Soon To Be Driver Needs Help
Topic 7837 | Page 1
Michael, welcome to the forum!
It's a little, well it can be a lot, confusing when trying to get started in truck driving, we understand. That is why Brett has set up such a user friendly place as this to help you out. Here's what you should start out doing - take a look at our Truck Driver's Career Guide, read through that material and follow all the links you come across. You are going to learn a ton of stuff by doing that, and I think it will begin to ease your mind about some of the unknown things that are troubling you.
Next thing you can start doing is taking a look at Company-Sponsored Training Company-Sponsored Training programs. These are companies that will train you and even pay you while you are being trained. We have a lot of drivers in here who have gone this route, it is easy on your wallet and you will get some very good training, plus a guaranteed job when you complete the training. You will have to make a commitment to working for them for a short period of time, but it is always best to try to stick with your first trucking job for at least one year anyway. Trust me, that first year will fly by and you won't even hardly believe it is done.
If you want to go to a private school and pay for your training you can find a good source of Truck Driving Schools at that link. It really makes little difference in which way you choose to go, but for many folks the company sponsored programs are more accessible due to the expense of the private training. Most of the private schools will assist you with job placement.
You asked about tolls. Most companies pay the tolls through the EZ pass method. I simply roll through the toll booths and get a green light that says paid - then I proceed and never give it a second thought. Occasionally some of the smaller trucking companies have their drivers pay tolls, but have and easy system of reimbursement in place so that you are not out a lot of money. Right now it should be the least of your concerns though. No company expects you to put out a lot of your own money for their equipment to be moving across the nations highways.
Michael, if you are interested you just might enjoy reading Brett's Book, it is a free on-line version of his book about being a trucker and it is easy to read and packed with great truck driving stories that illustrate what it's all about.
Again, welcome to the forum, and feel free to ask as many questions as you like - there are no dumb questions, and you don't have to duck for cover in this forum after you ask a question. We don't allow any smart alack replies, well maybe a few, as long as they are entertaining and not cruel or blatant falsehoods.
Welcome aboard!
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.
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.
hey guys my name is Michael I'm looking for a good CDL training school all the information is confusing not sure to look for what to look for with pay can I get some help pleasedo you have to pay for toll roads and Wayne and all that or does the company pay I'm very confused please help
Hey, Michael, welcome to Trucking Truth. This is the place to get all the Straight Dope on trucking.
Your first stop should be How To Choose A School. Then you can look into Company-Sponsored Training and Truck Driving Schools.
Also, start now to study for your CDL permit. Start studying here: High Road Training Program for the best CDL study system anywhere. Start this study tonight!
Then in your spare time, check out experiences of other trucking students here: CDL Training Diaries Forum
And, always ask questions here. Enjoy!
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.
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.
Michael, welcome to the forum!
It's a little, well it can be a lot, confusing when trying to get started in truck driving, we understand. That is why Brett has set up such a user friendly place as this to help you out. Here's what you should start out doing - take a look at our Truck Driver's Career Guide, read through that material and follow all the links you come across. You are going to learn a ton of stuff by doing that, and I think it will begin to ease your mind about some of the unknown things that are troubling you.
Next thing you can start doing is taking a look at Company-Sponsored Training Company-Sponsored Training programs. These are companies that will train you and even pay you while you are being trained. We have a lot of drivers in here who have gone this route, it is easy on your wallet and you will get some very good training, plus a guaranteed job when you complete the training. You will have to make a commitment to working for them for a short period of time, but it is always best to try to stick with your first trucking job for at least one year anyway. Trust me, that first year will fly by and you won't even hardly believe it is done.
If you want to go to a private school and pay for your training you can find a good source of Truck Driving Schools at that link. It really makes little difference in which way you choose to go, but for many folks the company sponsored programs are more accessible due to the expense of the private training. Most of the private schools will assist you with job placement.
You asked about tolls. Most companies pay the tolls through the EZ pass method. I simply roll through the toll booths and get a green light that says paid - then I proceed and never give it a second thought. Occasionally some of the smaller trucking companies have their drivers pay tolls, but have and easy system of reimbursement in place so that you are not out a lot of money. Right now it should be the least of your concerns though. No company expects you to put out a lot of your own money for their equipment to be moving across the nations highways.
Michael, if you are interested you just might enjoy reading Brett's Book, it is a free on-line version of his book about being a trucker and it is easy to read and packed with great truck driving stories that illustrate what it's all about.
Again, welcome to the forum, and feel free to ask as many questions as you like - there are no dumb questions, and you don't have to duck for cover in this forum after you ask a question. We don't allow any smart alack replies, well maybe a few, as long as they are entertaining and not cruel or blatant falsehoods.
Welcome aboard!
thank you very much thank you very much for the info I have been reading a lot just confused about what companies good and wants schools good and won't pay for starting driver is good
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.
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.
Micheal, Welcome to the world of trucking. I too am just starting out in this new lifestyle. You have landed on a goldmine of straight information from the truckers themselves. Where you live has a lot to do with where you will be able to go to school if planning on company sponsored training. Some companies only hire out of certain states and specific areas. I plan on going to CRST this June, I decided this after doing tons of research on many different companies. I have literally been to every website I could find in search of the real answers on trucking companies. I have found the good and the bad from every company I researched. Being ready to jump into this new lifestyle has a lot to do with whether you keep your mind in the right place. Keep reading everything there is in the forum and remember to have an open mind about some of the bad information you may stumble upon.
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.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.
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hey guys my name is Michael I'm looking for a good CDL training school all the information is confusing not sure to look for what to look for with pay can I get some help pleasedo you have to pay for toll roads and Wayne and all that or does the company pay I'm very confused please help
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles: