Rookie Needs Help Please

Topic 9780 | Page 1

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Trino G.'s Comment
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Hi I am looking to see if maybe someone can help with some very needed advice so let me start. I passed all my tests for my class A I have all the endorsements tankers triples doubles and hazmat. I did not go to driving school I did it on my own and went to a truck rental place to pass the walk around and skills and driving test. I did it this way because I could not afford a driving school I also drove with a cousin for about 3 weeks and got some practice time and I know I still need a lot more but after reading a few articles here it looks like the only way to get hired is if you go to a driving school. So I guess what I'm asking is what I have enough to get hired bye one of the starter company's? I live in Orange county California if anyone knows of a company that will hire with my little experience please let me know I will appreciate all the info I can get thank you.

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

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.

guyjax(Guy Hodges)'s Comment
member avatar

Hi I am looking to see if maybe someone can help with some very needed advice so let me start. I passed all my tests for my class A I have all the endorsements tankers triples doubles and hazmat. I did not go to driving school I did it on my own and went to a truck rental place to pass the walk around and skills and driving test. I did it this way because I could not afford a driving school I also drove with a cousin for about 3 weeks and got some practice time and I know I still need a lot more but after reading a few articles here it looks like the only way to get hired is if you go to a driving school. So I guess what I'm asking is what I have enough to get hired bye one of the starter company's? I live in Orange county California if anyone knows of a company that will hire with my little experience please let me know I will appreciate all the info I can get thank you.

For insurance purposes companies hire through school cause their insurance wants to make sure you have at least 160 hours of training through a school. Sadly there is no short cut into trucking.

Most decent jobs will want you to go through a school. You can try and apply everywhere you can and maybe someone will pick you up but since you have zero training that is going to be tough.

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

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.

Ernie S. (AKA Old Salty D's Comment
member avatar

Look into companies that have training programs. One of them just might pick you up and send you through a refresher course since you do have a valid CDL. Keep in mind that is a VERY BIG MAYBE.

Ernie

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.
guyjax(Guy Hodges)'s Comment
member avatar

Look into companies that have training programs. One of them just might pick you up and send you through a refresher course since you do have a valid CDL. Keep in mind that is a VERY BIG MAYBE.

Ernie

Yeah that can happen. It cost money the same but at least you can work it off by driving for that company for a set time period

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.
Trino G.'s Comment
member avatar

Ok thank you for your time looks like its going to be hard but hay what else is new LoL

Errol V.'s Comment
member avatar

TT here has a list of companies that provide the training here: Company-Sponsored Training . Yes, you sign a contract for a few grand, but either you make payments, or for some companies, they allow you to "work it off" over about 12 months or so.

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.

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