Starting My CDL Training With Route 66, How Long Before I Can Start Driving?
Topic 1171 | Page 1
Hey Lesa, welcome to the forum and hope all is going well. From RN to a truck driver, that's a real change of directions. What got you interested in truck driving? I'm sure you have already considered the hometime you will have a truck driver will be drastically different than what your used to now or what you would have had as a RN. From what I have learned that is a major contributing factor to the high turn over in the trucking industry. So with all of that considered, congratulations on your career move and we are here to help with your journey.
There is an AWESOME CDL preparation training course here on Trucking Truth. Several of our members who have already passed their CDL have used it and said it made a huge difference not only with passing their CDL but also with the classroom time at school. The training course covers everything on the CDL test and a lot of things not on the test but will need to know to operate that truck. There are also many blogs from many of the drivers on here, and an online book written by the site owner that gives you a rather clear idea of what being a truck driver is all about and how you need to prepare yourself for the difference in lifestyle. Spend some time and check them all out, it is all interesting and some funny reading, no dry boring stuff in there.
Once you have passed the CDL test and your done with school, there is also a great list of companies that hire new CDL graduates, no experience needed. Its a good idea to start applying with them before your done with school so that you can get as many pre-hire letters as possible increasing your possible employment opportunities and getting the truck company that is best for you.
We will be looking forward to hearing about your progress through school, and there are plenty of experienced drivers on here (male and female) who can answer any question about truck driving that you can likely come up with.
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.
Pre-hire:
What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?
Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.
We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.
A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment
The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.
During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.
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I've got my funding and will start CDL classes in a week or two. I went from a year of RN school to trucking because in RN scool you have to wait 2 years to make an income. I've got to make a living and can't wait for another year. I've read about the life style and I've been a single mom for 15 years so I know that I can do it and love it as well. Appreciate any comments
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles: