Trucking Question

Topic 12633 | Page 1

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Dennis T.'s Comment
member avatar

Are there companies that will hire me with my cdl prior to employment? I have called a few and they won't look at me since I have my cdl but no experience and I have a automatic transmission restriction.

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.
G-Town's Comment
member avatar

Are there companies that will hire me with my cdl prior to employment? I have called a few and they won't look at me since I have my cdl but no experience and I have a automatic transmission restriction.

Welcome Dennis.

I believe the automatic transmission restriction is the real issue blocking them from hiring you. The only way to have the restriction removed is to retake and pass the road skills test in a truck with a manual transmission. Short of doing that I would just apply to as many companies as possible until you find one willing to take you on as a "trainee" with the automatic restriction. To footnote, As time goes on I believe having the automatic restriction on the CDL will become less and less prohibitive as the larger carriers replace older trucks with newer models equipped with an automatic transmission.

This link will help to automate the application process: Apply For Truck Driving Jobs

I would also Google companies in your area that will hire you as a driver trainee regardless of the restriction.

Good luck.

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.
C T.'s Comment
member avatar

Several companies have autos that may consider you. Trans am, us xpress, maverick I think? I'd call around and inquire about a refresher course as well with standard transmissions to get that restriction lifted.

Brett Aquila's Comment
member avatar

WIth the restriction on your license I agree you're going to face some challenges finding work. Not a whole lot of companies have automatic fleets.

Now we have an excellent listing of Truck Driving Jobs and you can even Apply For Truck Driving Jobs With One Application if you'd like to throw a bunch out there at once.

But I'm thinking you might want to have a look at Company-Sponsored Training if you haven't already. You didn't say how long ago you obtained your CDL or how you obtained it but regardless you're going to have to at least go out on the road with a trainer anyhow. So I think this is probably the best time to take whatever training they think you'll need to get that restriction removed. The company-sponsored programs are hoping to get people out on the road as quickly as possible generating revenues so they should be able to move you along fairly rapidly.

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.

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