Looking To Drive In The U.S.
Topic 14979 | Page 1
Hello Prosper! It's going to be a difficult task to become a truck driver in the U.S., but it can be done. First look into whether you qualify for a green card to become a lawful permanent resident. Look at this resource to determine if you are eligible: DHS Green Card Eligibility.
If you are not eligible to apply for a green card through family or refugee status, you'll have to try to get a green card through the diversity immigrant visa program, usually known as the "green card lottery". Learn more about this program here: Diversity Visa.
Once you obtain a green card, you can lawfully immigrate to the U.S. and begin working. However, many states (and almost all trucking companies) will require you to hold a regular Class C driver's license for one year before you can apply for a CDL. Unfortunately, your Zimbabwe license will not be valid here. You can try to find employment at a warehouse or other trucking-related business until you can get your CDL.
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.
Thank you C.S.there are some companies in the US like Forwarding Air and Melton truck lines who were responding to my applications requesting me to call them to start my interview process.
Forwarding Air and Melton truck lines who were responding to my applications requesting me to call them to start my interview process
Are they aware you are not already a permanent lawful resident or citizen? I ask because as far as I am aware, employers in the trucking industry cannot sponsor green cards for drivers. The reason is that in order to sponsor a worker from abroad, the employer must prove that the job opening in question cannot be filled by a worker from the United States. Maybe something has changed recently.
I am not sure if they are aware of that.
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Good evening guys I am a Zimbabwean aged 36 and I hold both valid Zimbabwean driver license class 2 and South African Code 14 valid passport and work permit.i have 14 years experience in truck driving and 6 years transporting dangerous goods such as Petrol diesel.etc I am looking for a job in USA.i have been applying for jobs in America.kindly assist if you know about any staffing agents for foreign truck drivers in South Africa.