Driving Class A Local
Topic 18240 | Page 1
Local class A is a whole 'nother animal. It's actually a bit tougher since "local" usually means lots of in-traffic driving and tight backing/docking. Also you'll probably be unloading your own truck.
Local driving experience does not count for OTR experience.
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.
Welcome to the site! Its an extremely good resource with honest and friendly and experienced advice. I am finding this a difficult task also. I believe its because most local companies want you to have otr experience first. I found some that have you home on weekends starting out. If you put ltl in the search bar on this site there is some great info.
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
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.
Local class A is a whole 'nother animal. It's actually a bit tougher since "local" usually means lots of in-traffic driving and tight backing/docking. Also you'll probably be unloading your own truck.
Local driving experience does not count for OTR experience.
Thanks for the info. I do drive tucks and heavy machinery on private land right now and do well with tight spots. Unloading my own is ok too.
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.
Welcome to the site! Its an extremely good resource with honest and friendly and experienced advice. I am finding this a difficult task also. I believe its because most local companies want you to have otr experience first. I found some that have you home on weekends starting out. If you put ltl in the search bar on this site there is some great info.
Thanks for the welcome. I have seen a few locals that will take me with limited experience. We will see I guess.
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
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.
Brian if your ultimate goal is OTR you might be painting your self into a corner by starting out local. Once you decide you are ready for OTR, many companies will want OTR experience.
Check these links out:
- Truck Driver's Career Guide
- Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
- High Road Training Program
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.
It's a bear to find local work that accepts rookies with no OTR experience. But it is possible especially if you're over the age of 21!!
Depending on where you're located, look for agricultural companies. Milk truck, grain truck, etc. may hire you. (I'm 18 and have a few grain companies that may take me)
Also, construction/excavation companies might hire you. You said you have heavy equipment experience, so maybe check them out and see if there's a flatbed position to haul that equipment to & from job sites.
Check grocery stores, convenience stores, and "major" companies that have local runs / daycabs in your area.
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.
Brian if your ultimate goal is OTR you might be painting your self into a corner by starting out local. Once you decide you are ready for OTR, many companies will want OTR experience.
Check these links out:
Thank you!
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.
It's a bear to find local work that accepts rookies with no OTR experience. But it is possible especially if you're over the age of 21!!
Depending on where you're located, look for agricultural companies. Milk truck, grain truck, etc. may hire you. (I'm 18 and have a few grain companies that may take me)
Also, construction/excavation companies might hire you. You said you have heavy equipment experience, so maybe check them out and see if there's a flatbed position to haul that equipment to & from job sites.
Check grocery stores, convenience stores, and "major" companies that have local runs / daycabs in your area.
Thank you I'm 42 so hope that works in my favor.
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.
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I'm looking at getting my Class A but staying local at least for the first couple of years.
What I am wondering is if this is a viable option?
Also once I have a few years in what do I need to transition to otr?
Can't really find much info on Class A local then moving on to regional or national.
Any input is appreciated.
Brian
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.