How In The "BLANK" Do I Get Going

Topic 31402 | Page 1

Page 1 of 2 Next Page Go To Page:
KNOX's Comment
member avatar

Hi guys & gals!

Need some advice here.

A couple of things 1.) - I have no time whatsoever behind the wheel. 2.) - I was told and have received my CLP (Commercial Learners Permit) ***allows me to drive evidently? 3.) - There was an add at our local DOT who would train me on 1 day, test with DOT on Day 2. ***Well, that day (1/24 and 1/25 (today) came and went. Why? No drive time, no time behind the wheel at all! ***So, the guy that will train me for 1 day and test the 2nd has moved these dates back 1 month

My question is this:

"How do I find someone who will essentially let me drive with them to log time/hours behind the wheel?" "Secondly, who in the hell in their right mind would do this?" "What part of this equation am I missing?"

HELP! :)

DOT:

Department Of Transportation

A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.

State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.

CLP:

Commercial Learner's Permit

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.

PackRat's Comment
member avatar

What is your plan upon having a CDL?

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.
Pacific Pearl's Comment
member avatar

Your best bet is to find a truck driving school in your area that offers additional training outside of the CDL course. They'll have insurance for letting student drivers drive their trucks and instructors on standby (to drive with a CLP you must have a CDL holder in the truck). The going rate for a truck and instructor in my neck of the woods (PNW) is about ~$800/day.

If you go that route and if you're successful you'll have another problem - you won't have a 160-hour training certificate. The certificate is a requirement for most entry level driving jobs. Most insurers require it. Fun fact: hiring decisions aren't made guy who owns the truck, they're made by the guy who insures the truck. You can still get a job without one, but you won't have many choices.

You're grandfathered from the new training rules until your CLP permit expires. If you're not successful in earning your CDL before then you'll be subject to the new rules and forced to attend a course from an FMCSA registered training provider to get your CDL.

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.

CSA:

Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)

The CSA is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are related to commercial motor vehicle

FMCSA:

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

The FMCSA was established within the Department of Transportation on January 1, 2000. Their primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries.

What Does The FMCSA Do?

  • Commercial Drivers' Licenses
  • Data and Analysis
  • Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement
  • Research and Technology
  • Safety Assistance
  • Support and Information Sharing

DOT:

Department Of Transportation

A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.

State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.

Fm:

Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager

The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.

CLP:

Commercial Learner's Permit

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.

Jimmie W.'s Comment
member avatar

Your best bet is to find a truck driving school in your area that offers additional training outside of the CDL course. They'll have insurance for letting student drivers drive their trucks and instructors on standby (to drive with a CLP you must have a CDL holder in the truck). The going rate for a truck and instructor in my neck of the woods (PNW) is about ~$800/day.

If you go that route and if you're successful you'll have another problem - you won't have a 160-hour training certificate. The certificate is a requirement for most entry level driving jobs. Most insurers require it. Fun fact: hiring decisions aren't made guy who owns the truck, they're made by the guy who insures the truck. You can still get a job without one, but you won't have many choices.

You're grandfathered from the new training rules until your CLP permit expires. If you're not successful in earning your CDL before then you'll be subject to the new rules and forced to attend a course from an FMCSA registered training provider to get your CDL.

A trainer/company in my area can test and pass drivers so that they don't have to test again at DMV. For $600 I can take the driving test until I pass it up to 6 times. For $2,000 I can get 10 hours of in-truck instruction & the testing. I know I need experience but hate to spend $2,000. Once I get my CDL I, too, will have no experience and may have a tough time getting a job......

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.

CSA:

Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)

The CSA is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are related to commercial motor vehicle

FMCSA:

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

The FMCSA was established within the Department of Transportation on January 1, 2000. Their primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries.

What Does The FMCSA Do?

  • Commercial Drivers' Licenses
  • Data and Analysis
  • Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement
  • Research and Technology
  • Safety Assistance
  • Support and Information Sharing

DOT:

Department Of Transportation

A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.

State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.

Dm:

Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager

The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.

Fm:

Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager

The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.

DMV:

Department of Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Motor Vehicles

The state agency that handles everything related to your driver's licences, including testing, issuance, transfers, and revocation.

CLP:

Commercial Learner's Permit

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.

Big Scott's Comment
member avatar

Those one day places are almost a scam. Sure it's legal, however you will need a 160 hour training certificate to get hired by most companies.

Companies like CFI and many others will train you for free or very little money.

Good luck.

HOS:

Hours Of Service

HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Anne A. (and sometimes To's Comment
member avatar

Those one day places are almost a scam. Sure it's legal, however you will need a 160 hour training certificate to get hired by most companies.

Companies like CFI and many others will train you for free or very little money.

Good luck.

The ELDT Mandate goes into effect on 2/7/22 ~ ELDT Rule.

Best Wishes;

~ 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.

HOS:

Hours Of Service

HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Pacific Pearl's Comment
member avatar

Those one day places are almost a scam.

They have their place, just like 1099 employment. The problem comes when someone says, "How hard can it be to get a CDL" and tries to get one that way (Admittedly, their marketing does fuel this fantasy). It's sort of like trying to win your girlfriend a stuffed animal at the county fair ring toss - you end up spending $100 to win a stuffed animal you could have gotten for $6 at WalMart. While the new ELDT mandate will stop people from trying to get their license that way these schools will still be around to help those who fail their drive tests AFTER they complete a course from a registered training provider.

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.

Dm:

Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager

The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.

HOS:

Hours Of Service

HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Anne A. (and sometimes To's Comment
member avatar

Hi guys & gals!

Need some advice here.

A couple of things:

1.) - I have no time whatsoever behind the wheel.

2.) - I was told and have received my CLP (Commercial Learners Permit)

***allows me to drive evidently?

3.) - There was an add at our local DOT who would train me on 1 day, test with DOT on Day 2.

***Well, that day (1/24 and 1/25 (today) came and went. Why? No drive time, no time behind the wheel at all!

***So, the guy that will train me for 1 day and test the 2nd has moved these dates back 1 month

My question is this:

"How do I find someone who will essentially let me drive with them to log time/hours behind the wheel?"

"Secondly, who in the hell in their right mind would do this?"

"What part of this equation am I missing?"

HELP! :)

Knox, if you read the link I included above; your 'teacher of the road' person isn't going to work, in a month.

Have you tried the 'tried & true' way of obtaining your CDLA?

Paid CDL Training Programs

Apply For Paid CDL Training

ps: Double space (as I did with your post above,) and things will appear as you wish.

Again, Best!

~ 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.

DOT:

Department Of Transportation

A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.

State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.

CLP:

Commercial Learner's Permit

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.

ChrisEMT's Comment
member avatar

My suggestion would be to either go to a local school that offers a 160 hour course (most major carriers require this due to insurance reasons, AND they also offer tuition reimbursement over a certain length of time, do it will cost you nothing after your commitment) or, you can contact most major carriers that offer company paid training, and they will train you for free in exchange for a contracted term of employment. This latter will get you the training to get your CDL and at least your first year (full 12 months) minimum experience (time contract varies from company to company, but usually at least 12 or 13 months). A word of caution, if you leave before your contract is up, you more than likely will have to pay the company their cost to train you. After you finish your contract, you will have the 1 year minimum experience to go to another company, or if you stay with the company you contracted with, more proverbial doors will open for you for dedicated accounts and earnings potential.... you can look on this site for company sponsored training to see what is available and what the requirements are..... Brett (and the admins) have done a great job compiling the info and do their best to keep it updated......

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.

Dm:

Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager

The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.

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.

KNOX's Comment
member avatar

All- This is why I love this website / forum...to bounce this stuff off people who have knowledge, wisdom, and advice. Much thanks to you all!

Long story short, I'm headed back to college after all these years! 43 and frankly, never to young to learn from the best. Went yesterday and enrolled at our local trade school (Western Iowa Tech) here in Sioux City, Iowa for the 6 week driver trainer course. Classroom, simulator, and hours of on the road training.

Not 100% sure yet, but I've been told we drive/test on a double clutch.

Thanks again...time to move forward!

Double Clutch:

To engage and then disengage the clutch twice for every gear change.

When double clutching you will push in the clutch, take the gearshift out of gear, release the clutch, press the clutch in again, shift the gearshift into the next gear, then release the clutch.

This is done on standard transmissions which do not have synchronizers in them, like those found in almost all Class A trucks.

Page 1 of 2 Next Page Go To Page:

New Reply:

New! Check out our help videos for a better understanding of our forum features

Bold
Italic
Underline
Quote
Photo
Link
Smiley
Links On TruckingTruth


example: TruckingTruth Homepage



example: https://www.truckingtruth.com
Submit
Cancel
Upload New Photo
Please enter a caption of one sentence or less:

Click on any of the buttons below to insert a link to that section of TruckingTruth:

Getting Started In Trucking High Road Training Program Company-Sponsored Training Programs Apply For Company-Sponsored Training Truck Driver's Career Guide Choosing A School Choosing A Company Truck Driving Schools Truck Driving Jobs Apply For Truck Driving Jobs DOT Physical Drug Testing Items To Pack Pre-Hire Letters CDL Practice Tests Trucking Company Reviews Brett's Book Leasing A Truck Pre-Trip Inspection Learn The Logbook Rules Sleep Apnea
Done
Done

0 characters so far - 5,500 maximum allowed.
Submit Preview

Preview:

Submit
Cancel

Why Join Trucking Truth?

We have an awesome set of tools that will help you understand the trucking industry and prepare for a great start to your trucking career. Not only that, but everything we offer here at TruckingTruth is 100% free - no strings attached! Sign up now and get instant access to our member's section:
High Road Training Program Logo
  • 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:

Apply For Paid CDL Training