Class B Permit Holder/Road Test 11/23
Topic 11420 | Page 1
So a month ago or so i obtained my Class B permit. I have a friend in the expedited trucking industry who urged me to do so, and get on the road with him so he could train me, let me use his truck for my road test and then finally I would be able to start my new career with the company he works for. I was on the road with him for 2.5 weeks and yes i learned to drive, met the owners of the company so that's all legit but now i have no truck to take my test in. That is a major thing for me. I could of went to school like I originally planned to do but he told me that was a waste of money and time. I had to go through some serious hoops to take this road trip such as quit my jobs and sell my car but i was willing to do all that because i was looking at the BIG picture of a new career. So i have been home now since Nov. 5th and at the last minute im told i need to find a truck for my road test. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions? Help!
What type of truck did you learn in (airbrakes, manual trans/automatic, weight class, etc.)? You will need to rent a similar class truck you learned in (Penske, Ideal, or Ryder are possibilities) and then find a current CDL holder to ride with you to take your test. You cannot drive the truck to your test without a current CDL holder riding in the passenger seat. How do you know if you are ready for this test?
Beyond that, considering the broken promises made, how likely is a job going to be offered with the company referred to in your post? Class B limits your opportunities and potentially limits your earning potential. If you can possibly rewind and start fresh, going to a reputable school to obtain your Class A is probably a better option.
The below links will provide additional information:
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.
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
EPU:
Electric Auxiliary Power Units
Electric APUs have started gaining acceptance. These electric APUs use battery packs instead of the diesel engine on traditional APUs as a source of power. The APU's battery pack is charged when the truck is in motion. When the truck is idle, the stored energy in the battery pack is then used to power an air conditioner, heater, and other devices
I learned with automatic transmission/airbrakes and over 26,000 lbs. I do have a class B CDL holder who will accompany me to my test. I am hoping i am ready and my trainer is now telling me to take the test in a Penske 26 footer and that will give me my Class C and then the company can put me in a box truck and at least get me to work. But that is not really what my vision was. Im kinda ****ed.
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.
I learned with automatic transmission/airbrakes and over 26,000 lbs. I do have a class B CDL holder who will accompany me to my test. I am hoping i am ready and my trainer is now telling me to take the test in a Penske 26 footer and that will give me my Class C and then the company can put me in a box truck and at least get me to work. But that is not really what my vision was. Im kinda ****ed.
If you take your test in a truck registered for over 26,000lbs with airbrakes, you will get your class B with an automatic restriction placed on it. Penske has box trucks rated and registered for 33,000lbs GVW. The rental fee is likely the same. Why short change yourself?
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.
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So a month ago or so i obtained my Class B permit. I have a friend in the expedited trucking industry who urged me to do so, and get on the road with him so he could train me, let me use his truck for my road test and then finally I would be able to start my new career with the company he works for. I was on the road with him for 2.5 weeks and yes i learned to drive, met the owners of the company so that's all legit but now i have no truck to take my test in. That is a major thing for me. I could of went to school like I originally planned to do but he told me that was a waste of money and time. I had to go through some serious hoops to take this road trip such as quit my jobs and sell my car but i was willing to do all that because i was looking at the BIG picture of a new career. So i have been home now since Nov. 5th and at the last minute im told i need to find a truck for my road test. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions? Help!