What is the difference between the two?
PSD Just finished orientation, got your CLP & you go out with a trainer but the truck runs as a solo truck. Trainer must be in passenger seat while student drives. Usually 10K miles then head back to terminal & test out.
TNT You passed you CDL tests & have your freshly minted CDL license with your tanker endorsement. You go out with a trainer for 30K miles & run truck as a team. This is crucial time where you soak up & learn as much as possible. If your trainer is as good as mine, they'll set you up to run alone as much as possible, bump as many docks as possible, deal with as many shippers & receivers as possible, etc. This way you retain as much info as possible to hit the road & be profitable quickly after going solo.
I got my cdl on 03/29 of last year. Was only making $700/week from then to first week of June when I upgraded. Still made over $40K. Not bad for a rookie.
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
The customer who is shipping the freight. This is where the driver will pick up a load and then deliver it to the receiver or consignee.
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.
Prime Inc has a CDL training program and the first phase is referred to as PSD. You'll get your permit and then 10,000 miles of on the road instruction.
Prime’s PSD begins with you obtaining your CDL permit. Then you’ll go on the road with a certified CDL instructor for no less than 75 hours of one-on-one behind the wheel training. After training, you’ll return to Prime’s corporate headquarters in Springfield, Missouri, for final CDL state testing and your CDL license.
Prime Inc has their own CDL training program and it's divided into two phases - PSD and TNT.
The PSD (Prime Student Driver) phase is where you'll get your permit and then go on the road for 10,000 miles with a trainer. When you come back you'll get your CDL license and enter the TNT phase.
The TNT phase is the second phase of training where you'll go on the road with an experienced driver for 30,000 miles of team driving. You'll receive 14¢ per mile ($700 per week guaranteed) during this phase. Once you're finished with TNT training you will be assigned a truck to run solo.
Before getting their CDL, commercial drivers will receive their commercial learner's permit (CLP) upon passing the written portion of the CDL exam. They will not have to retake the written exam to get their CDL.
Congrats SS! Continue success on your journey. Yes, streamlining is a great word for TNT rookies. All your gear has to fit in that top bunk where you also have to sleep when the truck isn't moving. I'd bring a lightweight sleeping bag to use when sleeping on his/her bunk when the truck is rolling. Good luck out here & since G-Town didn't say it, "watch your wagon" © G-Town.
Thanks all. Specifically for anyone reading this wondering on sleep gear, wall Mart sells a red sleeping bag (50 degree) for 8.97. seen in Utah and California so I imagine it's in other states as well.
Got through the first phase PSD with one and will again for next phase (30k team miles).
As far as being a sponge, I think that's all I can do for a while. I can't imagine how anyone would assume they know more than the person training them at any of these beginning stages but I'm sure it happens.
In the meantime I'll watch some how to videos on the Prime app. Thanks again all!
Good call on the how to videos. I learned to chain the hard way. Had to watch it 3X to figure out proper way to do it. Make sure you sign in when doing it also. Some you get credit for & I think they pay for you watching the ACE one.
Prime Inc has a CDL training program and the first phase is referred to as PSD. You'll get your permit and then 10,000 miles of on the road instruction.
Prime’s PSD begins with you obtaining your CDL permit. Then you’ll go on the road with a certified CDL instructor for no less than 75 hours of one-on-one behind the wheel training. After training, you’ll return to Prime’s corporate headquarters in Springfield, Missouri, for final CDL state testing and your CDL license.
Prime Inc has their own CDL training program and it's divided into two phases - PSD and TNT.
The PSD (Prime Student Driver) phase is where you'll get your permit and then go on the road for 10,000 miles with a trainer. When you come back you'll get your CDL license and enter the TNT phase.
The TNT phase is the second phase of training where you'll go on the road with an experienced driver for 30,000 miles of team driving. You'll receive 14¢ per mile ($700 per week guaranteed) during this phase. Once you're finished with TNT training you will be assigned a truck to run solo.
Enjoyable and Safe Travels.
As I was taught...
"Drive the trailer not the truck!"
(I like the one I saw here about always looking in the mirrors when turning the wheel too!)
If your trainer is as good as mine, they'll set you up to run alone as much as possible, bump as many docks as possible, deal with as many shippers & receivers as possible, etc. This way you retain as much info as possible to hit the road & be profitable quickly after going solo.
Splitter made me lazy! It took me 2 mos to learn how to back again, by then I got an auto and had to learn that. Just when i learned backing and the auto...i got a new trainee...and I got lazy again. Then i got a new truck with a different auto.. then bam! Now I have Daniel as a new trainee.
Learning never ends in trucking. Absorb it all, ask questions, take initiative. Ask your trainer if you can get more time to practice whatever you need to
Poor Daniel has been on the truck jist a few days and did Donner, WY, and had 4 really hard backing situations. But he got it done.
Dont give up and look at it all as a puzzle.
BTW... my FM has told me Splitter is an awesome driver. So keep at it and good things will come.
The customer who is shipping the freight. This is where the driver will pick up a load and then deliver it to the receiver or consignee.
If your trainer is as good as mine, they'll set you up to run alone as much as possible, bump as many docks as possible, deal with as many shippers & receivers as possible, etc. This way you retain as much info as possible to hit the road & be profitable quickly after going solo.
Splitter made me lazy! It took me 2 mos to learn how to back again, by then I got an auto and had to learn that. Just when i learned backing and the auto...i got a new trainee...and I got lazy again. Then i got a new truck with a different auto.. then bam! Now I have Daniel as a new trainee.
Learning never ends in trucking. Absorb it all, ask questions, take initiative. Ask your trainer if you can get more time to practice whatever you need to
Poor Daniel has been on the truck jist a few days and did Donner, WY, and had 4 really hard backing situations. But he got it done.
Dont give up and look at it all as a puzzle.
BTW... my FM has told me Splitter is an awesome driver. So keep at it and good things will come.
He may take that back if you ask him again. Lol. I may have to take a 6 week leave of absence to do some volunteer work. Still working out the kinks. But thanks for all your tough love.
The customer who is shipping the freight. This is where the driver will pick up a load and then deliver it to the receiver or consignee.
New! Check out our help videos for a better understanding of our forum features
Click Anywhere To Close
Did you know you can fill out one quick form here on TruckingTruth and apply to several companies at once for paid CDL training? Seriously! The application only takes one minute. You will speak with recruiters today. There is no obligation whatsoever. Learn more and apply here:
TruckingTruth was founded by Brett Aquila (that's me!), a 15 year truck driving veteran, in January 2007. After 15 years on the road I wanted to help people understand the trucking industry and everything that came with the career and lifestyle of an over the road trucker. We'll help you make the right choices and prepare for a great start to your trucking career.
Becoming A Truck Driver is a dream we've all pondered at some point in our lives. We've all wondered if the adventure and challenges of life on the open road would suit us better than the ordinary day to day lives we've always known. At TruckingTruth we'll help you decide if trucking is right for you and help you get your career off to a great start.
TT On Facebook
Thanks all. Specifically for anyone reading this wondering on sleep gear, wall Mart sells a red sleeping bag (50 degree) for 8.97. seen in Utah and California so I imagine it's in other states as well.
Got through the first phase PSD with one and will again for next phase (30k team miles).
As far as being a sponge, I think that's all I can do for a while. I can't imagine how anyone would assume they know more than the person training them at any of these beginning stages but I'm sure it happens.
In the meantime I'll watch some how to videos on the Prime app. Thanks again all!
PSD:
Prime Student Driver
Prime Inc has a CDL training program and the first phase is referred to as PSD. You'll get your permit and then 10,000 miles of on the road instruction.
The following is from Prime's website:
Prime’s PSD begins with you obtaining your CDL permit. Then you’ll go on the road with a certified CDL instructor for no less than 75 hours of one-on-one behind the wheel training. After training, you’ll return to Prime’s corporate headquarters in Springfield, Missouri, for final CDL state testing and your CDL license.
Obtain CDL Permit / 4 Days
On-the-Road Instruction / 10,000 Miles
TNT:
Trainer-N-Trainee
Prime Inc has their own CDL training program and it's divided into two phases - PSD and TNT.
The PSD (Prime Student Driver) phase is where you'll get your permit and then go on the road for 10,000 miles with a trainer. When you come back you'll get your CDL license and enter the TNT phase.
The TNT phase is the second phase of training where you'll go on the road with an experienced driver for 30,000 miles of team driving. You'll receive 14¢ per mile ($700 per week guaranteed) during this phase. Once you're finished with TNT training you will be assigned a truck to run solo.