First Year
Topic 1456 | Page 1
Doug, it's great to hear from you, glad to know things are rolling along well for you! Wow, it's hard to believe that first year has already flown by. Congratulations!
CONGRATULATIONS DOUG !!!! I always worry about the rookies that go solo right into the winter....But you musta figured out that slower is better !!! You've proved yourself with 12 months of rollin' down the white line. Here's hopin' that you find a home with a company you like well enough to stay for a long time.
Congrats for sure!
Ya know, when people get their CDL license it's one of the most exciting times because you feel like you've really accomplished something - and you have! But of course you quickly realize when you get out on the road with a trainer that you haven't learned anything yet.
Then when you're with a trainer you get sick of teaming with someone and you're ready to go solo. Unfortunately it doesn't take long to realize that you really wish you still had your trainer around sometimes - there's a lot more to learn!
But reaching the goal of one year of over the road driving - that's when you know you belong. That's when you know you've accomplished something big.
That first year is brutal. There are a lot of ups and downs and it's an incredible challenge for everyone. But as you get better at it trucking becomes a lot easier and a lot more fun. Glad to see you pushed through and you've gotten your career off to a great start! Congrats!
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.
Over The Road:
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.
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Wow. I am approaching the end of my first year as a driver. Oct. 22 is a year with a company an Dec. 6 will be my official firsy year as solo. What an interesting and exciting time I have had.
Been across the country from Cali. to Georgia an from Texas to North Dakota. I have for the most part enjoyed every mile I have driven.
I am looking forward to finding out what othrr opportunties await me as I do plan on doing this or some time. I guess the best advice I can give is just about the same you will get from others here with more experience than I have. Just be patient and safe. Roll with the punches and don't let it get to you.
There is good and bad in anything that a person chooses to do. The long hours inthis just seem to make things seem worse. They aren't. Just keep moving forward and always remeber to have fun no matter what.
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.