How Soon Should I Apply To Companies?

Topic 3419 | Page 1

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Yolanda G.'s Comment
member avatar

I am a woman and feel that I've learned other things so I should be able to learn this. I made it through basic training, college and working with dangerous microbes as a microbiologist. I'm 38. I want a definite job right out of the gate so I think that going with a company and being on contract is the safest bet. I also don't want to take out a loan, so that lines up with going with a company contract as well.

I have just signed up to the CDL course here at TruckingTruth. How long should I study that before I start applying to companies? I ask that because I want to have my permit and to be very confident of passing the written test before I start training. Can you apply and then ask to start training a month down the line? I would like to know that I'm already accepted into training and then start studying.

Also, I keep reading online that you can be fired if you drive over 11 hours and that your hours are tracked digitally. Yet, I read that you are encouraged to drive longer hours. I would prefer to stick to the 11 hours. What's the truth? What companies stick to the 11 hour rule?

If push comes to shove I'll do what I have to do but I would prefer to stick to the rules.

Thanks.

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.
Scott B.'s Comment
member avatar

I would start applying to company sponsored schools as early as possible. If you are accepted, they will ask you when you can start. Most have new classes starting every Monday. If you feel you need an extra week or 2 to obtain your permit just give them start date accordingly.

As for running illegal, go ahead and put that out of your mind. I know of no companies with their own schools that don't run e-logs. With an e-log it will be reported to both you and your company if you even attempt to run illegally. With CSA in place I highly doubt anyone will try to pressure you to run illegal. Running maximum allowable hours might be a different story.

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

Starcar's Comment
member avatar

Welcome to TT Yolanda !!!! you can study here, and it will definitely serve you well for your permit test, and endorsements..But until you choose what cdl school you are going thru, it may not be necessary. SOme schools want you to have your cdl permit from your state when you come to school, some want you to get them in school, some want you to get them in the state the school is in....So now you see that you need to appy for those schools !!! Then, when you pick your school, you ask them what they need you to do about your permit and endorsements...So use this link...How To Choose A School...then use this link to help choose a school Company-Sponsored Training

And of course, we are always here to help in any way we can !!!!!! Be sure and come check out the Ladies of Trucking forum...theres some ladies over there doin' what you are doin'..and we are throwin' around ideas, asking and answering questions, and basically having a good time !!!! Yeah...we know the guys lurk in there, and sometimes they even post....but we know how they are , and suffer thru them smile.gif

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.

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.

HOS:

Hours Of Service

HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.

OWI:

Operating While Intoxicated

OOS:

When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.

Yolanda G.'s Comment
member avatar

Thanks for your replies. I went to get my mvr today. I got the three year report. The guy there told me that it is cheaper to get my DOT medical examine at PriMed. Also, that after May 20th medical examiners will have to be certified. He said that I won't be able to use Primed after that date. From my reading it looks like this industry is going through a lot of changes.

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.

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.

guyjax(Guy Hodges)'s Comment
member avatar

Thee trucking industry has Been going through changes since the first load of freight was going down dirt roads. New regulations and rules are always cropping up. So don't let any of that stuff scare ya. It's pretty normal.

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