for the advice. I'm not giving up, just a bit frustrated.
Flatie C, I just studied the drivers manual, took a bunch of practice tests, went to the DMV and took the tests. I learned quite a bit just from this.
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.DMV:
Department of Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
The state agency that handles everything related to your driver's licences, including testing, issuance, transfers, and revocation.
Don't give up! and by the way. How did you get the permit? I mean the dr? I wanna get my permit before heading to school just in case so it will save me ton of times and get more endorsement.
Mesg me if you have any question :)
Thanks everybody for the advice. I'm not giving up, just a bit frustrated.
Flatie C, I just studied the drivers manual, took a bunch of practice tests, went to the DMV and took the tests. I learned quite a bit just from this.
What about the DOT?
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.DMV:
Department of Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
The state agency that handles everything related to your driver's licences, including testing, issuance, transfers, and revocation.
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Hi, first time posting on here. After a long bout of unemployment (if you don't have a CDL in western Oklahoma you aren't working apparently), I've decided I needed to make a change in my life. I've always loved trucks...being around them, watching them on the roads, etc. so I'm resolved to see if I have the right stuff to join in.
Unfortunately, as I stated before I've been unemployed since last August, other than a few odd jobs here and there. Money is scarce, almost non-existent. I did some research (mainly on this site) and Prime seems like a fine company to work for. I sent in an application for their trucking school (I already have my CDL permit). This morning, a recruiter called and said they were declining due to my work history. What confuses me is I don't have a history of hopping from job to job...the last job I had I was there for almost 4 years. Ive never quit a job either (layoffs and company restructuring got me). Is this something that other companies will say as well? It's pretty frustrating.
I've contacted Swift, and a local trucking school as well (American Trucking School in Oklahoma City). I'm determined to make this change, but it's not gonna be easy it seems.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles: