The Right Path
Topic 33914 | Page 1
Hi Douglas,
Do you already have a CDL-A? Truck driving experience?
I expect most of the drivers here, including me, will recommend that you get a job OTR as a company W2 driver. After about 1 year, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding a regional position keeping you in the Texas area. Lots of opportunities in Texas!
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.
I would strongly advise you to not buy a vehicle and try hot shoting. Those businesses fail at a extremely high rate as it is. With freight rates what they are now it will be financial suicide.
I agree with Bruce, get a safe year of CDL A under your belt and reevaluate.
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.
I think once ypu go CDL A you won't really want to do anything else. I talk to a lot of guys doing hotshot work, it's pretty miserable conditions for them, having a sleeper with an RV like experience is really nice.
As others recommended, best practices usually to go with company provided school and training and then go OTR.
You may actually find that you really enjoy OTR. A lot of people come into the industry with a stigma against it that's based upon bad stereotypes and misinformation. Until you actually do OTR for a while in a modern truck, you don't really know what it's like. It's also one of the quickest routes to consistently making solid money on flexible terms.
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.
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Hi all, I just hit 61 and decided that I had enough of what I was doing so here I am. I am in Phoenix and will most likely end up in central Texas in a year or so to be closer to my extended family. Myself, divorced with no obligations, free as one can be. I can pay my own way, do not like traffic so city living is not going to happen. I figured that I will put up with an OTR job to get some experience however, my goal is to drive central and west Texas, oilfield expedited, hot shot, flat bed. I might consider a tanker. I would like to hear from experienced drivers as to whether I am on the right path. Should I just buy a F550 with a GN and stick to 26k/lbs? 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.