Comments By Bob L.

Paul, the physical is my biggest concern as well - I'm pretty sure I'll be ok, but am going to do a visit to my Dr. beforehand, just to be sure. What's helpful in my case (and that I just found out yesterday) is that my Dr. does DOT physicals, so I'm assuming he would be well-versed on the particulars of required/desired meds (if any are needed), etc. I agree wholeheartedly with Brett's advice - you don't have to make huge changes, just eat a little less, and move a little more

I think my biggest issue is too much caffeine, not enough water - I'm 5'8, about 190 lbs. I'd like to lose about 15-20 lbs, and my orientation is probably 6 or more weeks off (end of march/beginning of april)

That all sounds like great advice Jeff. I'm definitely going to try hard to lose weight. Thanks!

This thread summarizes my primary concern at this point - I've been accepted by Prime for Company-Sponsored training ; my main concern now is carving off some pounds (my BMI is right around 30); I also know that my BP tends to climb when I gain weight. I don't think I've ever gone above 140/90 when I've been measured at the Dr's office, and I'm planning on seeing the doc before I take the DOT physical.

BTW, I had an earlier thread on Prime wrt which state you get your CDL in; Daniel was correct - you get your CDL in Missouri, then have 30 days to transfer it to your home state. According to my recruiter, if the home state requires a retest, they keep you with your trainer until you complete that. I can also get my CDL permit in my home state, and they will convert that to a MO CDL permit (the recruiter suggested I do this to make the first few days at school less hectic). It looks like Prime requires you to get a 2-year card when you come to school; anyone know anything about this?

Transferring rules seem to vary from state to state - as far as "age of CDL" - and what you have to "re-take" to transfer.

99% of states require you to re-do HazMat (including background) to transfer - but since there is no such thing as a "HM Permit" - you don't actually GET the HM, until you have a full CDL in-hand.

Out of state "CDL Permits" are OK to use in training - as long as you have a fully licensed CDL-holder in the front seat next to you.

Having your permit in-hand when showing up - allows you to "by-pass" the initial process in school, of taking the written exams and obtaining your permit.

Some schools REQUIRE a permit from your home state in advance of coming in - so do not - and some others require you to obtain your permit in the state where you are going to school, testing in that state - and then transferring to your home state. I've heard that others still, require you to take your skills/pre-trip/road test in your home state.

I have never heard of ANYONE (regardless of schools permit requirements) that has used the HIGH ROAD TRAINING PROGRAM - not passing their written/permit exams ON THE FIRST TRY.

Rick

The HM stuff makes perfect sense (hauling HM on a permit seems silly on it's face, at least to me...); what seems a bit stranger to me is getting a Missouri CDL permit, then a Missouri CDL, while having a Massachusetts Class 'D' (non-commercial) license; seems strange to be issued a CDL by a state that I'm not a resident of, plus having 2 chances to screw up the road test kinda doubles the risk, if ya know what I mean (I'm not overly concerned about any of the written tests, I retain those kind of things fairly well)

I guess I should bring this up with the recruiter I'm dealing with...

I also just looked at converting an out-of-state CDL to a MA CDL; looks like they want 2 years experience on the other state's CDL, or you have to re-test - Is this pretty much the norm, or is this another example of 'pain-in-the-@ss-achusetts'? LOL

Looks like I may be going company-sponsored thru Prime; one thing I'm not 100% clear on is where you get your CDL Permit/license if you go thru them - I assume it's in your home state, but some of the info on their site indicates their school issues permits/licenses in Missouri. Anyone recently go thru them, and if so, what was your experience?

Hey Michael, your situation sounds so similar to mine it's uncanny - I've been given a layoff notice, and I think I'm going to use that as a 'push' to change careers (I'm currently in IT also, been there for 15 years, and I'm burnt out on it). I don't think ANYONE runs any company schools up here, I'm pretty sure you'd have to travel. I'm looking at moving to Phoenix, AZ in the very near future, but in the event I stay in this neck of the woods, I'd probably go with NETTTS, or another private school.

Thank you for the replies so far; I'm leaning towards moving first myself, but wanted to make sure I'm not going to run into any snags - like needing to have an Arizona class D license for a certain length of time first, or something along those lines. I know several of the major carriers run their training academies in Phoenix, and the relatives I would be staying with only live a half-hour or less from most of them (Swift and Knight come to mind right away, and I like Knight's philosophy of no team driving with a trainer - makes a TON of sense to me), so I wouldn't need to be away from 'home' during the first phase. I still plan on attending a private school vs. company-sponsored, but having that flexibility sounds good to me.

I'm looking at the potential to move from Massachusetts to Arizona in the next few months; if I also intend to obtain my CDL, is there any advantage to getting my CDL then moving, or vice versa (move, then get CDL in AZ)?

Hi All, noticed this site while researching a potential career change, and had a question RE: how far back most companies go on the driving record. I have a reckless driving on my record, but it's really old (like 20 years old; in fact, my driving record is spotless for the last 18 years or so). I'm thinking I'll probably go to a driving school vs. company-sponsored training, and would rather not throw money down the drain only to find out I'm not employable.