Haven't Drove In 5 Years
Topic 34775 | Page 1
I just have a hard time seeing any reputable company hiring you without some recent experience or training. I could be wrong, but I think you'll need to go through a refresher course at minimum.
Have you kept your D.O T. physical up to date? Your license can get downgraded without that physical being kept current.
EPU:
Electric Auxiliary Power Units
Electric APUs have started gaining acceptance. These electric APUs use battery packs instead of the diesel engine on traditional APUs as a source of power. The APU's battery pack is charged when the truck is in motion. When the truck is idle, the stored energy in the battery pack is then used to power an air conditioner, heater, and other devices
I drove otr for 3 years and i drove in the oil field for 1 year. I kept made sure to keep my cdl current and clean over the past 5 years. I stopped driving so i can have some time with my family. Now i am ready to get back into the truck. I want to start hauling oil at the port of Houston so i would have to get a twic and hazmat endorsement (again) I am wondering do i need to get a refresher course or is there a company out there that would take me as is?
If you're looking to get back into hauling oil, you'll need to get your TWIC and Hazmat endorsements again. Some companies may require a refresher course , but many will hire experienced drivers like you without one, especially if your CDL is still clean and current. Check with companies like Schneider, Halliburton, or local port carriers to see what they require. Just make sure you're good to go with a DOT physical and drug test. Reaching out directly will give you the best idea of what’s needed.
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.
HAZMAT:
Hazardous Materials
Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts of especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under HAZMAT regulations
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.
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.
TWIC:
Transportation Worker Identification Credential
Truck drivers who regularly pick up from or deliver to the shipping ports will often be required to carry a TWIC card.
Your TWIC is a tamper-resistant biometric card which acts as both your identification in secure areas, as well as an indicator of you having passed the necessary security clearance. TWIC cards are valid for five years. The issuance of TWIC cards is overseen by the Transportation Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security.
I believe you'll need to complete the hazmat Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) course before retaking the hazmat endorsement test. You can do this online.
HAZMAT:
Hazardous Materials
Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts of especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under HAZMAT regulations
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I drove otr for 3 years and i drove in the oil field for 1 year. I kept made sure to keep my cdl current and clean over the past 5 years. I stopped driving so i can have some time with my family. Now i am ready to get back into the truck. I want to start hauling oil at the port of Houston so i would have to get a twic and hazmat endorsement (again) I am wondering do i need to get a refresher course or is there a company out there that would take me as is?
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
HAZMAT:
Hazardous Materials
Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts of especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under HAZMAT regulations
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.
TWIC:
Transportation Worker Identification Credential
Truck drivers who regularly pick up from or deliver to the shipping ports will often be required to carry a TWIC card.
Your TWIC is a tamper-resistant biometric card which acts as both your identification in secure areas, as well as an indicator of you having passed the necessary security clearance. TWIC cards are valid for five years. The issuance of TWIC cards is overseen by the Transportation Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security.