A Few Steps Closer...

Topic 3499 | Page 1

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6 string rhythm's Comment
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Got back from vacation Sunday night. Knew this was going to be a busy week. Yesterday I got my DOT physical and drug test done - 2 year medical card received. BP 120 / 72 - guess my diet, running, and push ups have been paying off! Today I took my wife and little girl down to PennDot and got my application for CDL permit w/ endorsements taken care of and paid for.

School starts this coming Monday. I'll need to go back to PennDot to take tests. I wanted to take my tests while I got my app for permit, but after a week of vacation, figured I'd rather freshen up on the material to make sure I aced the tests. Besides the permit test, I'll be taking the tests for the hazmat , doubles/triples, and tank endorsements. The school needs students to have their permit by the second week. First week is class time dedicated to prepare for permit / endorsement(s) tests, and some maneuvering in the yard. They actually have docks to be used in the yard since the school bought an old truck terminal - very cool for practicing!

After three years of deliberation, I can't believe this is really happening! My wife and I are very excited!!! I'm soaking up as much time as possible with my little girl while I'm still working from home and being Mr. Mom. Graduation will be the first week of July since I'm taking an 8 week evening course. We're hoping I'll be hired and on the road in training by mid-late July.

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

Terminal:

A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.

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.

Doubles:

Refers to pulling two trailers at the same time, otherwise known as "pups" or "pup trailers" because they're only about 28 feet long. However there are some states that allow doubles that are each 48 feet in length.

Wine Taster's Comment
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Awesome man! You will get hired before finishing school is my bet!

ThinksTooMuch's Comment
member avatar

Glad to hear Bill. Remember not to get discouraged, there will be days you shine and days you regress. Get those pre-hires rolling soon as you can, if you haven't already.

Pre-hire:

What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?

Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.

We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.

A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment

The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.

During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.

Pre-hires:

What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?

Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.

We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.

A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment

The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.

During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.

HOS:

Hours Of Service

HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
6 string rhythm's Comment
member avatar

Thanks for the encouragement guys.

ThinksTooMuch - I'll keep your number in my phone, especially once I get to driving. Would be great to have somebody to chat w/ from time to time.

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