Starting Soon !

Topic 21183 | Page 1

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Bryan Q.'s Comment
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In janurary I should be starting with swift and I’m excited ! I can’t wait to learn to drive the big rigs and back a trailer. I drive a straight truck for my current company 26-40’ I believe. How can I shake the nervousness of getting behind the wheels of an 18wheeler ? Maybe it’s just the thought of having a trailer behind me ?

Truckin Along With Kearse's Comment
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Dont. that way you will be more careful. everyones nervous at first.

good luck and welcome!!

Big Scott's Comment
member avatar

Have you seen our starter package?

Go through all that and you will be ahead of the game.

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.
Errol V.'s Comment
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Hey Brian, where are you going for Swift training?

As for nervousness, you'll get used to pulling a 53 for long trailer. It's a matter of just doing it.

Rob T.'s Comment
member avatar

If I can do it, you can too as long as you listen to your instructors and do as they tell you. Prior to school I never drove anything bigger than the smallest uhaul truck, or pulled a trailer besides when I moved to Iowa from Florida.

As Rainey said, being nervous is good. You will be much more cautious and safe.

Also, when it comes to backing a 53 footer is much easier to back, than a smaller trailer (assuming you have the space). I've had my CDL for 3 months now and the 28' PUP trailer I pull is harder to back than the 53 in school. The shorter the trailer the more "touchy" it is, and less time to correct a mistake before you're all jacked up and have to pull up to get straight.

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.
Bryan Q.'s Comment
member avatar
Hey Brian, where are you going for Swift training?

I will be attending one of the academy in North Carolina. Hopefully the charollette location since it’s only 3 hrs from where I live

And rob everyone person I met said backing a 53 “ is much easier. So it’s giving me a little boost hearing that again !! I can’t wait to start this journey ! I can’t believe in just a couple of months I’ll be starting the trucking career

OOS:

When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.

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