Pre-Trip Question
Topic 23958 | Page 2
Micah welcome to the Trucking Truth forum.
To echo what Big Scott wrote; without the certificate of training, it’s very, very difficult to get a job with a reputable trucking company. “Reputable” in terms of their proven ability to road-train and support an entry level driver. We have seen countless examples of folks taking the same DIY path to getting a CDL that end up without a job.
Our recommended path that enables success is this:
To truest understand the answer to your brake check question requires knowledge of the actual braking systems basic design and functionality. This information can be found in any state CDL manual and in Trucking Truth’s High Road CDL Training Program.
Study! Having a class A CDL requires that you have a rudimentary understanding of the machine you will be operating.
I also suggest reviewing these links as well:
- Pre-Trip Inspection Study Guide
- Daniel's Pre-Trip Inspection
- Pre-Trip Inspection Checklist
- Pre-Trip Inspection Practice Questions
Pre-trip Inspection:
A pre-trip inspection is a thorough inspection of the truck completed before driving for the first time each day.
Federal and state laws require that drivers inspect their vehicles. Federal and state inspectors also may inspect your vehicles. If they judge a vehicle to be unsafe, they will put it “out of service” until it is repaired.
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.
EPU:
Electric Auxiliary Power Units
Electric APUs have started gaining acceptance. These electric APUs use battery packs instead of the diesel engine on traditional APUs as a source of power. The APU's battery pack is charged when the truck is in motion. When the truck is idle, the stored energy in the battery pack is then used to power an air conditioner, heater, and other devices
I am not aiming to get in with a large company right now. I'm attending college for a 4 year degree, and can't take the time. But, I do plan to stay with the company I am with currently, which would give me experience behind the wheel until I decide to go with a "real" trucking company, which should help a bit
I am not aiming to get in with a large company right now. I'm attending college for a 4 year degree, and can't take the time. But, I do plan to stay with the company I am with currently, which would give me experience behind the wheel until I decide to go with a "real" trucking company, which should help a bit
How are they going to insure you? That is the main reason you need the school and experience.
I am not aiming to get in with a large company right now. I'm attending college for a 4 year degree, and can't take the time. But, I do plan to stay with the company I am with currently, which would give me experience behind the wheel until I decide to go with a "real" trucking company, which should help a bit
How are they going to insure you? That is the main reason you need the school and experience.
Most likely because I have been with the company for 4+ years and have been driving straight trucks/trucks and 30 foot trailers for at least 3 of those years.
It's not a trucking company, but we have a semi which we use many times a week locally.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
I am not aiming to get in with a large company right now. I'm attending college for a 4 year degree, and can't take the time. But, I do plan to stay with the company I am with currently, which would give me experience behind the wheel until I decide to go with a "real" trucking company, which should help a bit
How are they going to insure you? That is the main reason you need the school and experience.
Most likely because I have been with the company for 4+ years and have been driving straight trucks/trucks and 30 foot trailers for at least 3 of those years.
It's not a trucking company, but we have a semi which we use many times a week locally.
So you have years of experience driving commercially then. And probably a CDL class B license I presume?
That would probably explain why the insurance company will cover 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.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
I am not aiming to get in with a large company right now. I'm attending college for a 4 year degree, and can't take the time. But, I do plan to stay with the company I am with currently, which would give me experience behind the wheel until I decide to go with a "real" trucking company, which should help a bit
How are they going to insure you? That is the main reason you need the school and experience.
Most likely because I have been with the company for 4+ years and have been driving straight trucks/trucks and 30 foot trailers for at least 3 of those years.
It's not a trucking company, but we have a semi which we use many times a week locally.
So you have years of experience driving commercially then. And probably a CDL class B license I presume?
That would probably explain why the insurance company will cover you.
No experience withe a cmv previosuly in these years. and this is the first time I have held a commercial license of any kind. I guess the insurance company I just being nice. I will make the 2nd driver we have in the company, and trust me I was shocked when they said they'd insure me
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.
CMV:
Commercial Motor Vehicle
A CMV is a vehicle that is used as part of a business, is involved in interstate commerce, and may fit any of these descriptions:
- Weighs 10,001 pounds or more
- Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more
- Is designed or used to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver) not for compensation
- Is designed or used to transport 9 or more passengers (including the driver) for compensation
- Is transporting hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placards
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
I am not aiming to get in with a large company right now. I'm attending college for a 4 year degree, and can't take the time. But, I do plan to stay with the company I am with currently, which would give me experience behind the wheel until I decide to go with a "real" trucking company, which should help a bit
How are they going to insure you? That is the main reason you need the school and experience.
Most likely because I have been with the company for 4+ years and have been driving straight trucks/trucks and 30 foot trailers for at least 3 of those years.
It's not a trucking company, but we have a semi which we use many times a week locally.
So you have years of experience driving commercially then. And probably a CDL class B license I presume?
That would probably explain why the insurance company will cover you.
No experience withe a cmv previosuly in these years. and this is the first time I have held a commercial license of any kind. I guess the insurance company I just being nice. I will make the 2nd driver we have in the company, and trust me I was shocked when they said they'd insure me
The straight trucks and trailer are too small to qualify as class B?
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.
CMV:
Commercial Motor Vehicle
A CMV is a vehicle that is used as part of a business, is involved in interstate commerce, and may fit any of these descriptions:
- Weighs 10,001 pounds or more
- Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more
- Is designed or used to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver) not for compensation
- Is designed or used to transport 9 or more passengers (including the driver) for compensation
- Is transporting hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placards
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
The trailers gross out at 12k and are pulled by a 1 ton truck, and none of the straight trucks are over 26k gross. Though we do have a few with air brakes
Micah...don’t be surprised if your company runs you uninsured. Most insurance companies will NOT insure a novice driver. One accident and you’ll at the very least taken out of the truck.
So this company is going to put you into a semi imnediately after getting your CDL? How are they going to train you under a load?
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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CDL Qualifications CDL Test Preparation CDL Training Pre-trip inspection (PTI)
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CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles: