HELP Driver Resource Center
Topic 25811 | Page 1
Welcome to the Trucking Truth site, Mia! We’re glad you’re posting here.
Do you already have your CDL , or are you going to be a student?
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.
Yes, welcome, Mia. Knowing whether you have your permit or license or your a student will help us better answer your question.
Specifically, there are a few USX drivers her, they should answer your question. Here's a secret known but to few: the big trucking companies treat their drivers well. Yeah the perks and pay are different, but overall there's no problem.
At the top of this page is a three-bar menu. Use that to look for answers. As for USXpress, here's our review: U.S. Xpress, Inc. Company Review.
Now: Got your CDL yet?
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.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
Welcome Mia!
Brett, who started this website, worked 6 years for U.S. Express. They are a great company to work for.
Now, here's the problem... it's not easy breaking into the trucking career. A lot of people don't make it. Those are the people screaming on the internet about how bad these companies are. Ignore all that trash talk and focus on getting through that really tough first year out here on the road.
You don't want to take advice from the people who failed at trucking. You can do this, but you'll need to quit reading some of the familiar stuff on the internet.
Here's two very helpful podcasts that I think will help you understand how to get started at this...
You're Getting Career Advice From All The Wrong People
Stop The Fear And Doubt - Focus On Your Own Success
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Mia, I am assuming that Driver Resource Center is a Truck Driving School. We highly recommend taking advantage of Company Sponsored Training on this forum. No up front money out of your pocket, and practically a guaranteed job once you pass the skills and road test. Usually a one year commitment to drive for the Company that trained you is required. Keep the 5 or 6 thousand dollars that the driving school wants to charge you in the bank. Peruse this site for tons of info. Also, check out these links:
- Truck Driver's Career Guide
- Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
- High Road CDL Training Program
- CDL Practice Tests
High Road CDL Training ProgramPaid CDL Training ProgramsApply For Paid CDL Training
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.
Company Sponsored Training:
A Company-Sponsored Training Program is a school that is owned and operated by a trucking company.
The schooling often requires little or no money up front. Instead of paying up-front tuition you will sign an agreement to work for the company for a specified amount of time after graduation, usually around a year, at a slightly lower rate of pay in order to pay for the training.
If you choose to quit working for the company before your year is up, they will normally require you to pay back a prorated amount of money for the schooling. The amount you pay back will be comparable to what you would have paid if you went to an independently owned school.
Company-sponsored training can be an excellent way to get your career underway if you can't afford the tuition up front for private schooling.
Mia, I've got a question for you. Have they given you any indication of what type job you'll be doing for U.S. Express?
You want to start your trucking career as an over the road driver. Don't let them rope you into doing a "dollar store" account. That's the one stipulation I'd put on this situation. I know U.S. Express services those dollar stores and they're willing to put rookies in those positions. It's an extremely difficult way to start this career.
Over The Road:
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.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.New Reply:
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I’m considering going to Driver Resource Center, and the trucking company that they want to pair me with after training is US Xpress. Should I run for the hills or go ahead with that program.