FNG
Topic 17458 | Page 1
Congratulations on getting your CDL A.
Did you attend a training program, or do it on your own? The question is relevant since most companies will not hire new (inexperienced) drivers unless they have completed an accredited training program. You may find that any company that offers you an opportunity, may also require you to attend some type of training - at the minimum, their refresher program; and quite possibly a full training course.
Finally, only driving and safety violations will appear on your DAC. Rejections from your employment applications will not.
So the short version is:
Apply to any and every company that you can. You may get lots of rejections (you may get none!) but you will almost certainly get some approvals. But if you never ask, you will never get a positive response.
Good luck!
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.
DAC:
Drive-A-Check Report
A truck drivers DAC report will contain detailed information about their job history of the last 10 years as a CDL driver (as required by the DOT).
It may also contain your criminal history, drug test results, DOT infractions and accident history. The program is strictly voluntary from a company standpoint, but most of the medium-to-large carriers will participate.
Most trucking companies use DAC reports as part of their hiring and background check process. It is extremely important that drivers verify that the information contained in it is correct, and have it fixed if it's not.
Thanks John. I did a formal school, 8 weeks at ATI in VA Beach, class ends tomorrow, we road tested yesterday. You're right though, a closed mouth don't get fed ;) be safe
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Got my Class A passed, hazmat , tanker tests and passport. I'm waiting on the Twic and hazmat background to come back, I got no disquals for either. What I do have is two speeding tickets in my car, prior to my CDL 3 years ago, Nothing else. I've spent most my time running a tow truck, which I'm still CERT's to do and enjoy but I'd like to get into otr. I've not really applied to anyone otr yet because of my driving record and I don't want to make a bad name for myself just starting out, kinda like being red flagged by 1 company would carry over to another, lady at DMV said my DAC begins soon as I get my CDL and I don't want anything negative on it without ever having been working. So any advice? Or just say hi, I dunno. Thanks for reading, be safe out there!
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
HAZMAT:
Hazardous Materials
Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts of especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under HAZMAT regulations
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.
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.
DAC:
Drive-A-Check Report
A truck drivers DAC report will contain detailed information about their job history of the last 10 years as a CDL driver (as required by the DOT).
It may also contain your criminal history, drug test results, DOT infractions and accident history. The program is strictly voluntary from a company standpoint, but most of the medium-to-large carriers will participate.
Most trucking companies use DAC reports as part of their hiring and background check process. It is extremely important that drivers verify that the information contained in it is correct, and have it fixed if it's not.
TWIC:
Transportation Worker Identification Credential
Truck drivers who regularly pick up from or deliver to the shipping ports will often be required to carry a TWIC card.
Your TWIC is a tamper-resistant biometric card which acts as both your identification in secure areas, as well as an indicator of you having passed the necessary security clearance. TWIC cards are valid for five years. The issuance of TWIC cards is overseen by the Transportation Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security.