CDL-A Permit Needed Prior To Enrolling In Company Sponsored School/training?
Topic 16966 | Page 1
Most of the time you can bring your own permit. However most schools will get you up to speed before you really get into the truck driving stuff.
My recommendation, and what I did, is to get the permit in your home state yourself, and bring that to the party. You just might skip the time needed to get a permit, since you already have one.
Most of the time you can bring your own permit. However most schools will get you up to speed before you really get into the truck driving stuff.
My recommendation, and what I did, is to get the permit in your home state yourself, and bring that to the party. You just might skip the time needed to get a permit, since you already have one.
Appreciate the info. So, just so I understand....A permit is not required at the time of enrollment?"
I was told to get my permit (husband) and couldn't get my permit (DMV) without my medical card. Total cost $106.50. Then the company says they are not hiring out of Fl. So I tell other recruiter (Memphis) that I have my permit and med card and he says I'll have to do it again in that state. I would definately study, but ask the recruiter of each company you apply to. The one thing good about my situation was I passed both with flying colors when I thought I couldn't. The relief I got was worth the money.
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.DMV:
Department of Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
The state agency that handles everything related to your driver's licences, including testing, issuance, transfers, and revocation.
I think it depends on the company, Prime for example told me I didn't need to get my CDL permit first, but XPO told me I had to get it before going to their training. This site has really a really useful online training program and practice cdl tests so it might be easier to get one before going just so you can work more at your own speed.
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.
Another question I have is....If I decide to go thru with company sponsored training that guarantees work once you complete the course, is it guaranteed to be OTR? I ask because I'm not sure I want be away from home/family for 27 or so days out of the month.
I have the money to pay upfront for my training and I'm leaning more towards doing that so that I have more flexibility and freedom to choose a company and schedule that better suits my needs. Question is....how realistic is it that I land a regional or dedicated route right out of school?
Dedicated Route:
A driver or carrier who transports cargo between regular, prescribed routes. Normally it means a driver will be dedicated to working for one particular customer like Walmart or Home Depot and they will only haul freight for that customer. You'll often hear drivers say something like, "I'm on the Walmart dedicated account."
Regional:
Regional Route
Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.
OTR:
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.
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.
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.
I think it depends on the company, Prime for example told me I didn't need to get my CDL permit first, but XPO told me I had to get it before going to their training. This site has really a really useful online training program and practice cdl tests so it might be easier to get one before going just so you can work more at your own speed.
It must be a state by state type of thing. I live in CA and my Prime recruiter told me that I DID need to get my permit in my home state before coming to training. Bottom line appears to be - check with your recruiter.
Stay Safe Out There, Colin K.
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.
Another question I have is....If I decide to go thru with company sponsored training that guarantees work once you complete the course, is it guaranteed to be OTR? I ask because I'm not sure I want be away from home/family for 27 or so days out of the month.
I have the money to pay upfront for my training and I'm leaning more towards doing that so that I have more flexibility and freedom to choose a company and schedule that better suits my needs. Question is....how realistic is it that I land a regional or dedicated route right out of school?
Not very realistic. Once you complete road training, the majority of companies will require OTR at least for several months before considering you for regional or dedicated.
Also realize road training is all OTR. Depending on the company this could be a couple of weeks up to 3 months. During that time do not expect home time unless your trainer lives in the general vicinity of your residence.
Dedicated Route:
A driver or carrier who transports cargo between regular, prescribed routes. Normally it means a driver will be dedicated to working for one particular customer like Walmart or Home Depot and they will only haul freight for that customer. You'll often hear drivers say something like, "I'm on the Walmart dedicated account."
Regional:
Regional Route
Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.
OTR:
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.
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.
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.
Dominick asks:
Another question I have is....If I decide to go thru with company sponsored training that guarantees work once you complete the course, is it guaranteed to be OTR? I ask because I'm not sure I want be away from home/family for 27 or so days out of the month.
First, you are all but hired if the company accepts you into the company school. It's a pipeline from school to orientation to road training.
As for your OTR experience, expect to be assigned OTR when you're upgraded to solo, or "first seat". That is no guarantee, though. Your company will assign you to where they need drivers. I know of people who completed their training and were immediately assigned to a shuttle account: driving from Point A to Point B every day, and getting home every night. (Hey! What a concept!)
But, starting with your trainer, it never hurts to just ask!
BTW, in most companies the minimum time on the road before you can get home is two weeks. Then you get two days with the family. Then again, you may not get those long cross-country trips, and you'll stay more like a regional driver.
Regional:
Regional Route
Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.
OTR:
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.
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.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Definitely try to get your permit and endorsements beforehand. Doing them at the school is a hell of lot more stressful on top of the sleeplessness and new schedule. If you cannot do this, definitely do the courses on this sight. Some of the materials may seem off base but trust me, its better to know it and not need it for exam purposes. Make sure your medical is up to date for BP and sight. I cannot stress that ENOUGH! You will not have much hometime to start... Get used to it. Do your year and then focus on your choices for scheduling. Remember, you survive your first year out here. Focus on this very hard. Good luck man. Soulbrutha out....
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I'm currently studying for my cdl-a permit but am wondering if I have to have it prior to enrolling in a company sponsored school for my license or do they also assist you with obtaining your permit while you're there?
Thanks!
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles: