Part-time To Full-time Trucker?
Topic 15279 | Page 1
I had written up some information about what companies are very likely to look for. I just deleted it all and will leave you with this instead, as I believe it is much more valuable information for your situation.
Get out there and spend your free time applying. Don't sit around thinking about it or posing "what if" hypotheticals. The only people who can tell you for sure if you are qualified and hirable are the companies that can give you the job you want. Go ask them.
Darren, that is actually a tough question to answer. Most companies will want a good solid year of recent over the road experience.
It may very well depend on your location, and how many LTL opportunities there are available to you. If there is a strong demand for those types of drivers in your locale you could possibly land a job fairly easily.
As a general rule, transitioning into a full time position for a person in your situation will probably require a refresher course in most cases. Many of the Major Carriers would be glad to have you after completing a refresher, and some of them offer it as a means to get started with them.
LTL:
Less Than Truckload
Refers to carriers that make a lot of smaller pickups and deliveries for multiple customers as opposed to hauling one big load of freight for one customer. This type of hauling is normally done by companies with terminals scattered throughout the country where freight is sorted before being moved on to its destination.
LTL carriers include:
- FedEx Freight
- Con-way
- YRC Freight
- UPS
- Old Dominion
- Estes
- Yellow-Roadway
- ABF Freight
- R+L Carrier
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.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
I had written up some information about what companies are very likely to look for. I just deleted it all and will leave you with this instead, as I believe it is much more valuable information for your situation.
Get out there and spend your free time applying. Don't sit around thinking about it or posing "what if" hypotheticals. The only people who can tell you for sure if you are qualified and hirable are the companies that can give you the job you want. Go ask them.
Thanks for responding so quickly. Yeah, I'll have to get a hold of some companies.
Darren, that is actually a tough question to answer. Most companies will want a good solid year of recent over the road experience.
It may very well depend on your location, and how many LTL opportunities there are available to you. If there is a strong demand for those types of drivers in your locale you could possibly land a job fairly easily.
As a general rule, transitioning into a full time position for a person in your situation will probably require a refresher course in most cases. Many of the Major Carriers would be glad to have you after completing a refresher, and some of them offer it as a means to get started with them.
I appreciate the help. The school I went to actually offers a free refresher for life so I plan on doing that as well. Your years of experience along with a lot of other drivers on this site is exactly why I joined, thanks so much.
LTL:
Less Than Truckload
Refers to carriers that make a lot of smaller pickups and deliveries for multiple customers as opposed to hauling one big load of freight for one customer. This type of hauling is normally done by companies with terminals scattered throughout the country where freight is sorted before being moved on to its destination.
LTL carriers include:
- FedEx Freight
- Con-way
- YRC Freight
- UPS
- Old Dominion
- Estes
- Yellow-Roadway
- ABF Freight
- R+L Carrier
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.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.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
I have had my cdl since 2013 and have only drove probably about 1 year total during that time. I work for the state of ohio and only get to drive on rare occasions. I have pulled coal buckets hauling grain, flatbeds hauling hay, hopper trailers hauling grain and a detach trailer hauling tractors and dozers. My department is closing and I might have to rely on my cdl to get another job and was looking at Ltl companies to be home more and wondered if I had enough experience to get one of those jobs. I have my class a and tanker endorsement but I plan on getting my haz mats and double and triple endorsements soon. I would appreciate any advice anyone has for me.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
LTL:
Less Than Truckload
Refers to carriers that make a lot of smaller pickups and deliveries for multiple customers as opposed to hauling one big load of freight for one customer. This type of hauling is normally done by companies with terminals scattered throughout the country where freight is sorted before being moved on to its destination.
LTL carriers include:
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.