Otr Down The Road. Do I Stand A Chance??
Topic 19462 | Page 1
I offer my opinion to you with the caveat that I have zero experience as a driver. But in my researching this career over the past few months and speaking with several recruiters, it is my understanding that there are companies "hiring" drivers before they even get their CDL. SoI would think you should have no problem getting hired by one of the "training" companies as long as you keep your driving record and employment history in good shape.
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.
BucketHead, welcome to Trucking Truth! So you have a CDL-A permit now (good for six months, I believe), and are getting some road experience at your local company. First, with a 48' trailer you'll get some understanding about how backing works, but nearly all national OTR companies pull 53' trailers. That 5 feet will make a difference.
You will not have much luck finding an OTR without either going OTR with your current company (being with a local building supply means this isn't in the cards) or taking classes at an approved driving school. The approved schools provide at least 160 hours of classroom and road training.
What Deke was talking about are referred to as " Pre-Hire Letters". This is just a way to say you meet all the other company requirements, providing you do pass the CDL tests.
You say you're planning to first grow your babies before you head out OTR, so you have plenty of time to get the lay of the land. Keep that CDL license and the medical card up to date. In the meantime, here's some reading material:
- 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.
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.
Thanks for you help guys I'll keep all that in mind. I've been following along for a while and it was this blog that gave me the courage to start taking the plung towards my cdl. It's been a childhood dream. And my wife and I decided this would be the year. But for now I tip my hat to all of you and stay safe. And if I'm lucky we may pass by each other at one of the eastern nc ports or truck stops!!
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.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
I strongly disagree with Errol. When you get your CDL and work with your local company then go OTR you won't have to go back to a private school for 160 hours.
You have your CDL but no valid experience which means all the large carriers will gladly take you but you will need to go through their training program before you will be assigned your own truck.
They will not hire you, put you through orientation then assign you a truck without some training done.
How do I know? Well aside from the obvious conclusion that a company won't send you to a private school for additional classroom time when you already have your CDL, my cousin got his license then went back to his construction job only to fall back on his license a year later. He got an offer from every company he applied to so long as he went through their 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.
Well that's good to hear. I was going to go to a private school but the cost with two school age children was out of the question at this time. And I was nervous of signing a contract from fear that it may not be for me or that my family would be ready for the separation. I also figured if all else fails it would be a great fall back if things didn't work out. But who knows I may never go anywhere I work for a great company but the benefits are good the money is ok but the people I work with are like family. But I like to know what options I have. But one day I would love to try otr. As for now I am getting more comfortable behind the wheel shifting is getting better and I backed a little to day. So again thank you all for the advice. And here is to hopefully a long and safe journey into my trucking career.
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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First of all thank you for such a great site. Ok here goes I work for a local building supply and they are helping me get my cdl I have my permit and am now in a 48 foot flat bed bouncing between two trucks and trainers. Anyways what I'm getting at is I don't want to stay with this company for ever I eventually want to go otr not any time soon but after I get some experience and my kids get another couple years older I was just wondering if I had any kind of chance at getting hired with no otr experience and not going to private or a company training program.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
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.