Profile For Adam H.

As far as doctor notes, get one explaining any existing condition and any limitations involved (such as diabetes), and I would get one for any injury you had in the last 6 months if any. Mostly a precaution. The one note they asked me for happened to be screwed up! Oh well, I'll be right back next week. Just remember, the more of your history you can prove going in, the less stressful it will be for you. Oh, and tell them you have the condition(s), but only give a note if it is asked for. You can easily have this information faxed, just at least call your doctor's office to let them know you may need some records on short notice. -Adam H.

Just to give you a little peace of mind, I just went through Prime's orientation. I came in with my permit (needs minimum of tanker endorsement, you get the REQUIRED hazmat and twic card through Prime), and every piece of paper I could think of for verification. You only need 5 years of employment verification if you have no commercial driving experience, up to 10 if you do. Log in to IRS.gov and go to transcripts. Print as many years of Wage Summary W-2 transcripts as you need. This will serve as employment verification. My roomate had a felony from 11 years ago and leaves with his trainer tonight. Just tell the recruiter EVERYTHING.

Do as others said and verify that it was not a disqualifying offense for getting the twic card. The background check is for two things: 1. To make sure you can get a twic card and hazmat endorsement, and 2. To see if you were honest. Most honest mistakes in the gold packet will be forgiven as long as there are no disqualifying offenses you did not mention. I had a bogus reckless driving charge dismissed before the trial, but it still shows as a dismissed charge in your criminal history (NOT mvr). I explained it at the interview and was told, "don't worry about it, you wouldn't know without pulling your own criminal history."

Also, go to your doctor and get an office note for EVERY ongoing or recent condition. Make sure nothing in your medical history will keep you from getting a medical card. I'm on greyhound home on Prime's money to fix a mistake that my doctor made in my file, but will return sometime next week to get the medical card and Prime badge. They even checked up on me to make sure I would be able to come back. (Note: they can EITHER pay your way home OR your way back, not both) Show them you want it, and be proactive and positive. They will work with you where they can.

Get your permit ahead of time. And try your best to get everything done the first day of orientation. Yes, it sucks waiting in line for hours just to change rooms and do it several more times. Smile and make friends instead of complaining. The time will fly by. If you get it all done, you will be free after classes every day, which gives you a golden opportunity to find and talk to Prime drivers and instructors. Their opinions only made me feel better about the company.

One more thing, the whole week is an interview. Be polite, courteous, and early the entire time. When they give instructions, write them down and follow through. Hold doors for people. Pick up trash here and there even if it isn't yours. And please take the simulators seriously. They don't grade you on them at that phase, but a lot of the PSD Instructors come in and see how you did before they talk to you. They notice. Everyone from the instructors to the cafeteria workers to even the cleaning ladies at the Campus Inn is watching you. Act like you're in a week long interview and you'll be just fine. The people who got sent home this week either lied on the application, failed the drug test, or chose to go home. Good Luck! -Adam H.

See you guys there! Was just wondering if anyone from here was coming on that date.

I'm boarding Saturday evening. Not sure where you are coming from but I'm boarding in Montgomery, AL. If your recruiter didn't tell you, be sure to bring a photo ID WITH that permit. Holly said the old license is good enough. I wouldn't have known if I hadn't asked. -Adam

Well, I got a call this morning and got bumped up so I'll be on a bus this weekend. Anyone else here starting at Prime the 26th? -Adam

Should be getting that bus ticket info late next week. I'm already set up for Feb. 2nd. And yes, the High Road has things written in a way that's easy to understand. Some of the Alabama DMV tests seemed to have been written by a chimp...

Just a big thanks to Brett and anyone else involved. Went through the High Road Training Program and aced the permit and endorsement tests first try. The trooper at the dmv asked me if I was going to school and how long I studied. I told her I wasn't and a little over a week... She just stared at me slackjawed, lol. I told her to look this place up and she said she'd use the High Road Training Program when she has to take her tests again! Thanks for the wonderful resource here! Now if I can just hurry up and get that bus ticket... -Adam

Thanks guys! I'm going to go through all of it a few times. Got until the first week of February. Just wanted to make sure I have the learner's permit info down first. -Adam

Hey guys, I've been using the High Road Training Program to study, and I was just wondering what sections to review for the written exam only. I will continue studying the manual and program, but I just want to review the necessary sections for the learner's permit with airbrakes and tanker endorsement before I go test this week. Thanks, -Adam

Thanks Gary. It looks like, in Alabama, they ask for a DOT physical to take the written CDL exam according to DMV.org. I couldn't get through to the one office in town that handles commercial drivers today, but I will try again tomorrow and go down there if nothing else. I still have my exam certificate from the last DOT physical I had and it's still good for another year. I thought it had just expired, but it hasn't. Hopefully they will be able to accept that.

On a side note, anyone here headed to Prime February 2nd?

-Adam

That's about what I expected. Fingers crossed anyways. I'll give the DMV a call first thing in the morning and set up a doctor's appointment if I need it. Thanks!

I will be starting my PSD program in Springfield, MO February 2nd! It's been a dream of mine to take one of these big rigs all across this country for a long time now. I started looking now as my financial situation dictates that I need to change things drastically. After poking around here I decided that this is the best time in my life to give it a shot. Big thanks to all of you guys here! The information on this site has been invaluable in seeing the whole picture of a career in otr trucking (without actually doing it) as well as solidified my decision to go with Prime!

I won't get my bus ticket info for a couple more weeks according to Holly at Prime, but she says I'm all set up for this stage. She gave me some homework as far as making sure I have all the required documents for orientation, and told me it would be a really good idea to go ahead and get the cdl permit with tanker endorsement while I wait to speed things up in Springfield. I've been reading here and going through the High Road training program (Thanks Brett!) for a couple weeks, and will go this week to get the permit.

I couldn't find clear info on my own. (Or maybe I just missed it) Do I need a DOT physical on my own just to test for the permit? I know Prime will do their own either way. Also, I understand the deal with recruiters, but Holly seemed to be a pretty straight shooter. She gave me answers I liked and didn't like, but they lined up with what I already knew from here. I explained that while my wife still has pretty good vision, she has secondary glaucoma, and her vision will decrease eventually. I explained that I really want her with me as a rider after we had been discussing the lightweight trucks. A big motivator for otr is seeing the country together. According to Holly, adding the passenger seat back to their new lightweights is not an option, but in my circumstance, they would get me in a full-size truck. It won't be a deal breaker for me if it doesn't happen, but it will suck. Does anyone on here with Prime have any experience with seeing this happen?

The waiting to get started and on the road is driving me crazy. I'll probably have everything ready on my end in a few days, that way I can go crazy waiting again, lol. At least we get some time at home together before that long training period out. I guess if I get lucky with a trainer I might get decent home time. But if not, we'll make it work until I get on the road.

Thanks to everyone here again!

-Adam