Comments By Michael C.

Hey everyone, I just finished up at the Henderson Trucking Academy (got my CDL on the 19th ). I had a day to day written down on my tablet but it has since vanished off of the tablet since I got home for Thanksgiving.

Here is a brief rundown of what happened that I can remember.

Day 0 - Sunday Oct 25th

Check into hotel in O'fallon and get settled into your room.

Day 1 - Monday Oct 26th Day 1 of 3 orientation days in Caseyville at the yard 7-5 Paperwork galore, the company provided lunch for us from Domino's. Around 4 we were taken to the local Wal-Mart to do our shopping for the week.

Day 2/3 Tues-Wed Oct 27+28 8-5 both days Classroom time for getting your CLP at the hotel in the conference room. Break for lunch around noon back at 1PM.

Day 4 Thursday Oct 29th

My class was taken to the DMV and tested for our CLP. After we were all finished the ones who passed were taken to the yard and met with the instructors (they were in the classroom discussing technique for the skills tests). The ones who didn't were taken back to the hotel to study again and were given the option to test again that afternoon or the following morning.

Day 5 Friday Oct 30th through November 19th

Since the school had more students than intended we were split into two groups one in the morning (7-12) and other in the evening (1-5).

From here until the 3rd week I was solid in the yard only to practice my skills test. I was on the straight back for 4 days (3.5 more than needed) as I was told it was required. I was then moved to the offset for 2 days and then parallel for the rest of the time until I tested. I found out on the start of my 3rd week that my test date was the 19th of November. On the same token I was allowed to start driving on the road with an instructor this same week. It's based off of how well you are doing your skills test as to how fast your allowed to go on the road.

To keep a long story short, this is a less detailed version than what I originally had but I think it'll do the job. If anybody has any questions on the school let me know and I will be glad to answer what I can.

Overall I am satisfied with the school, I learned a lot and will learn even more when I go out with a trainer, hopefully soon.

Don't forget to check out T-mobile they offer unlimited talk/text/data for $80 a month. I talked to a driver at the yard the other day who had them and said they are pretty decent unless your going extremely rural.

I'm headed there within the hour actually, fortunately I'm able to drive myself there (3ish hour drive).

Can I expect to make more than $250 a week? That is what I currently average at my non-trucking job

Once out of training I would say most likely yes, unless you get hardly no miles. Some companies offer a minimum weekly pay. The company I'm going to once I get out of training and solo they have a minimum pay of 2100 miles @.38cpm.

I was minding my business driving the limit without cruise, but fairly steady at 99 Km/hr, when a flatbed pulled up behind me flashing and tailgating. They were in quite a hurry, but not enough to not bother trying to intimidate me.

Brett; you may not want this here, and if so I understand if you remove it.

Road Rage

I had a similar incident in January of this year when I was working for a cable company. Was going down the road doing about about 63 and a semi came up on my 6 like a bat out of hell and rode my rear bumper about 10ft away and flashing his lights on and off for 1/2 mile before passing me. When he came back into our lane his trailer bumper ended about 5 feet away from my front bumper, I was about a half step away from being livid and following him as he turned into a construction site where they were building a new Road Ranger station. Needless to say I was quite happy how I handled it instead of going to jail that night.

The answer wasn't what I wanted but, oh well, just means some money out of pocket beforehand, it's not the end of the world.

The answer was? They require the medical exam certificate be presented as part of the CDL permit application?

Correct, to have a interstate cdl permit you have to have a DOT physical beforehand. Intrastate you don't, but you cant legally practice without it even then.

Michael wonders:

That's what is confusing, it didn't make any sense as to why they would need it just for the permit, I can understand it when you go to get your actual cdl. But it is Illinois so it doesn't surprise me. I'm going to call them tomorrow and find out what they say.

I don't know about Illinois specifically, but a CDL permit gives you all the rights and privileges of a full CDL holder, save you can't drive without a fully licensed CDL person with you.

So, with all those rights, you need to be physically able to do the job. And that physical card is good for your full CDL, too.

I as well will be interested in Illinois law on this.. Across the river in Missouri and many other States you do NOT need a DOT phyisical to Test for and obtain the permit.

Now if you want to actually drive a CMV using that permit you will need to carry your passed long form with you.

When he calls he needs to specify he is only taking his permit.

The answer wasn't what I wanted but, oh well, just means some money out of pocket beforehand, it's not the end of the world.

Thanks for all of the responses everybody, I will try to get a definite answer from the DMV tomorrow. This just popped into my head, would it be possible to take the written test now and then once I get to the school be able to skip that part, get my DOT physical done by their doctor and then get my permit once that is completed? If not, I'll just try and get a physical done before I leave this weekend.

Let us know the answer when you go to the DMV. I say the answer is like the other states our company has dealt with. No you do not need a medical for just the permit. There is nothing for the state to attach the medical to,you are not a cdl holder and you will not need to self certify at that point anyway.

That's what is confusing, it didn't make any sense as to why they would need it just for the permit, I can understand it when you go to get your actual cdl. But it is Illinois so it doesn't surprise me. I'm going to call them tomorrow and find out what they say.

I was planning on taking the written part and get my cdl permit today, but I was reading on the Illinois website on what I needed to bring. They weren't completely clear about the medical card. I know you need one for you to get your actual cdl, but what about just for the permit?

Since I'm going to Henderson Trucking's school I'll still be in Illinois so I would still have to choose interstate instead of intra right?

Copied this from the Illinois DMV:

You must self-certify your intrastate or interstate medical driving status and if you are declaring as a non-excepted interstate (NI) driver you will need to provide an acceptable medical certificate.

I would not chose "Intrastate", restricts you to only driving in Illinois. "Interstate" is what you want.

The answer is yes to your question, must have your medical card when you apply for the permit.

I assumed that was the case. Thank you for clearing it up.