OTR Or Local/regional To Start Off?
Topic 30069 | Page 1
Hello everyone ! I’m making the big switch from nursing to driving trucks for a while. So I’m a rookie ! (Sounds odd I know) I was going in between going OTR to get the experience or a dedicated local route specifically to Texas for Schneider. Any advice is appreciated! It’s all new plus being a female so thanks 😊
Howdy, Alexus !! Welcome to Trucking Truth!
SO many men AND women have been making similar switches lately . . . my buddy Don was a nurse, and started with CFI OTR and eventually went local with my hubby person. Also, another example is Jared ; he's doing something similar to which you are speaking of, with SNI himself.
You can look up their threads/posts, by each's username; it'll be very helpful to ya! Additionally, we recommend new members/drivers start with our 'starter pack' of invaluable 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
Brett's book (2nd link down) is AWESOME!!
Hope to see you back SOON, and as a whole, we DO recommend starting OTR first. Read around here, especially posts from Old School, and you'll see why~!!
Best wishes~ see ya soon, with any questions/comments for the pro's / mods, in the morning!
~ Anne ~
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.
What is the regional account? If it's a dollar account, we do not recommend that for new drivers. The backing is more difficult an you have to unload and load the trailer. We always recommend starting OTR with a company, like CFI who offer Paid CDL Training Programs.
These programs are free or very inexpensive because the company is investing in you.
Hope that helps. Good luck.
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.
Regional:
Regional Route
Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.
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.
It would be a dedicated Walmart account only going to the warehouses around Texas. It’s .61 cpm with $25 every stop and short haul pay of .10-.40. It averages Around 1200-1400 miles per week. Home time daily. I was wondering if that’s a good starting point so I can get use to the truck :) thanks everyone for advice so far!
What is the regional account? If it's a dollar account, we do not recommend that for new drivers. The backing is more difficult an you have to unload and load the trailer. We always recommend starting OTR with a company, like CFI who offer Paid CDL Training Programs.
These programs are free or very inexpensive because the company is investing in you.
Hope that helps. Good luck.
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.
Regional:
Regional Route
Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.
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.
CPM:
Cents Per Mile
Drivers are often paid by the mile and it's given in cents per mile, or cpm.
Sounds like store deliveries. You might want to get that clarified. It’s far more challenging than you might think...
I'd stay away from those dollar store type of accounts or food service if your new , waaay too much risk involved with too little experience. It's a lot of physical work as well and the days are just as long . I'd don't think I'd ever really recomend those anyway . Had a buddy who did it for some time and his back is shot . It CAN pay well though but it's definitely a tough grind everyday . I did some local training for a minute and it was no joke . I stayed safe and had no incidents but again I was fortunate but had to leave before too long . Regional would be a good way to go . It does give you a bit of a more "stable " schedule if that's important to you.
Regional:
Regional Route
Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
So it would be 99 percent no touch freight if that helps ??
I'd stay away from those dollar store type of accounts or food service if your new , waaay too much risk involved with too little experience. It's a lot of physical work as well and the days are just as long . I'd don't think I'd ever really recomend those anyway . Had a buddy who did it for some time and his back is shot . It CAN pay well though but it's definitely a tough grind everyday . I did some local training for a minute and it was no joke . I stayed safe and had no incidents but again I was fortunate but had to leave before too long . Regional would be a good way to go . It does give you a bit of a more "stable " schedule if that's important to you.
Regional:
Regional Route
Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
A Walmart account might be ok. I would double check to see if they accept brand new drivers.
Still, you best bet is one year OTR with any company. Then switch with more experience.
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.
Sounds like store deliveries. You might want to get that clarified. It’s far more challenging than you might think...
That's exactly what I am thinking.. Store runs with potential back hauls to the DC from local vendors.Walmart uses many different 3d party carriers to move freight along with corporate drivers. Last time I checked Walmart corporate requires company drivers to have 5 years experience and clean MVR.
MVR:
Motor Vehicle Record
An MVR is a report of your driving history, as reported from your state Department of Motor Vehicles. Information on this report may include Drivers License information, point history, violations, convictions, and license status on your driving record.
Walmart requires 30 months experience, no more than 2 moving violations in the last 3 years, no serious moving violations while operating a cmv in the last 3 years.
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
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Hello everyone ! I’m making the big switch from nursing to driving trucks for a while. So I’m a rookie ! (Sounds odd I know) I was going in between going OTR to get the experience or a dedicated local route specifically to Texas for Schneider. Any advice is appreciated! It’s all new plus being a female so thanks 😊
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.