Here Are My Ten Choices For Company-sponsored CDL Training
Topic 24383 | Page 3
Professor don't give up. You admit you messed up and that's a step in the right direction. Looking into a S.A.P. (substance abuse program) like old school said will help you. That's not to say you have a drug problem however it will show companies you're taking this seriously. You may consider going through a private school to get your cdl , just make sure you have pre hires from companies to ensure you are hireable. Carolina cargo, western Express and CR England are a few companies that come to mind as being more lenient in their requirements. Those companies do pay a little less per mile but you can still make great money with them. After a year of proving yourself you may notice some of the companies that won't give you a chance now will be more open.
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.
Dm:
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.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.
Pre Hires:
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.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Everything I have read everywhere is more about being completely honest than not having any mistakes in your past. If you are clean and have been clean and really want this opportunity don't give up until you have exhausted every avenue. Good luck to you.
Thank you all for the encouragement. To be honest, I was a little down for about 30 minutes or so after Old School's post, but that little mustard seed inside of me is always sprouting faith and told me not to give up. I came along way and learn too much to just throw it away because of a small mistake. I'm not going to give up and after all of the information I'd gained about trucking, there's NO WAY IN HELL will I ever mix drugs/alcohol with driving. I just can't fathom the thought of being intoxicated and ramming behind a vehicle and moments later I find out that I had just killed a family, let alone a little baby. I would be beyond traumatize. I just see this as God's way of saying that I need to leave drugs alone. Plus, this could had been worse to where if I had a CDL and I was caught with drugs in my system, the consequence could've been more dire than just getting popped prior to getting any sort of CDL. As the old saying goes, "When there's a will, there's a way" and I have a will to getting a CDL. This just requires a lllloooonnnggg set of baby steps. Plus, I knew at the very beginning when I told myself to focus on getting an CDL that there will be bumps and hurdles. So I had already mentally prepared myself. That's the soldiers way.
Let me ask you all another question. Since you all know that I was popped, which was around 2 1/2 years ago and from the responses, I have to now take a SAP course if I'm ever considering of OTR. I cool with that. Rules are rules. With that being said. Let's say if I took another route and went to go for a CDL B and found a transit bus service who will train on the job and the only thing I have to do is get my permit first. And on the application, it asks that if I had failed a DOT drug test in the last 2 years and I said no (truthfully it was over two years ago , would I still be penalized because I did failed one that was over 2 years ago and still have to do a SAP or should I be in the clear? I heard many of times, if they don't ask, don't tell.
I'm thinking, hell if I can't get into OTR with a CDL A, at least I can get a CDL B and work that for awhile until I can get things straighten with this whole SAP/Failing a DOT drug test thing. Of course, I will leave this in God's hands and let the universe direct me. Until then, I just need some advice, opinions, suggestions, etc.
Thank you all once again for your responses. You guys are awesome!!!
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.
SAP:
Substance Abuse Professional
The Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) is a person who evaluates employees who have violated a DOT drug and alcohol program regulation and makes recommendations concerning education, treatment, follow-up testing, and aftercare.
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.
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Becoming A Truck Driver CDL Qualifications Choosing A Trucking Company Drivers Past Legal Issues Drug and Alcohol Testing SAP
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I guess even though I never had gotten a CDL , I'm pretty much SOL. That's a bummer. I guess I have to look for a different career choice and say goodbye to a trucking career.
Thanks for the response Old School
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles: