Doing All My Research And Studying For The Exam
Topic 1873 | Page 1
Welcome Eddie !!! Good to see a wandering driver return !!! Get with the studying...you'd be surprised whats changed out there !!!!
Welcome aboard Eddie! Glad to have ya, and glad you're enjoying The High Road Training Program.
You're going to be surprised at how little has changed in the past 20 years out there. I started in '93 and the biggest changes are in technology - GPS, Qualcomm , smart phones & the Internet in general, electronic logs , etc. But truckin is still truckin and very little else has changed.
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.
Electronic Logs:
Electronic Onboard Recorder
Electronic Logbook
A device which records the amount of time a vehicle has been driven. If the vehicle is not being driven, the operator will manually input whether or not he/she is on duty or not.
Qualcomm:
Omnitracs (a.k.a. Qualcomm) is a satellite-based messaging system with built-in GPS capabilities built by Qualcomm. It has a small computer screen and keyboard and is tied into the truck’s computer. It allows trucking companies to track where the driver is at, monitor the truck, and send and receive messages with the driver – similar to email.
Thanks for the training program! I have finished going through the whole thing and have also downloaded the app for my droid. I like the fact that now while I'm sitting somewhere waiting for something I can go through a practice test.
I'm getting excited since I go for my physical next week, take the test for my permit...then it is off to Missouri for school.
Thanks again Brett for all the great info!
"Special Ed"
That's great news Eddie.
I can tell you once you get started in training it goes by REAL fast lol.
Woody
First off I must say a big thanks to Brett once again....I went in to take the tests for my permit yesterday and passed all of them the first time. General knowledge, combination vehicle and air brakes...missed none! Haz-mat....missed one! The guy asked if I wanted to take doubles/triples and tanker too but I said I will pass for now. I can always take them when I go back to pickup my permit, the computers were down but I still passed!
I also had an appointment with the state to see if I can qualify for a WIA grant to pay for school, looks like I am qualified but it takes a bit of time to get the paperwork through. The lady told me it may be 2-3 weeks before I find out anything....I was really hoping to start school right after Christmas but I may need to delay for a week or so. Will keep you guys updated as I move along toward getting back on the road.
Thanks again Brett....The High Road Training Program works! I didn't even read my state manual!
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.
Combination Vehicle:
A vehicle with two separate parts - the power unit (tractor) and the trailer. Tractor-trailers are considered combination vehicles.
Doubles:
Refers to pulling two trailers at the same time, otherwise known as "pups" or "pup trailers" because they're only about 28 feet long. However there are some states that allow doubles that are each 48 feet in length.
Hey that's awesome news about the tests AND qualifying for WIA Eddie! Congrats!!!! You should buy a lottery ticket - you're on a roll!
I must be on a roll...just got back from my physical and got my 2 year card...YAY!
I must be on a roll...just got back from my physical and got my 2 year card...YAY!
Oh yeah - you're officially on a roll! 
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I have been doing research on a lot of different companies, I will be going to Springfield Missouri at the end of December to start my training at Route 66 CDL and apprenticeship. I already have a pre-hire from Con-Way Truckload, Swift Transportation and US Xpress. Con-Way is my first choice for several reasons, they have great equipment, as a trainee you don't drive team with your trainer, the pay is better, it does cost more since Swift would pay for my training (I'm a vet) but working out the numbers over the first year I will make almost 10K more with Con-Way than Swift or US. I was a driver back in the 90's (started with Swift in 91) so I have an idea about what I'm getting myself into. Still have a lot to learn considering all the changes to the DOT and E logs...Brett I want to thank you for all the great CDL study materials. It is amazing how much I have forgotten in the last 20 years.
After being down-sized almost 2 years ago, looking for work in my field and finding almost nothing, I look forward to keeping everyone updated as I progress through training and make it back to a solo career. I know the mind plays tricks on you, I remember a lot of the good times of being on the road but I have forgotten most of the bad....
I will continue with your online training and practice tests, hope to get through this without any hitches.
Drive safe out there!
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.
Pre-hire:
What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?
Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.
We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.
A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment
The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.
During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.