New Career New Life
Topic 11655 | Page 1
Good day drivers ~ I'm also in school. Started my 3rd week on Monday. Have my road test scheduled for Friday, Jan. 15th. I know the time is going to go fast so I'm hunkering down studying and doing my behind-the-wheel time. If you're into social media at all - Women in Trucking has a Facebook group, and I have found a resource of useful information in there and yes there are other women in the group that are just starting out like me. Have a wonderful day and be safe out there.
Good luck Velma and all other lady truckers! Velma I'm 5'3" and will be 59 on December 19. If I can do it you can to. I love it. I drive in the national dry van fleet. As far as down shifting when you take it out of gear give it just alittle gas to raise your RPMs and it goes right into your next gear. Hope that info helps you out. Take care and good luck. :)
Dry Van:
A trailer or truck that that requires no special attention, such as refrigeration, that hauls regular palletted, boxed, or floor-loaded freight. The most common type of trailer in trucking.
Hey:) So happyyy to see you gals doin well!! I'm a little over 5' (maybe 5'1?..not sure,:).cuz height has been mentioned at times-does it effect you too much bein a tad petite?? :) and I'm JUST checking into a school.....NO idea what I'm gonna do but have seen MANY women drivers lately!! Very excited,,,nervous about shifting/learning a stick..School I'm checking out seems cool..I got a good vibe when I finally decided to check them out..I am quite an optimist and some have tried to discourage me but I wonder about their motives..Good luck in all you do!!
KaSandra
**think I put this on the general forum too and get input..I will take whatever I can get as far as guidance!!..oh, the FB Women in Trucking group IS great..had someone message me who was very encouraging from that group:) 
I'm a 31 year old 5'2 female in school for trucking. It's my third week in school and I love it I'm a little small behind the dash, but I'm already on the road with a 53 footer. I'm trying my best to change my life and become better at what I do. My downshifting is not great but I'm sweating everyday to get that right. Good luck to anyone on the road already doing this. I'm very proud of all the women who have said yes I can do this
Hello, I'm 26 and about to leave for CDL school on the 3rd of January. I'm a contract student with CRST. I have never drove a manual transmission in my life lol. I was hoping I could get some information from you on how it went for you? I'm a little nervous. I'm a mom of a 1 year old and 2 year old, and while my husband taught me to drive in his F250 Superduty long bed I'm still a little nervous about learning the big truck lol.
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.
Good luck Velma and all other lady truckers! Velma I'm 5'3" and will be 59 on December 19. If I can do it you can to. I love it. I drive in the national dry van fleet. As far as down shifting when you take it out of gear give it just alittle gas to raise your RPMs and it goes right into your next gear. Hope that info helps you out. Take care and good luck. :)
I am 50 and looking to attend trucking school in the Spring,2016, this posting was especially encouraging to me because of my age and starting a new career, thank you Velma
Dry Van:
A trailer or truck that that requires no special attention, such as refrigeration, that hauls regular palletted, boxed, or floor-loaded freight. The most common type of trailer in trucking.
Hello I just started learning to be a truck driver on my own. Is it better ro fo to school, company or get my license myself and apply for a job to get the driving experience?
I think getting the license on your own would be a pretty difficult thing to do. To be able to pass your driving test you are going to need lots of practice backing and driving. What truck would you practice in? Where? Who do you know with a CDL A that has the patience and time to teach you?
Company sponsored training and technical schools both have their pros and cons. It just depends on your situation.
If you choose to go to a school, you will have to have the funds available to pay that tuition up front and a lot of people don't have that. A pro for going to a technical school though is you will likely have more training time and more options for what company to get a job at.
With company sponsored training you don't have to have the money to pay for school, and some will even pay you while you are learning, but the con is that you will be required to sign a contract with that company for a certain number of miles or length of time. Not all companies offer CDL training, so your options will be a little more limited.
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.
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I'm a 31 year old 5'2 female in school for trucking. It's my third week in school and I love it I'm a little small behind the dash, but I'm already on the road with a 53 footer. I'm trying my best to change my life and become better at what I do. My downshifting is not great but I'm sweating everyday to get that right. Good luck to anyone on the road already doing this. I'm very proud of all the women who have said yes I can do this