New Driver Needing Some Advice.

Topic 10874 | Page 1

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Michael O.'s Comment
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I'm 22 years old and been around trucks my entire life. I went to truck drivin school and got my Class A CDLs in June of this year. Due to financial and among other issues at the time I was unable to go off to work. Now that I have everything straightened out and ready to go. No one will hire me due to technically not being a "recent graduate" anymore. Any help on companies that may work around this issue would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,

CDL:

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:

  • Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
  • Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
NIGHT PROWLER's Comment
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most companys will give you a refresher course. Try Millis, Tyson, swift, Schneider...Good luck

Steve L.'s Comment
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Maybe the school you graduated from would let you do a refresher & give you an updated certificate. Can't hurt to ask.

Scott O.'s Comment
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You are going to need a refresher course sucks I know but it is what it is. Check this link cuz most of the companies offer refresher courses for little to no money upfront... Company-Sponsored Training ... Just call them and see which one fits best for you....

You can always try craigslist for small mom and pop companies or o/os but I'd go with the bigger companies for the perks they have....

CDL:

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:

  • Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
  • Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.

Company-sponsored Training:

A Company-Sponsored Training Program is a school that is owned and operated by a trucking company.

The schooling often requires little or no money up front. Instead of paying up-front tuition you will sign an agreement to work for the company for a specified amount of time after graduation, usually around a year, at a slightly lower rate of pay in order to pay for the training.

If you choose to quit working for the company before your year is up, they will normally require you to pay back a prorated amount of money for the schooling. The amount you pay back will be comparable to what you would have paid if you went to an independently owned school.

Company-sponsored training can be an excellent way to get your career underway if you can't afford the tuition up front for private schooling.

Michael O.'s Comment
member avatar

Most of the companies I have talked you haven't even mentioned a refresher course. As bad as it seems looks like I'm gonna have to do that. Gonna be on the phone tomorrow with some more trying to figure it out. Thanks for all the input guys!

Kalin G.'s Comment
member avatar

There are many Eastern European companies, that can hire you without refresher course. Why in fact you need refresher course?? The driving is not rocket science, and you can not forget how to drive, once you learn it...

Scott O.'s Comment
member avatar

There are many Eastern European companies, that can hire you without refresher course. Why in fact you need refresher course?? The driving is not rocket science, and you can not forget how to drive, once you learn it...

You might not forget how to point the truck and move it but your shifting is rusty and DOT regs change all the time .... Refresher course does what the name says...

DOT:

Department Of Transportation

A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.

State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.

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