New Driver Looking To Start Over The Road
Topic 17629 | Page 1
Welcome to Trucking Truth, Kyle. One question back at you: hire long do you have to wait to be 22? Or, how old are you now?
The usual arrangement for New drivers is that their first company will help finance the training, and the driver pays it off over the first year. I don't know if ats will do that, since I'm assuming they don't hire "recent grads".
I asked your age because if you're 21 - the minimum age for interstate OTR , you might consider going with another company at first to handle the training/tuition, as well as get a year's worth of road eperience in.
Here is our "starter kit" for new drivers:
- Truck Driver's Career Guide
- Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
- High Road Training Program
The first two will clue you in about a trucking career. The High Road Program will prepare you for the CDL-A test.
Please find back with any more questions!
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.
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.
Interstate:
Commercial trade, business, movement of goods or money, or transportation from one state to another, regulated by the Federal Department Of Transportation (DOT).
Hello errol I am 21 not and have a little over 7 months until I turn 22. I actually have a little advantage over some people being that my cdl school was paid for by the state through a jobs program so I don't have to worry about paying that back. I already have my class A cdl with tanker endorsement. Thank you for your reply
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.
Every so often a person maybe 18-19 years old posts a question about driving/CDL-A. It's not really practical for them to start trucking if they're not 21 yet.
Also, Trucking Truth advises any new driver to stick with their first company for at least a year before they start switching companies, both for tuition financing and "anti-job hopping" reasons. So with the added info here, it looks like you do have your ducks in a row. Push that snow into springtime, then make the switch.
Good luck! And don't be a stranger here.
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 and I definitely plan on not being a stranger
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
Hello everyone Ive had my cdl for a year now and have drove a little dump truck and am currently driving a snow plow for modot. I guess really my question would be, I'm really interested in ats but they won't hire until your 22 and I'm sure around spring time I'll lose my plow job. No snow no plowing lol. My question is would it be best to just wait it out until I'm 22 or start with a company once snow is over for the year and switch to ats once I am 22. Thank you for reading and any little tips about what to expect with life on the road would be greatly appreciated
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated