Hello! I'm Starting School Monday!

Hello everyone! I'm new to trucking and am happy to be here! I've always loved the idea of trucking ever since I was little and now I'm finally 21 since may and decided to pull the trigger on trying it. i got my learner's permit and am going to start school Monday with cypress truck lines Inc in Jacksonville Florida doing flatbed regional. I'm very excited and a bit nervous. I've learned a crap ton in just four days since buying the drivingtests.org ccdl course and learned the learning never stops. thanks in advance for your hospitality.

Awesome! Will you be learning on an auto or manual?

Trucking is one of the most misunderstood careers. Most people entering the industry don't realize how much more is involved than just driving and picking up/delivering. In your first year you will want to quit many time. DON'T. Once you get the hang of it, it really becomes quite easy most of the time. Just don't get complacent because that's when bad things happen.

Please stick around, maybe make a diary so we can follow along on your journey of school and beyond. I can't recall any diaries about Cypress. There are also many expert flatbed drivers that contribute to this site that are more than willing to help in any way including questions about securement after training. High Road CDL Training Program has a great section on securement that you may find useful for future reference. Here's a thread that shows Flatbed variety

For now just focus on your schooling and obtaining your CDL. Good luck.

And inspiration, ive already been inspired many times on this site from some of you guys since I've made my account here on tt 2 years ago. all of just reading your posts and threads, this is my first time posting something. 😄

Good for you, young man. You have an opportunity at a young age to have a really great career. Starting school is time to double down on your focus, seriousness and concentration. Squeeze every bit of knowledge out of your instructors and printed material. Ask lots of questions and make sure you understand all the instruction. I for one look forward to hearing about your progress.

Thanks for finally coming on here and posting something. Good luck at Cypress!

Thanks so much for introducing yourself to us! It's great to have you out of the shadows. Feel free to join our conversations or ask questions of your own. We are glad to welcome you to this community and to the world of trucking.

Rob t, I will be learning on an automatic. I was kind of hoping itd be manual so I don't have the restriction on my cdl but oh well If need be I can work to remove that. it'll just be a pain in the but and probably cost some money. yes all the research I've done and videos I've watched did put what you said in my mind, that the first year is really hard and it sucks but I'm hoping to power through it. I ride a motorcycle and am always watching traffic so I'm hoping that'll be good for me in regards to the 4 wheelers I'll have to keep watch for on the road. thank you for the tips I'm very grateful for them and will keep everyone updated.

bk thank you, I I hope to stick around and grow in trucking and will be keeping all ears open.

g-town thank you sir I couldn't help myself but to post since Ive gotten a lot of good things from all the knowledgeable people on here kind enough to share it.

old school thank you for your kind welcome and I thought introducing myself is the least I could do.

I will keep everyone updated! I'm still trying to figure out where to post updates on my journey. should I start another thread and use that for updates? I don't really do social media I was raised a bit different than todays generation. 😂

When you are beginning the school portion to get the CDL , start a new thread over in the Training Diaries Section.

I'm just finishing up school, trying to get the CDL , and my advice would be - take a look at the CDL test, and learn each section of it. The school might not teach to the test, but I sure wish mine had!

Oh and practice right hand turns... they are a pain! But you will get it.

My school went over the DMV CDL handbook for my state during the 1st week. They sent us to the DMV to get tested for the permit on Friday. I got my permit on Thursday after school so I could come in at 10AM instead of 5:30AM. I finished all my ELDT training before I started class, though. My ELDT training was all online and had to be finished by the end of the 2nd week, which is before you go onto the driving range.

The pre-trip inspection is definitely the most memory intensive part. Make sure to learn your pre-trip inspection the way your school wants you to, because that's exactly how you're going to be tested. In my school you have to get 74 out of 91 right to pass. Each part has to be described and you have to get the entire description right. One example would be Lug Nuts: Properly mounted and secure, all are present, no signs or metal shaving, discoloration, rust trails or distortion which may indicate they’re loose. No distortion or cracks around holes. I will have to point to where the lug nuts are and say that entire description out loud in its entirety or I will be docked a point. That's 1 out of 91 parts to identify, locate and describe.