Profile For David D.

It depends on the division you plan to drive for. My codriver was a flatbed trainer for them. Pretty standard DOT physical, but if going flatbed, you also have to lift and hold a 120 lb. tarp above your head for 10 seconds and demonstrate that you can throw a rolled up chain over a load and secure it. Im sure a current driver could offer more details.

Thanks!! What if you're not doing flat bed? Do you still have to pass the physical flat bed tests? I'd love any current drivers to give me some info. Any info you can give me on that is also appreciated!

David, Averitt is my company's primary carrier...when I get back to work on Monday I will ask one of their drivers what it consists of and get back to you on it.

Thank you so much. I really appreciate it!

Yes, welcome to the forum David.

When I attended CDL school through Swift (Richmond VA), there was a student with a very similar story to yours. He had some experience, but not enough to justify only a refresher course. He was required to attend school, with a valid CDL. It was clear very early on that he knew how to handle a truck. Basically what happened with him is he tested out a week and a half earlier than the rest of us and he was placed with a mentor for an abbreviated version of the standard (at that time) 160 hours of Road Training. In the end he was assigned his truck and dispatched solo in no more than a month's time.

There is a ton of information in the TT site that can assist you with your decisions:

Trucking Company Reviews

Truck Driver's Career Guide

• Trucker's Career Guide: Choosing Your First Truck Driving Job
• Article Category: Finding The Right Truck Driving Job
• Forum Topics Tagged "Choosing A Trucking Company"

Lots of reading, hope it helps. Good luck!

Awesome information!! Thank you! Do you or your friend have any info you can give me on Swift physical and agility stuff? I would greatly appreciate it.

Agreeing with G-TOWN.

I've held my CDL for 7 years now. Not much OTR experience at all.

I would have ZERO ISSUES doing the entire course (and contractual obligation) with a company. Just don't want to have to downgrade my CDL (that I've kept current with medical card, etc.) because I have a passenger endorsement also - and don't want to have to pay $300+ again (for the road test) to put that back onto a new license.

CDL schools are not TRUCKING SCHOOLS - they are simply the minimum requirements (though some schools are better than others) to pass a road test and get your CDL.

Company Schools (after the first phase where applicants get their CDL's) are "finishing schools" where you learn how to operate safely, routing, logging efficiently/effectively (even though everyone is E-Logs now), how to use Qualcomms (or whatever gear your particular company uses), how to deal with shippers/receivers.

For better or worse, there's a LOT MORE TO TRUCKING than JUST DRIVING THE TRUCK.

Where did you get your "5 weeks of experience"? Did you leave under good terms? Did you leave OWING THEM ANYTHING (contractual obligations)? Can you GO BACK? Would you WANT TO GO BACK?

Basically - due to your lack of experience, and the "staleness" of your schooling (as most companies want you within 60 days of graduating a 3rd party school), you may have to start from scratch - minus the DMV stuff (since you already hold a Class A CDL).

Best of luck - keep us posted...

Rick

The company I worked for was a local company. A new owner took over and laid off the most recent hires. Five of us I think. He wanted to downsize for whatever reason. I don't owe the company any money. Nothing like that.

I am looking at Averitt and Swift. Averitt told me I need a 40 hour refresher course from the school I graduated (one on their "approved" list) from before they could train me. Possibly an option. I really really need some info on their physical and agility stuff if ANYONE could tell me anything. I'm in AL and they would have me home more than Swift, which is important to me. I'm not out here to make a ton of money - just enough to pay the bills, which aren't terrible. My home and vehicles are paid for. I am a bigger guy, so I am really interested in the physical requirements for Swift and Averitt. Please anyone who can shed light in this area, speak up. I've looked at other posts and logs from other's time at both these companies but would love more info. I don't mind going through training and basically starting over. I understand and want the training. I just don't want to ship off to an orientation or training situation that I know won't work out.

Please please any help would be appreciated.

I myself went to Averitt orientation from 11/30-12/3. I thought it was a well planned process, and everyone seemed very nice and helpful. Unfortunately, I did not pass their physical. Good luck to you, and congratulations. Be safe.

Can you please tell me what their physical consisted of? Any info is appreciated.

I really need to know what Averitt requires during their physical exams. I know you lift crates with weights, but that's all I know. Do you have to do any climbing or stepping? I'm a bigger guy so I am looking for any advice or first hand account of people going through their physical/agility stuff. I also know to expect the sleep apnea test and possibility of being given a machine. What requirements come with that? Any and all help and first hand accounts are greatly appreciated!

Hi. I am new to this website and forum. I hope this is being posted in the correct place. So much of the information I have found here has been informative and eye-opening. I have seen many others post here and get great advice. I am hoping I can get some of the same.

I already have a Class A CDL from a trucking school located in my hometown but only 5 weeks experience and have been out of trucking for a few months. I now am able to get back into trucking. With already having my CDL, but not having (what seems to the standard) 3 months minimum of experience required for a lot of company refresher courses - what are my options? Can anyone provide any advice or recommendations on how I reenter trucking with this type of situation?

I know and have researched many companies that offer their own CDL programs and refresher courses, but does anyone know of a company that would take me with my CDL and limited experience/what training or schooling I would be expected to do?