Practicing.

Hey, I have a friend who is an O/O and was wondering if I would be allowed to practice driving his rig. He said I could but didn't know if it would be wise. Any ideas?

Long as you have at least a CDL Permit, valid medical card, and keep a current log.

O/O or the company he's leased onto - needs to have you on their insurance.

Rick

It probably makes a difference if he runs on "his own authority" or under a company's authority. Different insurance rules and policies

He owns his own rig and has his own insurance. Only way I figured this out is because he asked about riders and they were like we don't have a policy and he said he didn't see an issue as long as they didn't

He owns his own rig and has his own insurance. Only way I figured this out is because he asked about riders and they were like we don't have a policy and he said he didn't see an issue as long as they didn't

I may be misreading this but any company I have heard about that doesn't have a policy means that they aren't allowed. I could easily be wrong and way off on this. Is the truck his and he runs for someone else? Is he buying a truck and runs for the company he is buying from?

He owns his rig and runs for a company. They said they never had someone ask for a rider. He said they could show it as possibly training? From what it sounds like they aren't a good outfit lol

He owns his rig and runs for a company. They said they never had someone ask for a rider. He said they could show it as possibly training? From what it sounds like they aren't a good outfit lol

Lol. :) Yeah That can happen. I'd be careful and get yourself a permit and medical card just to be safe. It would be just the worst luck if you screwed up and ran over a pole or something while driving a commercial vehicle. Better to be safe than sorry. Always.

I was thinking more of driving at his place not out on roads lol

He owns his rig and runs for a company. They said they never had someone ask for a rider. He said they could show it as possibly training? From what it sounds like they aren't a good outfit lol

If he owns his own rig - and runs for a company - then he is covered under the COMPANIES MC#, and the companies $1Mil Trucking Liability Policy.

If he is running bobtail - than he's covered under his own non-trucking liability/PIP/Comp. If he's dragging a box (empty or full), he's under their insurance.

So it looks like this - if you're driving his tractor without a trailer, you're on HIS insurance (and you better be authorized by HIS insurance company). If you're driving with a trailer attached - you're under the company he's leased onto's insurance (and you'd better be authorized by the companies insurance).

If you wreck or hit something and you're not authorized - it's all on your friend. As a newb - do you want to put that kind of risk on your friend?

As far as "rider policies" - the company adds the rider to their insurance for PIP & liability - in case YOU GET INJURED while on his truck. And typically - most companies DO NOT ALLOW for a CDL Licensed person, to be on the truck as just a passenger, as the temptation to allow them behind the wheel (and the risk) is too great.

Not trying to be a buzzkill or anything - this is just how it works in the industry with insurance. The potential liability to companies is so great - that their insurance carrier pretty much dictates who will drive and ride along.

Rick

Justin,...not completely sure why you need to practice, but please listen to my words; "there is no short-cut in learning how to drive a tractor trailer". I urge you to consider Paid CDL Training Programs or if you can afford it Private Truck Driving Schools

If you need help deciding which direction to take:

• Article Category: Choosing A Truck Driving School
• Trucker's Career Guide: Choosing A Truck Driving School
• Forum Topics Tagged "Choosing A Truck Driving School"

Good luck.