Profile For Daniel K.

Testing out tomorrow! Although I am looking forward to getting out on the road, it looks like my first big rig is gonna look a lot more like a fork-lift. I am going to try to find a hauling job 1 or 2 days a week to keep me shifting. Starting pay on the docks is excellent. I figure if I turn down Fed-Ex now, I might not be able to get in later. At 49 I think this is my best option. I am joining with my CDL A, hazmat, twic, tanker, doubles/triples, so my hope is they can fast track me from within. I hope they realize how serious I am when I install my dash-cam and CB. I am a little apprehensive, but I have to trust it will work out. I am thinking, worst case scenario, I will have to take a 40 hour refresher down the line. If it works out like I anticipate I can catapult pretty quickly. If i am missing anything, please let me know, thanks!

I have a learning disability and I am about to be going to school soon but only thing that's is stressing me is the permit test

Not slighting your difficulties, but I wanted to tell you that you are not alone when it comes to learning challenges. This site was crucial to getting a head start. you can youtube anything! APEX puts out some good videos. In addition, get a CDL MANUAL and as you go through sections, USE A HIGHLIGHTER, and highlight the key points. Then go back and study your highlights. (separates the mumbo/jumbo) Good Luck! Remember, any questions, pose them to this site, these guys are awesome!

3 days before my test out day for my cdl a....My instructor is screaming at me " TWO HANDS ON THE WHEEL!" My response is "NO PROBLEM SIR" BUT "WHO'S SHIFTIN!!!!"

First of all, I am a newbie. At this point I have no business driving an 80,000 lb missile down the road! Live in an area that will send you to school via career link or any other grant? Please understand what I am telling you. It is for your CDL. It is not for training, so lower your expectations. Any disappointment you feel, channel it towards the patience that you will need in traffic, with dispatchers, as well as the overall hazards and frustrations you will experience on the road. Get Your CDL, get out, be grateful and open to allowing a company who is willing to take a chance on someone who 1: Has no driving experience and 2: Was able to find someone else to pay for their CDL because they had no plan, no money and few options. That is not a jab, it's reality. The attitude of entitlement is the same attitude that motivates aggressive drivers. Aggressive drivers belong in golf carts, not SEMIS! Yeah, I came thru career link, training sucks. But you know what sucked more? Not having a lot of opportunities in this economy. Please appreciate the the world that opens up to you, and remember that many of those vehicles on the road contain a taxpayer that contributed to the opportunity you have to provide for yourself and your family. GOD BLESS

I had the option, in Pa., to go to a County school Program (240) hours or a trucking school (160) hours. I opted for the 160 hours. Fortunately, we live in an area of the country where there is a lot of work. I supplement my (160 hour) course with a lot of on line viewing, i.e. training videos on coupling, backing, parking, etc. Now, I wasn't smart, it just worked out that I had gotten my permit and all my endorsements prior to school, so when I went to school, I was out in the yard within a half hour, literally. I just envision a college program to be redundant on class time. Anyway, that's what i did. Bottom line, if you feel confident in your ability to learn, have good motor skills, pick up things with relative ease, then consider not getting tied up for the extra two weeks. Please keep in mind, that I am not slighting the necessity of proper training, in fact, never forget these trucks are missiles on wheels. Don't rely on any of these (outside) schools to teach you much more than enough to get your cdl.

See if this helps. Pick up your driver side drive tire (rear axle of tractor) in your mirror. With your peripheral vision, draw a straight line to the rear trailer tire, if they are in unicent, you are rolling straight, if not, make the adjustment. All major corrections must be made outside the box, inside the box, you shouldn't have to move that wheel more than two inches. Don't forget to watch both mirrors like a ping pong match, back and forth, whatever side the trailer is swaying too, consider that the problem, turn the wheel towards the problem, get back to center with steering wheel, and the trailer will tuck in. If you need to tuck it in more, do that again. Most importantly, don't overthink it, when it clicks in your head, you will backing up to Boston.

I started training at a 160 hr. course in Pa. on Monday. I went with all my endorsements/permit, da da da. This allowed me to go right out to yard after fmca cert. Monday - Wednesday I accomplished straight line backing and parallel. Thurs went to Newark for TWIC and received notification of Hazmat approval. I know my pre-trip and am awaiting the opportunity to start shifting. THERE IS NO WAY i would have gotten this jump start without you guys. Thank you very much!

My number one concern has been getting a (recognizable) CDL without losing my FAM. I believe in 5 weeks or so, i will have my license from a 160 hour course. How can I market it to limit extensive OTR time? Are there specific companies who will take recent grads for local routes?

I have cdl permit, tanker, hazmat endorsements, DOT physical good for 2 years. Blood pressure borderline, but passed for 2 years. (eating better, no meds) I am concerned about the idea of traveling to a training facility and having my BP questionable. I am in no position to take a 2000 mile ride to return with no CDL

Thanks all for the advice.

Just wanted to tell you be careful. I too am about to get OTR without formal training. One thing i will make sure of is that I take a trip, a week or so, with the guy who is giving me the truck. That might not sound like much but it will give me a feel for the responsibility of 80,000 lbs over multiple 11 hour drives. I have about 20,000 miles driving a straight truck, 20,000 lbs and I don't even begin to kid myself it is the same. I do have the similarities of 14+ hour drives, but 4x the weight comes with a whole lot more responsibility. Watch your fatigue, and especially your following distance and the right gear going down hill. By the time you need comforting advice on these issues, it is too late. Remember that your number one obligation is for the safety of others, your safety, and keeping that truck under control. GOD BLESS