Can I Learn To Drive?
Topic 119 | Page 1
I dont see any reason why you cant!! Go for it. I swear it looks and sounds alot harder than it really is. You wont ever know if you dont try. *HUGS* and good luck!!
Thanks, Pebbles! I need all the encouragemnt I can get! Does anyone have any information on Central Refrigerated? I first found out about them on this site, which by the way is great and very infomative! Is that a good beginning company to work for?
Kathy, GO FOR IT!!! - Attitude Attitude Attitude and for me personally the words from a close friend of mine Confidence! In the class I was in, driving the school bus really put me ahead of the class. I already knew about pre-trip, just had to add to it but had the base knowledge. I wrote out the pre-trip inspection flash cards from this site and kept going over them. And the driving will come easier for you because you are already used to watching the rear coming around corners, needing space for turns and watching your mirrors. You can do this!
Pre-trip Inspection:
A pre-trip inspection is a thorough inspection of the truck completed before driving for the first time each day.
Federal and state laws require that drivers inspect their vehicles. Federal and state inspectors also may inspect your vehicles. If they judge a vehicle to be unsafe, they will put it “out of service” until it is repaired.
I was gonna go with Central ref, but they couldnt take me couse of no verifiable work history. I I dont remember seeing anything bad about them, and you dont need as much to start school with them.
Hello Kathy and welcome to the forum! You can do this! If the idea of your age is troubling you, don't even give it a second thought, most trucking companies are seeking out drivers that are mature and responsible, and your age falls right into the age group that usually fits that description. Central is a great company and I'm confident you could do very well there, but before you make up your mind do some research of your own about the different types of driving jobs available and see what appeals to your personality. There's a great article here on Trucking Truth about those very things you should check it out. How To Choose A Company
Also there are some great materials here for studying for your exams, so don't forget to check out the High Road Training Program
Keep us posted on how things are going for you, and feel free to ask any questions you 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.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.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.
Kathy...your age has nothing to do with being able to drive truck OTR......CONFIDENCE and ATTITUDE...and a GIT ER DONE mentality. Driving truck is like driving a REALLY big school bus, that bends in the middle. And you won't get the respect of the 4 wheelers that you get in a school bus. They think their kids MAY be on that bus...they KNOW their family isn't in that truck !!! But seriously, there are literally thousands of lady drivers out there. and you can be one of them. Make use of all the learning materials on this site...you will need them. And by going thru The High Road Training Program before you go to any school will put you wayyyyy ahead of all the other students. Hold your head up, learn all you can...ask us ANY questions you have. If its kinda a lady type questions, you can go to the wives and lady trucker forum here. The guys sneak in there, but they know that if they post something snarky in there, I get to get em......and they won't try that a 2nd time, trust me. I'm a lady driver with over 15 years experience. And I know ladies who have been out there from way back in the 60's. Its a little different for the lady drivers, you have to work a little harder to gain the respect of the other drivers, but us ladies have done that all our lives, its nothing new. And as far as your age....I"m 62...and still steerin' and gearin' with the best of them.......... So WELCOME to Trucking Truth...and we're glad to have you here !!!!
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.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
Thanks for all the encouragement! I am very excited about this new chapter in my life! This is something that I want and need to do for me, this site has been so very beneficial for me. I used the training materials to study for my permit, I don't think I could have passed it without those materials! I will visit the links posted above and thanks a bunch! I will check the ladies site, with personal concerns that women may face!
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.New Reply:
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I am a 52 year old female wanting to learn to drive OTR. What are my odds of making it? Does anyone ever fail truck driving school? I am considering Central Refrigerated, they have their own school. The only experience I have had with a large vehicle is that I drove a 74 passanger school bus several years ago. I really need to do this for personal reason. I am nervous, but so very excited at the same time. I have read and studied, I passed my permit test. I took General Knowledge, Combination, and Air Breaks, no other endorsements.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.