Profile For Robert B.

I don't know what it is... I know the material... I know how to do it, until the DMV tester gets in the truck...

I can describe how to do the in-cab, I can tell you industry standards... on it all and where my truck engages, I can do the external pre-trip, etc... I can drive really really good... shifting is smooth... lane control I got that nailed... backing into an ally golden, backing at all... I am good at... I have it all.. but I cannot seem to pass the in-cab once the DMV person gets in the truck.

Today, I forgot to shut off the truck during the leakage test... after I shut it off, put it in gear, and pushed in my brakes, I didn't redo the leakage test... this caused me to fail... everything else was spot on... but this is twice I have failed this dame leakage test... first time was because I moved my leg...

I dont know how to fix this... I know how.. and when the DMV person isn't in the truck... I can do it..

I am looking for advice on how to maybe fix this; I know it's nerves and pressure that cause me to freak out.

So, according to Google and a 74% of all cargo and Highjacking happen in Californa.

So, today in driving class, this topic came up, and no one seems to know the answer, so I will ask it here.

Legally, what can a truck driver do if someone is attempting to hijack his cargo or truck?

I called the California Highway Patrol, but they were unhelpful and ultimately did not have an answer. I also called the three California law firms, which also did not have a clear answer as to what a truck driver may or must do or are allowed to do to protect themselves, their truck, and/or the cargo they are hauling. The one clear answer I did receive, was then legally any property being hauled by the truck driver is lawfully considered the truck drivers property, thus they would have a responsibility to protect that property.

Now, if> the United States Constitution still had merit or power behind it, I would say that an individual would have the constitutional legal authority to protect themselves or their property from imminent danger to one's life, or property. Yet, in this nation of greed, the Constitution has little merit unless you are rich. Especially in California, where there is a 95% conviction rate before you see a judge or lawyer and a 99.9999% conviction rate after you meet with the public defender or lawyer or into the courtroom.

So I ask again: If someone attempts to hijack a semi-truck while it is going down the road, stopped, etc., what is the truck driver allowed to do to protect themselves?

Thank you, I will take it today.

Further update,

After acquiring my tanker endorsement here in California, while speaking to the DMV representative, I was informed that my online hazmat course has not reported the completion of the program to the FMCSA. While researching this problem, I discovered that the website I went to to take the course was a complete scam.

Now, I need a reputable company that can provide me with the online hazmat course before I am allowed to haul hazmat materials. The DMV messed up and allowed me to take the hazmat test, but because the course was never reported, I am forced to retake the exam and the course.

Question for any truckers out there who are all hazmat: What is a reputable online course or company that you have used to either recertify or acquire your original ELDT training?

Update:

I have passed my TSA background check and my hazmat test. As soon as I get my license, I can haul hazmat.

That is if I can get downshifting. My instructor tells me I am moving too fast then too slow, I cannot seem to get the shifting tempo, and I think too much.

I have so much riding on this; it's unreal. I have quit my job to attend trucking school, hopeful I can pay my rent before I lose my house. Parole is on board but with many limitations... I worry I have risked everything to start this new career that may not work out...

I am not usually one to share such information, but to be honest, I don't know any other truck drivers or other people I could talk to about this who may understand the difficulty and stress of getting a CDL.

OK, thank you for the feed back, again it seems as if I am head of myself.

Thank you all for your feedback, I will relax and just take it one step at a time as you all suggested.

So, I talked to a few old heads who told me that because of my overseas government activities, I should do my TSA hazmat Background check (BGC) now while in trucking school because it may take a long time to get back.

I have a criminal history, but nothing is on the TSA block list TSA Disqualifying Offenses and Other Factors . However, when I went for the appointment, the TSA guy at the counter said the BGC only went back seven years ago and I didn't need to report any criminal history going back any further.

So 15 years ago, I became an RSO (sex offender), and I am still on parole and will be discharged five years early, most likely; 20 years ago, I was caught running 2 cases of m-16 and a case of pineapples and cherries, and 1600 rounds across state lines, and 30 years ago, I took a joy ride in a "Found" car. Also, at 16, I was charged and arrested for attempted first-degree murder; this has NOT EVER come up on any background check, not even for the State Department, but with recent laws, I worry it might.

Now, according to the TSA guy at the counter, none of this will count against me because it was much longer than 7 years ago, and didn't need to be reported to TSA because none of it was on the block list. I thought I had already passed it, but I found out Friday it is still in review.

Now I worry I made a mistake... by listening to this TSA guy at the counter.

What do you all think? Do you think it will matter to the TSA or future employers?

Also, I was told I would have a difficult time getting a job because of my criminal past. I admit I used to not be a nice or good person, but after many years of being a criminal, I am done. My life is in a good place. I work hard to repair and prevent the harm I have caused to others, and I just really want to live a law-abiding life of peace without violence or criminal activity. I know I will never fully get that in the USA... we don't forgive or forget, and we are the most hypocritical and judgemental country on the planet, at least from the many countries I have visited worldwide.

I am a new driver. I have read and watched many videos about the dangers of driving and some truck stops; thus, I have some questions and assumptions.

I'm assuming it's SUPER important to have a forward-facing camera that can also see my side mirrors to protect me from the four-wheelers who try to bully me on the road. But is there anywhere else I should have them in a Regional company truck? I am considering putting a lawyer on retainer to also protect me criminally just in case some fool dies or is injured after trying to bully me. Do you all think this is a good idea?

Also, I heard that there are people at truck stops who will try to frame you for crimes to blackmail you out of money and other dangers both in and out of the truck. Do you have any tips for avoiding or recognizing these dangers?

1. Theft and Cargo Theft Thieves may target trucks for cargo or personal items left inside the cab.

2. Personal Safety and Assault Truck stops, especially in less secure areas, can be hotspots for robberies or other personal safety risks.

3. Solicitation and Scams Solicitors, sometimes called "lot lizards," may approach truckers, or scammers may try to hustle drivers for money.

4. Parking Lot Accidents With tight spaces and large vehicles maneuvering around, parking lots at truck stops are common areas for accidents, including backing into other vehicles or pedestrian accidents. 5. Fuel Theft Some thieves target trucks at stops to siphon fuel while drivers are sleeping.

6. Sleep Deprivation and Fatigue Poor-quality sleep at truck stops can lead to fatigue, one of the biggest causes of accidents for truckers.

7. Drug Activity Some truck stops may be hotspots for illegal drug activity, which can lead to dangerous situations or encounters.

8. Vehicle Tampering Vandals or thieves may tamper with your truck to disable it, steal parts, or put you at risk when driving.

I was told I should start in propane, and then move into fuel. That it is harder to go from fright to hazmat because of a lack of hazmat experience? Should I attempt to start hazmat this way? Also, I am willing to work for minimum wage my first year, is this a good idea?

I thank the original poster for their bravery in even asking their question.

Howdy!

We never recommend going into tankers hauling any kind of liquid because you don't have the basics down and you throw that sloshing around into the mix, and it's an accident waiting to happen. I understand propane is a tanker on a chassis attached to the truck. I've seen plenty of them out there, but it's still liquid that moves a truck around.

It would be far better for you to do dry van or reefer, get your year or two experience and then look at doing propane or fuel. Most of those companies require 2 or more years experience driving.

I don't understand why you think you have to move out of the USA because of your RSO incident. My company laid off 3/4 of their employees back in May, including me, and at the end of May the last of the employees got let go and the doors were shut. I have been looking for local work because I really don't want to go back over the road again, 10 years was long enough.

What I am seeing on indeed.com, glassdoor.com and my Idaho unemployment website, Idahoworks.com, is that there are a lot of companies with regional or local jobs that will put this statement in their description of the job: "People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply".

Use our link to apply everywhere. If you get turned down by all of them, then go to the above websites and look there. Also look at Craigslist.com. As long as you have not reoffended, do as your parole officer says to do, you stand as good a chance as anyone out here.

Apply For Truck Driving Jobs

Good luck to you.

Thank you, I will follow this. Right now I am looking at a company that is local and has a short runs so I will be trying them.