Military Drivers, CDL Waiver, Starting At Prime
Topic 30299 | Page 1
First off, thank you for your service. I'd recommend you read the cdl manual (if you already haven't) as its full of a ton of excellent information. The High Road CDL Training Program is the best out there in my opinion. With TNT you and your trainer will be dispatched as a team. Some of our members who have trained said they'll typically run solo with the trainer in the seat next to you until they're comfortable with your driving. The trainer will be sleeping most of the time you're driving (and vice versa) but wake them up when you get to a shipper/receiver or get yourself into trouble. You know how to operate a large vehicle but it's nice to have someone there to help get you out of a bind. I'm guessing you didn't need to deal with hours of service with the military but its really not difficult. It's far easier to understand when you see it, and your ELD does all the calculations for you.
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.
Shipper:
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.
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.
I'd recommend you read the cdl manual (if you already haven't) as its full of a ton of excellent information. The High Road CDL Training Program is the best out there in my opinion. With TNT you and your trainer will be dispatched as a team. Some of our members who have trained said they'll typically run solo with the trainer in the seat next to you until they're comfortable with your driving.
Thanks. This is exactly the kind of info I am looking for. I did read the manual because I had to take the written tests and I’m getting ready to take my tanker endorsement test. So far it has been easy for me. I’m a fast learner if I’m doing it I just don’t want to be thrown under the bus while a trainer is sleeping or something because I didn’t know.
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.
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.
Welcome to the forum and to Prime.
I have a pretty detailed diary of my flatbed TNT:
As in the military, be prepared to eat your soup with a fork.
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.
As in the military, be prepared to eat your soup with a fork.
Everyone knows that’s the only way to eat soup. Lol
I read your entire training diary and your thread about being solo. It really helped me understand what I’m getting into. It was incredibly detailed which I appreciated. I’m definitely doing my research. I’m just not afraid to ask if I don’t see an answer right away. I discovered this forum months ago but I was planning on starting my own hotshot business at the time. Decided against it because of the economy. Anyway, I appreciate all the info I can get. Thanks again.
P. S. I’m looking for a mentor if you are into it Rob.
Welcome to the Trucking Truth site!
I don't pull flatbed, or drive at Prime, but I did do the military for a few years.
More than happy to help out a budding flatbedder and primate.
You can also eat soup as a sandwich 
DWI:
Driving While Intoxicated
Just got off the phone with my recruiter. Looks like I’ll be going in for orientation beginning of July. She is confirming my application and then I’ll know for sure I guess. She told me that since I already have my CDL I’ll have to do a week or so of training and a skills evaluation before starting TNT. This is not false humility, I have very few skills to evaluate. I can drive a large military vehicle. That’s about it. Any videos or material out there I should be studying to get prepared? Also any recommendations on flatbed trainers? I want to learn as much as possible as I hate being unprepared. Thanks in advance.
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.
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.
Just got off the phone with my recruiter. Looks like I’ll be going in for orientation beginning of July. She is confirming my application and then I’ll know for sure I guess. She told me that since I already have my CDL I’ll have to do a week or so of training and a skills evaluation before starting TNT. This is not false humility, I have very few skills to evaluate. I can drive a large military vehicle. That’s about it. Any videos or material out there I should be studying to get prepared? Also any recommendations on flatbed trainers? I want to learn as much as possible as I hate being unprepared. Thanks in advance.
Howdy, SweetLew, and CONGRATS!!!
Read Turtle's Prime diary on TT.
Read Rob D.'s / Chief Brody's Prime diary on TT.
Both can be found in a search by member query.
Kearsey (Truckin Along with Kearsey) is a moderator on TT, and trainer with Prime, as well.
She has a cache of videos, here: Kearsey's Prime Videos!!
Best wishes; keep us posted!!!!!!
~ 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.
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.
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So I’m coming from the military and I recently got my CDL using the skills waiver. However, I have no experience other than driving military trucks. Anyone who has driven in the military knows it’s a different world. I’m going through the hiring process with Prime and my recruiter said I would be in a C seat. I guess that means I go straight into TNT. I’m wanting to go flatbed and I’m wondering if my experience in the military truly is enough to get me started. Are they any veterans on here with experience in this area, especially with Prime flatbed? I apologize if this has been addressed already, I just couldn’t find it.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
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.