Beginner Here
Topic 7920 | Page 1
Hello Jeremy and welcome aboard!
If you'll read our Truck Driver's Career Guide it will give you a lot of insight on this career, and if you're interested you might want to read Brett's Book, it's a free online version that is full of stories about life on the road and what it's like being an over the road truck driver.
It's a great idea to go ahead and start studying now, and I would encourage you to go ahead and get your permit. You can easily prepare yourself for this by working your way through our High Road Training Program. It's absolutely free and an extremely helpful and interesting way to prepare for those written exams. By having your permit in hand before you get to school it will put you at the head of the class and it will greatly reduce the stress of having to cram so much material in at the very beginning of class. Trust me on this. you will be so glad you did it that way.
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.
Over The Road:
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.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
I'll soon be embarking on a new career as a truck driver. I'll be starting school at ATS/DTDS in Sun Prairie WI in May. Anyone ever gone to this school, hear anything good or bad? Also, Will it be a good idea to read and study CDL training guides even though ill be learning what i need in school? I just want to be the best prepared when i start and not be behind.
Jeremy, welcome to Trucking Truth. I can't answer your question about ATS/DTDS, but let me tell you about studying for the CDL: the part of the covers that hangs over the side of the bed is what keeps you warm at night. Going with just the school material will get you there, but the Trucking Truth's High Road Training Program will get you to the "aced it!" point.
Click that link now, start studying now! This HRTP will customize itself to help you through your own hard parts.
Good luck in school!
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.
I dont know anything about the school your about to attend, however I would suggest strongly that you grab a handbook from whatever state you will be licensing and study. Brett has put together an awesome study/test area on this site, which I found very helpful. Test yourself and retest yourself every chance you can.
And DO NOT be afraid to ask questions.
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I'll soon be embarking on a new career as a truck driver. I'll be starting school at ATS/DTDS in Sun Prairie WI in May. Anyone ever gone to this school, hear anything good or bad? Also, Will it be a good idea to read and study CDL training guides even though ill be learning what i need in school? I just want to be the best prepared when i start and not be behind.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles: