HOS QUESTION
Topic 22755 | Page 1
Your 14 hour clock starts when you "punch in" by going on duty for the first time after your 10 hour break. This is usually to do your pretrip. Once you start your 14 hour clock it doesn't stop. This is much easier to understand once you start driving. If you are going to CFI, did you know they will train you for free? Good luck.
HI Thanks for the info. and yes I do know about CFI sponsored training program but I would just rather get my CDL here in MS first that way no contract to sign plus I would already have my CDL in MS. I have spoken with Cortney she is my recruiter and she has sent me a pre-hire letter that I have sent to TDI just not sure when I am gonna start, may wait till August
So would like to know your thoughts about CFI and also do you do any runs into Canada?
Your 14 hour clock starts when you "punch in" by going on duty for the first time after your 10 hour break. This is usually to do your pretrip. Once you start your 14 hour clock it doesn't stop. This is much easier to understand once you start driving. If you are going to CFI, did you know they will train you for free? Good luck.
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.
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.
I didn't mention gonna use my Post 911 GI Bill to pay for the schooling and do the military apprenticeship program at CFI
Your 14 hour clock starts when you "punch in" by going on duty for the first time after your 10 hour break. This is usually to do your pretrip. Once you start your 14 hour clock it doesn't stop. This is much easier to understand once you start driving. If you are going to CFI, did you know they will train you for free? Good luck.
One of the constant pieces of advice we offer at Trucking Truth is that new drivers should stay with their first company for at least a year. Your possible next company may not like to see that you hop from one job to the next.
And if CFI will pay or finance your tuition in return for a year's driving what's wrong with that? You can save your GI Bill benefits for something better/different later on. Do not be afraid of commitment.
As for the 14 hour rule, don't try to game the system by doing you're pre-trip "on your own time". (This is general advice, you didn't say you might do this.) For legal and CYA reasons you need to log the time for your pre-trip.
The 14 hour day is connected to your 11 hour driving time. Once you "punch in", as Big Scott says, you have 14 hours to get in your 11 hours driving. You could legally stay On Duty Not Driving longer, but the next 10 hour break can't start till you do "clock out" off duty.
I have easily completed my one year commitment with CFI. I feel they are a great company that truly cares about the driver's. They take safety seriously. I have never felt pushed to drive when I feel it's unsafe to do so. In fact, I'm supported in my decision. I have not been to Canada. CFI has a YouTube page with many short vids from drivers who go to Canada. Like Errol said, the one year commitment goes by so fast. I do not know what their military deal is. However, I love the new decal they made to honor all military vets. They just announced that they are working on a pay raise for all drivers. They have yet to finalize and release the details. As long as I am OTR I will be driving for CFI.
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.
You will still be reimbursed even after having used your gi bill for school, so no money out of your pocket, only in your pocket. Tuition reimbursement will most likely not be paid in one lump sum but more likely over a year or even two.
VA apprenticeship will pay you BAH for whatever terminal the company lists as its home terminal. My company has listed a smaller terminal as its headquarters which in turn pays more in BAH because of the cost of living for the area. Your BAH will decrease by 20% every 6 months.
I dont drive for cfi so I'm sure somebody who does can answer more specifically.
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
was told I would not be reimbursed if I use my GI Bill to pay for schooling since I wouldn't be paying out of pocket. Yes I do know about the payments from the VA
You will still be reimbursed even after having used your gi bill for school, so no money out of your pocket, only in your pocket. Tuition reimbursement will most likely not be paid in one lump sum but more likely over a year or even two.
VA apprenticeship will pay you BAH for whatever terminal the company lists as its home terminal. My company has listed a smaller terminal as its headquarters which in turn pays more in BAH because of the cost of living for the area. Your BAH will decrease by 20% every 6 months.
I dont drive for cfi so I'm sure somebody who does can answer more specifically.
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
thanks yes I have watched the CFI videos on youtube. yes the VA makes monthly payments up to $1,035 tax free for one year. and thanks for the info
I have easily completed my one year commitment with CFI. I feel they are a great company that truly cares about the driver's. They take safety seriously. I have never felt pushed to drive when I feel it's unsafe to do so. In fact, I'm supported in my decision. I have not been to Canada. CFI has a YouTube page with many short vids from drivers who go to Canada. Like Errol said, the one year commitment goes by so fast. I do not know what their military deal is. However, I love the new decal they made to honor all military vets. They just announced that they are working on a pay raise for all drivers. They have yet to finalize and release the details. As long as I am OTR I will be driving for CFI.
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.
Yes I know CFI will pay for your schooling with there partner school and nothing wrong with the 1 yr contract I would just rather get my CDL here in MS first, and its my choice to use GI Bill to pay for schooling I have no other plans to use it anywhere else but I understand what you are saying and thank you for the advice. I also understand about staying with a company for a year as I have planned to do that anyway and I really hope to stay there longer than that.
One of the constant pieces of advice we offer at Trucking Truth is that new drivers should stay with their first company for at least a year. Your possible next company may not like to see that you hop from one job to the next.
And if CFI will pay or finance your tuition in return for a year's driving what's wrong with that? You can save your GI Bill benefits for something better/different later on. Do not be afraid of commitment.
As for the 14 hour rule, don't try to game the system by doing you're pre-trip "on your own time". (This is general advice, you didn't say you might do this.) For legal and CYA reasons you need to log the time for your pre-trip.
The 14 hour day is connected to your 11 hour driving time. Once you "punch in", as Big Scott says, you have 14 hours to get in your 11 hours driving. You could legally stay On Duty Not Driving longer, but the next 10 hour break can't start till you do "clock out" off duty.
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.
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I wanted to start this by saying Im not yet a truck driver but have been researching it I have app in with CFI and probably will be doing my school training thru TDI in Tupelo, MS (I live in Philadelphia, MS) and also I am Navy Vet, master mason and shriner.
So my question is about the 14 hour clock,I was wondering does it start when you start the truck up or once you start driving that is after your 10 hr break?