Got My CDL Permit
Topic 12107 | Page 1
Need more info from you to help. I recently got mine as well and I'm attending a local technical college to get my cdl. It was nearly free with my state grant applied(Georgia). It all depends on your situation and how soon you want to get started. I can't really say who go avoid as I don't drive yet.
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.
Mr Mike, you make plans for My Whitney, but you don't have a trucking job lined up?
Assuming that's the case, get reading:
Trucking Companies
How To Choose A Company
Understanding Pre-Hires
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.
Pre-hires:
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.
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.
Mr Mike, you make plans for My Whitney, but you don't have a trucking job lined up?
Assuming that's the case, get reading:
Trucking Companies
How To Choose A Company
Understanding Pre-Hires
Well I try to live a full life, and I haven't quit my current job either. When I do initiate the career change my monthly income may drop a little at first, but I'll be doing something I'm probably more suited to. Don't laugh, but I went from construction, and an equipment operator, college to an outreach worker for a non-profit org. Operating a truck is what I want to do for myself, and Mt. Whitney is something I may, or may not do. I'm 57 and know that with a career in trucking there won't be much if any time to go to a gym.
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.
Pre-hires:
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.
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.
Congrats bud! I just got my CDL 2 weeks ago. I attended TDI in Christiana TN. They have schools all over the place. But I am honestly so glad that I did not go to company sponsored training. I financed my student loan and am not contracted or obligated to drive for a certain company. I have my orientation with Averitt the 4th. You can drive for whoever you choose. They have tons of recruiters come through the school's personally to give you there spill. Coming from a youngster, probably the best decision I've ever made. Good Luck to you whatever you choose. Apply to every company possible. Lol. It helps. Trust me.
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.
Well I start a Swift on the 19th.
Can drive from my home the 21 miles to school.
Swift does not pay for the 3 weeks of class training though, so I guess I'm lucky to be only switching careers, and have 2 weeks to prepare.
Congrats man, I'm sure Errol and gtown have plenty info for you.
Where are you going to school? I'm at the Memphis terminal mostly on Mondays.
Here's a link to my school diary: Swift Academy - Memphis. This was a year ago December. I was at the Millington location, but they moved into town, next door to the terminal.
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
Well now that I got the permit where should I go, and what should I avoid?
Well now that I got the permit where should I go, and what should I avoid?
I've been on the road solo now for about 3 weeks.
After being in the classroom I thought it was going to be smooth sailing, but I advise newbies that going with a mentor is tough, and even "IF" you think their not being fair. They are. You have to drive the first 50 hours yourself. Then you run as a team. Listen to the mentors, even if they don't explain "why" there is a reason. Remember it's their truck, not yours. I had to spend some down time in the truck stops watching TV all day because my mentor wanted to relax and have some personal time. Now I have a 2016 Freightliner all to myself. The. First day solo will also test your metal. It's hell day. At truck stops don't worry what people think. Some will shake their heads and others will happily help and share advice. When you get frazzled relax and rely on what you already and were taught. My motto is Drive it like ya stole it.
Thanks for the update Mike! Just curious... When your trainer was taking "personal time" do you mean a few hours off duty or home-time?
Don't you stay @ a motel or something when they take home time?
New Reply:
New! Check out our help videos for a better understanding of our forum features
Preview:
Why Join Trucking Truth?
- The High Road Training Program
- The High Road Article Series
- The Friendliest Trucker's Forum Ever!
- Email Updates When New Articles Are Posted
Apply For Paid CDL Training Through TruckingTruth
Did you know you can fill out one quick form here on TruckingTruth and apply to several companies at once for paid CDL training? Seriously! The application only takes one minute. You will speak with recruiters today. There is no obligation whatsoever. Learn more and apply here:
TT On Facebook
Well now that I got the permit where should I go, and what should I avoid?