Is It Possible To Stay Out For Weeks Or Months On End?

Topic 21124 | Page 1

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Dustin M.'s Comment
member avatar

I have my cdl but no xp so i dont know.

Is it possible to stay out for months at a time as a solo company driver or do they force you to take a break every month or so? Im just currious cause once i leave for a company i dont know if i want to come back cause there is nothing here for me. Do you know of anyone that goes and goes?

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.
Matt M.'s Comment
member avatar

Yeah, you can keep running. I spoke with a company driver that had driven 20 years and he only goes home once or twice a year. Most OTR jobs want you to run at least three or four weeks at a time minimum.

You can generally take "home time" other places too, if you work it out with your dispatcher. Park at a truck stop or secure location and go explore different places.

I have to get out of the truck sometimes or I would go crazy. As it is I was always ready to take a break every four or five weeks. I did a couple of stints longer than that and it really started to wear on me. Everybody's different, you will know what is right for you once you start driving.

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.

Dispatcher:

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.

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.

MC1371's Comment
member avatar

Completely possible. Some require at Least 3 weeks out OTR.

Most, don't care if you just want to run.

Think I spent a little over 2.5 mos out when I started. Wasn't until recently I started making regular stops.. And they're not at my address of record.

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.

Big Scott's Comment
member avatar

I currently stay out about 6 to 8 weeks and split home time between my wife in NC and my family in NY. I met a woman from my company who goes home once or twice a year. You can run out your 70 and do a reset or take home time anywhere. Pleople use bikes, scooters and Uber to get around. Have fun.

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.

JD's Comment
member avatar

I'm on my home home because I have an appointment with a knee surgeon on Monday or I would still be out there running last time I was home was august 19 also for a doctors appointment.....

JD
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