Thinking About Trucking Or Not
Topic 5182 | Page 1
Michael, welcome aboard! Trucking is truly more of a lifestyle than it is a job. If you've got a little bit of a gypsy heart in you then it can work for you. You can learn a lot about this lifestyle and get a better understanding of the career by reading through our Truck Driver's Career Guide and the free on line copy of Brett's Book. That is where I would start - you'll find answers to your questions and probably have new questions you haven't thought about yet after perusing those links.
I love this job. It is a second career for me after being self employed for 30 years. There's a lot of ways to be creative with the management of your time, and you really are in control of how successful you will be by being proactive in making the proper daily decisions that lead to success.
Again, welcome and feel free to ask us anything you're curious about. We will do our best to lead you in the right direction.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
If you want to do it for the lifestyle, I say go for it. The money's not great starting out. I made more money driving local strait trucks (non-CDL) but I love OTR. Although I stay so busy I don't spend as much money, so making less doesn't hurt so bad.
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.
New Reply:
New! Check out our help videos for a better understanding of our forum features
Preview:
Why Join Trucking Truth?
- The High Road Training Program
- The High Road Article Series
- The Friendliest Trucker's Forum Ever!
- Email Updates When New Articles Are Posted
Apply For Paid CDL Training Through TruckingTruth
Did you know you can fill out one quick form here on TruckingTruth and apply to several companies at once for paid CDL training? Seriously! The application only takes one minute. You will speak with recruiters today. There is no obligation whatsoever. Learn more and apply here:
TT On Facebook
I'm 53 6kids all either in college or military, years ago I drove for a county DOT 5 ton dump, and when I say years CDL's were just being put in place if I remember correctly. The only true driver I know was a patron of mine ( I'm a part owner of a sports bar) and I believe he is considered a regional driver gone Sunday night back home the following Thursday any how the job I'm in I took based on benefits, three of my kids are not mine by law, but they are my wife's, the company I'm with allowed me to carry them on my health insurance, the pay is o.k.. So for the last 13 years we've struggled like most or some(?) but I feel a change is due for the boss and myself. I know I enjoyed driving back in the day, even got to go through a Friday late afternoon break down waiting for a mechanic 230pm and I was suppose to be off at 3pm 1.5 away from the shop (sucked) I figure I still have another 15 left in me, OTR seems intriguing but as Pop use to say" your eyes are bigger than your stomach" Ha . To see the country, travel, you guys and gals got the life... Oh am I forgetting, would help if I could actually handle the driving part. So sitting in my office pondering, reaching out for advise.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
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.
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.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated