Comments By Fire-Man

Little Carolina -

Here is what I found. Hope it helps.

http://www.scdmvonline.com/DMVNew/default.aspx?n=commercial_driver_licenses

After establishing residency in South Carolina, you must apply to transfer your CDL license within 30 days.

When you apply for a commercial driver's license, SCDMV will run automatic checks against the Problem Driver Pointer System (PDPS) and the Commercial Driver License Information System (CDLIS) databases to check your prior driving history in other states. The checks are performed when a customer applies for an original credential, renews a credential, is reexamined or moves from a beginner permit to a license. They are designed to insure drivers have only one valid license at a time.

You will be required to surrender your out-of-state license before a South Carolina commercial driver's license can be issued.

To transfer a CDL from another state to South Carolina, the following are required: 1.You must be 21 years of age for interstate driving.

2.Certify that you have read and understand, and meet the qualification requirements under 49 CFR, Part 391 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.

3.Complete Form DL-405A to self-certify the type of commerce for which you intend to operate. You must also provide a valid medical certification for any type of commerce that requires it. (See Frequently Asked Questions regarding form DL-405A.) SCDMV will collect the driver’s certification information and add it to the national Commercial Driver License Information System (CDLIS) record. All commercial driver’s license and beginner permit holders must self-certify by January 30, 2014 or risk losing his or her driving privilege to operate a commercial motor vehicle. Commercial driver’s license and beginner permit holders must comply each time they apply for a new credential, renew or upgrade their credential

4.If required, show your valid DOT long form or valid DOT medical pocket card to meet the requirement of providing proof that you are medically qualified pursuant to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation 49 CFR, part 391. South Carolina requires that you maintain a valid medical Examiner's Certificate to obtain and/or retain a commercial driver instruction permit or commercial driver's license. DMV will not accept a medical certificate if it expires within 30 days from the date it is presented.

5.Provide proof of identity using Accepted Forms of Identification.

6.Complete Form 447-CDL, Application for a Commercial Driver's License or Beginner's Permit (there is a $15.00 application fee).

7.Complete Form DL-402 Affidavit of Previous Driver's License and provide information regarding any previous out-of-state drivers' licenses and disqualifying offenses. 8.Pass a vision test.

9.Surrender the actual commercial driver's license you have in your possession at the time you apply.

10.Applicants with hazardous materials (Hazmat) endorsement must also pass the hazardous materials knowledge test to maintain the endorsement (each knowledge test is $2.00) and complete TSA fingerprinting and background check ($75.50 fee)..

11.Pay the $12.50 license fee.

12.Provide Automobile liability insurance information (SC Code Section 56-1-80(C). Insurance company must be licensed to do business in the state of South Carolina.

Note that Section 23-3-460 of the SC Code of Laws states that a person who has been convicted anywhere of an offense listed in 23-3-430 must register with the county sheriff within 10 days of establishing residency in South Carolina. A copy of the Sex Offender Registry Law is available upon request.

BTW - if your situation is unique; after working through the issues it would be nice to hear that and the remedy in case someone else falls into the same situation.

Regards

A number of times I've heard of drivers having medical issues while going down the road and they wind up being very disoriented and such - bad reactions to medications, diabetic episodes - things like that. It's definitely a good possibility here.

Well said Brett; we don't know everything going on it that truck. Its easy to believe the worst but that is not always the case. I actually pulled a driver from the cab who was a diabetic. His blood sugar was all outa whack and as such his driving resembled that of a drunk according to witnesses. Thankfully everything for this driver and others around him turned out for the good as he was able to get the rig safely pulled over and stopped.

You have to watch though - pulling off and stopping might be ten times as dangerous as continuing on slowly. I've never once pulled off onto the shoulder because of fog, but I've gone 10 mph at times because of it. You'll want to exit off the highway if it's that bad, but don't stop on the shoulder if you can help it.

LOUDLY AND CLEARLY - I hope I have your attention. Unless there is absolutely no other viable option NEVER pull off onto the shoulder of a highway. Drivers, 4 wheel and otherwise, do not give enough; are too preoccupied; are in too much of a hurry; will be distracted by your vehicle sitting over there; or just plain do not give a damn. It is not worth it...as a firefighter I see it close up and believe me when I tell you working on the highway when we cannot shut it completely down is the most dangerous incident we work.

IMHO, it is best to slow down, get right, exit at next ramp, and find some place safe to park it. Anything else is asking for a wreck and if you are in a wreck as the result of driving in these extremely poor and limited conditions I do believe they should be "at fault" unless of course you are the one being hit.

So take advantage of the time and resources you have available. Keep practicing, keep learning, and stay positive. You'll be out there before you know it.

Well said Brett!

Little Carolina,

Attitude, attitude, and did I say attitude? Everything else; how people respond to you, how you react to them, and the results are always influenced by your own attitude. Stay positive, stay focused, take advantage of the fact you have some time on your hands to learn before being confronted with it out on the road.

Hang in there and good luck.

Fire-Man

Slip seat - YES, you're sharing the truck with someone else. I'll have to commute from my house to a drop yard where there are others who are also on the 7/7. Not sure how far/close you need to be to a drop yard or terminal for this to work. There is also a 7/4,7/3 option. What I have been running is National and it was 11/3 or around that. Of course, at each of these levels there will be more cash that can be made so a person need to think about that. Being on the 7/7 I'm thinking right now that I'll be at the bottom of what a person can make. However, for me the trade off is worth it because of my family.

Average miles for the 7days is 3000. What the Fleet manager/dispatch is going to be doing is keeping you running hard for 7days and working hard to burn up ever bit of your 70hrs. A person has to be ok with putting in long days and driving long miles.

First the question which is being begged to be asked along the line of guyjax was referring to. What is the pay per mile or what can you expect to average for your week of driving to the limit? How do your benefits with the company change? i.e. do you pay more for insurance/s? Longevity raises etc…

Also:

Maintenance - 1) being in an organization where equipment is shared I know the issues involved i.e. there being a bit less ownership for the truck therefore it is rarely in the condition that a single operator truck would be; 2) are there back-up rigs in case of serious shop time or do you just suck it up if its your week; 3) are they smoke free; 4)how is clean out handled; ....

Coming on duty are there any specific limitations, other than those for any driver, on activities? i.e. must have x number of hours of sleep; cannot be employed elsewhere within so many hours of going on duty?

As always thanks for the information and keep it coming...

Fire-Man

Hey, that's a fantastic update Steve and congrats on getting into the 7/7 fleet!

One of the reasons I chose the company I chose is to eventually switch my home time option or get something local after putting in the time needed (1yr - right Brett?)

That's right! Sounds like you've paid your dues and now you'll be getting home a lot more often.

What are the terms and expectations for the 7/7 fleet? Slip seating I would presume. Do you have to live near a terminal to qualify for that fleet? What are the average weekly mileage expectations?

Steve, the more details you can provide on your home time option would certainly be appreciated by myself and the wider audience I am certain. Thanks for the post and the opportunity to gain valuable information from your experiences.

Randy

aka Fire-Man

Same here, everytime I go into Texas it's always trouble. It's so hot over there one time my mudflap melted onto my drive tires and popped it. : D my first trucker story :))

You sure that wasn't your rendition of the Texas Two-step?

Every time I go to Texas, something seems to go wrong.

Sometimes its the state of mind not the State. Just saying!

Brett,

Thanks for your website; it’s very down to earth, insightful, entertaining, and very informative. You aught to be receiving a consulting fee, from the motor carriers, for drumming up the profession for them. Your dedication to the profession is as refreshing as it is apparent.

Though I have plenty of practical experience I have not had to deal with FMCSA because my time flat-bedding was all in the military. So I have a question regarding HOS as I am looking to move into the cab before to long.

How are your hours counted while at the shipper/receiver? Reading the following I take it that while at the shipper/receiver your hours are counted on-duty. Others on another forum disagree. Can you help me out or point me in the right direction please?

On-duty time means all time from the time a driver begins to work or is required to be in readiness to work until the time the driver is relieved from work and all responsibility for performing work.

Excerpt from:

Hours of service of drivers

§ 395.2Definitions.

On-duty time shall include:

(1) All time at a plant, terminal, facility, or other property of a motor carrier or shipper, or on any public property, waiting to be dispatched, unless the driver has been relieved from duty by the motor carrier;

(2) All time inspecting, servicing, or conditioning any commercial motor vehicle at any time;

(3) All driving time as defined in the term driving time;

(4) All time in or on a commercial motor vehicle, other than:

(i) Time spent resting in or on a parked vehicle, except as otherwise provided in §397.5 of this subchapter;

(ii) Time spent resting in a sleeper berth; or

(iii) Up to 2 hours riding in the passenger seat of a property-carrying vehicle moving on the highway immediately before or after a period of at least 8 consecutive hours in the sleeper berth;

(5) All time loading or unloading a commercial motor vehicle, supervising, or assisting in the loading or unloading, attending a commercial motor vehicle being loaded or unloaded, remaining in readiness to operate the commercial motor vehicle, or in giving or receiving receipts for shipments loaded or unloaded;

(6) All time repairing, obtaining assistance, or remaining in attendance upon a disabled commercial motor vehicle;

(7) All time spent providing a breath sample or urine specimen, including travel time to and from the collection site, to comply with the random, reasonable suspicion, post-crash, or follow-up testing required by part 382 of this subchapter when directed by a motor carrier;

(8) Performing any other work in the capacity, employ, or service of, a motor carrier; and

(9) Performing any compensated work for a person who is not a motor carrier.