School's Out- Training Time Over- And I Set Out As A Solo Driver!
Topic 4203 | Page 1
Dear Friends,
I set out a couple of months ago to start a new career at 56 yrs old. I needed the mobility of trucking because of the age of my parents and my wife's. I finished 4 weeks of school and passed my CDL test. I spent almost 3 weeks with a trainer and passed my audition last Thursday and was assigned my own truck. It is a "well used" 04 Freightliner Columbia but seems to run OK. 12.7 liters of Detroit diesel. Not a DD15, but I'll work up to that.
Sunday morning I'll set out on my first solo run to Ohio. I hope I don't make any bonehead mistakes. I am as ready as I can be to take this on.
I can't wait to be able to take my dog along. She has been giving me the cold shoulder since I started all this, since she was my traveling companion for over 4 years. She hates it when I leave without her. So do I.
Wish me well!
Wayne
Congratulations! I hope to be joining you in a few months.
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.
Well, I made it through my first week as a solo driver, so this is the last post on this thread. I made every bonehead mistake I could make- some because of an outdated GPS. That gets updated tonight.
There's no blood or foreign paint on tractor or trailers.
So I guess i did OK.
They tell me I'll get better, and it will be easier.
God, I hope so.
Wayne
I made every bonehead mistake I could make- some because of an outdated GPS.
Wayne, can you tell us more about your first week mistakes? I've finished my college CDL program, but I haven't been hired by anyone yet, and I'd like to know what to look out for. 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.
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Dear Friends,
I set out a couple of months ago to start a new career at 56 yrs old. I needed the mobility of trucking because of the age of my parents and my wife's. I finished 4 weeks of school and passed my CDL test. I spent almost 3 weeks with a trainer and passed my audition last Thursday and was assigned my own truck. It is a "well used" 04 Freightliner Columbia but seems to run OK. 12.7 liters of Detroit diesel. Not a DD15, but I'll work up to that.
Sunday morning I'll set out on my first solo run to Ohio. I hope I don't make any bonehead mistakes. I am as ready as I can be to take this on.
I can't wait to be able to take my dog along. She has been giving me the cold shoulder since I started all this, since she was my traveling companion for over 4 years. She hates it when I leave without her. So do I.
Wish me well!
Wayne
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles: