Returning To OTR From Class B
Topic 28482 | Page 1
- Trucker's Career Guide: Choosing Your First Truck Driving Job
- Article Category: Finding The Right Truck Driving Job
- Forum Topics Tagged "Choosing A Trucking Company"
Hello Buster! It looks like no one responded yet, so I took a moment. At trucking truth we reccomend company paid and sponsored training. Theres a myriad of issues one can walk into by attending a private truck school (like me). You'll get your CDL or in your case get refreshed but your CDL A is more than likely going to be considered stale (at least for the class A equipment) which might make getting hired more difficult. If you apply to the co.pa IRS via the link I sent you, it will shoot an application to many companies and from there just inform them you have the CDL A and exactly how long it's been since you used it. They would essentially treat you as a new driver minus the state skills test (as you obviously have the license) and give you one of their own I believe so that you can demonstrate competency. The good thing is you would also have a guaranteed job should things go well so it eliminates the stress and hassle of trying to find a job with a stale CDL A. I personally strongly reccomend the company training method as it will often eliminate the biggest stressors besides your skills testing - FINDING A JOB. Does no good going through all that with your own money if you cant find a job or land at a small mom and pop shop and get let go because of 1 preventable accident or something. The bigger carriers are simply set up to train or in your case retrain better. I wish you the best buster, stick around this forum there are good folks here who have helped me tremendously. Moe
For the past 4 years I’ve been driving Class B vehicles, but I’m thinking about returning to OTR. I still hold my Class A with air brakes & tanker endorsements. I know I’ll be starting over, so I figure I’ll start with one of the big boys. My question is — is it possible to start with a mentoring program (like they do with new graduates), or do I need to start from the very beginning and attend trucking school again?
Two years ago I was all set to go back with Warner, but I was headhunted with an offer I couldn’t refuse. Since then I’ve moved from San Francisco to a small town in southeastern Arizona, and I’m concerned that is going to limit my options.
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.
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
Some companies may allow you to jump in to the mentoring phase, others will want you to go through school again. Your best bet is to Apply For Truck Driving Jobs and see what each company wants.
New Reply:
New! Check out our help videos for a better understanding of our forum features
Preview:
Why Join Trucking Truth?
- The High Road Training Program
- The High Road Article Series
- The Friendliest Trucker's Forum Ever!
- Email Updates When New Articles Are Posted
Apply For Paid CDL Training Through TruckingTruth
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:
TT On Facebook
For the past 4 years I’ve been driving Class B vehicles, but I’m thinking about returning to OTR. I still hold my Class A with air brakes & tanker endorsements. I know I’ll be starting over, so I figure I’ll start with one of the big boys. My question is — is it possible to start with a mentoring program (like they do with new graduates), or do I need to start from the very beginning and attend trucking school again?
Two years ago I was all set to go back with Warner, but I was headhunted with an offer I couldn’t refuse. Since then I’ve moved from San Francisco to a small town in southeastern Arizona, and I’m concerned that is going to limit my options.
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.