Profile For Hiram H.

I have a question about the medical card. I got my medical card before going to CDL school. It shows a "YES" under the title INTRASTATE ONLY and it shows a "NO" under the title CDL. I did self certify as non-excepted interstate with the DDS and I now have a CDL-class A license. Does anybody knows if I need to get and updated medical card?

Tangential question: Is personal funds used only for personal purchases, or are drivers responsible for fueling, tolls, etc. as well? Would that be based on a company's individual policies or is it an industry-wide standard?

Well, I have read in the blogs of this website that normally you do not have to use your own money for company expenses. Also read that in case of emergency company related expenses, to keep the receipts and it might be reimbursed to you.

That's right Hiram.

I use mine everywhere. You just call your bank and they will put your card into a "travel" designation which will allow you to use it freely wherever you go. They will usually limit how long that travel designation lasts, but they will tell you so that you will know to renew that designation when it comes time.

Thanks for the response Old School! I know that with that benefit comes the high risk of someone stealing ones identity, since the bank will not be able to discern between my card use or someone else using my info to make online purchases. Have you had any problems with that?

I am about to start working over-the-road soon and was wondering how other drivers deal with the use of debit and credit cards authorizations while over the road. I guess I will have to call my bank and explain that I will be an over the road trucker...?

That's awesome. I can't wait to know how it feels. Congratulations!

Thanks! I feel really happy! It is still sinking-in my brain! I see that you are in CDL School. My recommendation to you is that you memorize the pre-trip inspection and keep focus. Good luck to you!

I forgot to mention that the rest of my class will be testing this week.

I am super exited, finally got through with CDL testing. I still have a week left at school. We will be doing some driving and shifting. Including me, three other students in my class also passed the CDL testing. I am invited to Werner's orientation on October 7th.

I want to thanks Bret for this great website. It's been instrumental in my trucking education. Any advised about rookie life at Werner is welcome.

I agree 100%, the High Road Training Program is great! It helped me pass the CDL permit on one sitting including the tanker endorsement. I will start my CDL school tomorrow in a Technical College here in Georgia. I don't know what to expect. I will be keeping my eyes wide open! Need to pass my CDL testings. Good luck to us! We need it. Keep us post it!

Just a general letter that you can use wherever you need to.

Old School, Thank you very much!

Hiram, this shouldn't be a major obstacle for you.

First off the major reason for this past employment check required by the FMCSA is to make sure where you've been for the past few years. This was instituted immediately following the 9/11 attack on our country. The Feds wanted to keep terrorists from using tanker trucks in a similar fashion as they did with the planes.

Secondly a simple letter from a couple of your friends or customers and one from your accountant stating the facts just like you told us will in most cases suffice. Take the letters to a public notary and have them notarized. The letters must be from people who are not related to you.

I've helped several people get past this same situation, and this has always worked.

Use your past employment records with those letters for proof of the last few years and you should be in good standing.

Old School, Thank you for your answer! Should it be a general letter or do you think it should be addressed to each specific company I will be applying for?

Outside of a few very picky places, this shouldn't matter at all once you explain the situation. Take a deep breath and keep going!

Jrod, thanks for the words of encouragement. I really appreciate it.

I am about to start my CDL school in a Technical College. I am 57 year old with 29 years of verifiable employment. From 2012 to 2014 I was involved in a small business with my wife. She was the one holding the business license and we worked together for that period of time and we filed joint tax returns. For tax purposes, she had the business and I was unemployed/retired? My CPA knew we had this type of arrangement and at the moment I did not care. We were working hard and making a living and I did not care everything was under my wife name. Little did I know this was going to affect me negatively in trying to get a job in the trucking industry. We closed the small business back in December 2014 and moved to another state, to be closer to family. She found a job; but I have not. And, like a lot of other people have done, I decided to get into truck driving which is something I have been thinking about doing someday.

My question here is, "What in essence does the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration intended with this requirement?" This matter is bothering me because I am afraid I am not going to be able to get an OTR job.

I will appreciate any input in the subject. I am keeping my expectations low and an open mind. OTR or no OTR I am going to give it my best shot at getting my CDL license.

Woo, that took forever. Brett, you really got to up that character limit for me!

Anyways, a few general tips:

If its rubber - ABC

If it has fluid/air going through it or in it - Not leaking.

If its mounted (almost everything is)- PMS

If its metal or some other hard surface- CBB

Memorize this and you'll ace it! Any questions?

Wow! That was great! Very detailed. Let see how I put all of that in my head???