Profile For Paul Sol

Am I dreaming if I require M-F home nightly, in the nyc area for a newly licensed 55+ Male Class A Driver? My employer managed to start the ball rolling on my desire for a CDL-A after 5 years of procrastination, but now "they" are the ones that are telling me maybe I shouldn't have done that and that I should be happy just being a dockworker, especially given all the overtime, currently. I'd really, really, like to stay with my employer, my co-workers, the general environment - I've been a dock worker for 10 years for this company, but I"m not getting any younger and I was older when I started working here. If my company backs out of a verbal agreement to hire me on as a driver and put me into their driver training program ( my company currently is having really bad labor problems for warehouse workers such as myself, on all 3 shifts), I may have to look for alternatives, if there are any. Are there any?

I am in Central NJ, newly licensed Class A, looking for M-F, weekends optional, home nightly, or very close to that. Any additional endorsement I do not have already, I will obtain as required. I will willingly work up to the max of the book for weekly logged in hours.

I do appreciate the replies thanks, they made me pause, I am probably going with the paved training yard at a training co. that's been around for decades, they are very flexible. Several CDL "schools" in my area use single axle trailers that seem 40ft (at best) or less, I presume that makes parking maneuvers easier for newbies, is this true or does DMV make adjustments on backing skills testing proportional to the trailer you bring to the test?

Also I've come across most places that are "certain" the FMCSA requires 160 hours now, but a couple who agree with me which is contrary, which works for me because I cannot find that much time even though I wish I could.

Thanks

I work and just do not have the time to go to a full CDL school course, I don't have 4 or more weeks off so I find myself limited to the smaller mom/pop training places that charge by the hour, some of which are on Gravel lots. In preparing for the CDL State range/road test, is there any difference practicing backing on a gravel lot as opposed to a paved lot? When weighing the pros & cons of training in my area, I find myself worried that a better instructor on a pot-holey gravel lot may not be any better than an average instructor on a paved lot, or how does it even matter?

Any thoughts?

Regarding preparing for the CDL State range/road test, is there any difference practicing backing on a gravel lot as opposed to a paved lot? When weighing the pros & cons of training in my area, I find myself worried that a better instructor on a pot-holey gravel lot may not be any better than an average instructor on a properly coned, paved lot.

Any thoughts?

I been dragging my feet on this for years but a buddy has been ribbing me "your not gonna live forever" (55). My employer says yeah sure get a CDL we'll put you in a truck, soooo, finally moving in that direction. Picked a school, got the rundown from them, probably faster if I bring a CLP. No big deal. DOT physical, is it pretty easy basically no & eyes are where they need to be & reasonably able? Also, I see in the high road training for the written, it is all broken into groups of "cdl permit" "cdl license" & info "good to know on the job". It's great training btw but is the CLP written ONLY have the basics or might they slip some things in that is only pertinent to one endorsement or another? Because if I could focus only on the "permit" sections I could go for the permit soon, & work on the rest of it later. So glad I'm finally gonna try this for real.

Hi,

So I'm ready to take the plunge after dragging my feet on this subject for maybe years. In NJ here, I'm approaching what many normal people consider to be retirement years, but do to poor decisions earlier in life I will most likely work until the day i die. However, dock work is getting harder & harder w/each passing year, and there is certainly an income limit there. I am hoping to move over to driving so as to extend my working years and also as an income boost. I have a horrible driver history waaaay back. 1st dui 34 years ago, 2nd 32 years ago, 3rd 26 years ago. Crystal clear since. Following some links off TruckingTruth as well as google it appears to me that the state will NOT block me from obtaining a cdl, nor any endorsement. My company has said that yes if i get trained/acquire the cdl, i can drive for them; they may even reimburse after a year of safe driving.

My question, will anyone else hire me, or is the 3 time offender a literal curse regardless of being 25 years ago or more?

Anyone?

Foggs