Profile For Kero

it is in your best interest to work somewhere that makes every effort to run legally and above board and will also have the patience to work with your level of inexperience.

Get your experience in somewhere else and if you still want to come back to this company in a year give it a shot.

"I’m a New CDL Driver — So Why Am I Being Treated Like I Should Have 200 Years of Experience?" I'm going to be brutally honest because I am really confused and more than a little frustrated.

I went to trucking school. I spent the time, the money, the effort. I've heard over and over about how trucking is a great career, with solid money and consistent demand for drivers. I believed in the opportunity, and I did what I was supposed to do.

I earned my CDL six months ago. But now, I find myself asking:

How the hell am I supposed to gain experience... if no one will actually let me drive?

Every time I get behind the wheel or into a new company, it's like I'm expected to have nine billion years of experience—as if I should be a trucking god just a few weeks out of school.

I've been hired twice now, and both times, the so-called "trainer" barely let me touch the wheel. But they still expected me to float gears perfectly, execute pre- and post-trips like a DOT inspector, and back up a trailer down a quarter-mile winding road like a seasoned OTR vet with 30 years under his belt.

When I try to learn, they look at me like I’m failing. But no one is actually training me. It’s like I’m supposed to time travel and show up already perfect. How does that make sense?

Here’s my situation:

I cannot do OTR. My parole conditions won’t allow it.

I’ve found that I really enjoy paver work, and when I'm allowed to do it, I actually do pretty well.

I’m not a master, I’m not a god, but I’m safe, smart, and eager to improve.

I haven’t hurt anyone, damaged anything, or made reckless decisions. But none of that seems to matter, because I’m new and not flawless.

Now I’m being made to feel like I’m a “bad driver” because I don’t float gears like I’ve been driving since the Stone Age. And it’s starting to make me question whether getting into trucking was a mistake — and that’s a really hard thing to admit after all I’ve invested into this path.

So I’m asking — sincerely and loudly:

How do I gain experience when no one is willing to give me the chance to gain experience?

I don’t need to be babied. I don’t need hand-holding. I need seat time, reps, and opportunity. I’m not asking to be handed anything. I’m asking for a real shot to learn this trade the right way — the way it’s supposed to be learned: in the driver’s seat, not on the sidelines.

I want to be better. I will become better. But someone has to give me a fair shot. I’ve got the motivation, the work ethic, and the commitment. What I need now is a path forward that actually makes sense — not impossible standards, not toxic trainers, and not an industry that forgets how every single pro started out just like me.

If you've been here — or if you're on the other side of it and have advice — I’m all ears.

But to all the companies, trainers, and gatekeepers out there: let new drivers grow.

Check my last post... they let me go for doing a pre-trip

So I was in training as a Paver driver, my first job as a driver. I was hella happy and REALLY looking forward to learning all of the skills needed to do the job. This company has many different types of trucks, and I was looking forward to learning how to drive them all.

After 2 days of free driving, I felt I was ready to go out on my own. My boss told me to take a truck out and go free driving again, and when I got back, I would start my transfer training.

I got the key from the conex, went, and did a pre-trip. Then, during my pre-trip, my parking brake light was blinking at me. I didn't understand this code, so I went to ask him about it. Short answer: The passenger door was slightly open. He gets upset when I tell him I forgot to check the hydraulic fluid, and tells me pre-trips are NOT practical in the REAL WORLD of trucking because I would never get any work done if I do a pre-trip every day. I am new, and I thought he wanted this done.

I did my free driving, and I felt bad for making a mistake. SO I apologized to him for making that mistake and said I would do better.

He let me go, saying I didn't have enough "real-world experience" when he knew I was fresh out of trucking school.

Now, I am really confused... and kinda ****ed up mentally, as I dont know what I ACTUALLY did to deserve to be let go... he said after a year "check back in with me, after you get some real world experience." When I pushed, he said "it was a gut feeling he had that I wouldn't be a good fit", and "it was personal." Which I didn't understand at all.

I thought I was SUPPOSED to do a pre-trip on the trucks I drive... a pre- and post-trip ... to make sure it's safe... but clearly NOT.

So, are there other things that "are NOT practical in the REAL WORLD of trucking?" As I don't want to go through this again... I was so excited about the possibilities of trucking and all the things I would learn... but idk...

And now days, in some states, like Calif. if you take a **** on the street, if an A-hole cop busts ya, NOW you're gunna have to be an RSO, as well !!

I defended a guy who was convicted of many things, his "victims" got in the witness box said he protected them from the "bad man" and the judge told them it was ok to tell the truth... and when they both got mad for not being believed the judge had them removed from the witness box...

That man died in prison after being stabbed 67 times... and after I had gotten him an evidence hearing and a new trial...

First, I want to say THANK YOU to everyone for your feedback and support. Your encouragement has meant a lot to me throughout this journey.

I officially earned my CDL with an X endorsement and am now working on my doubles and triple endorsements. I was recently hired by a paving/road construction company for my first job in the industry, and I’m hopeful that everything goes well. This is a major step forward, and I plan to build on this experience to move into Hazmat or heavy hauling in the near future.

Getting my Hazmat endorsement was a challenge for a few reasons:

1. My background in government and State Department work complicated the process.

2. The DMV was unclear on whether I needed ELDT hazmat training since my CDL school covered it but wasn't certified for that specific training. I ended up going through ELDT.com, the only trusted provider I could find that wasn’t a scam (highly recommend them).

3. My weapons charges raised concerns, but I cleared this by providing proof that they were related to my non-military government protection service.

Interestingly, my RSO status never came up when I spoke with the TSA agent about my background. When I asked, he told me that because I was non-violent and had proven my innocence on 26 of 27 charges, neither the TSA nor DHS saw it as a concern. It was a relief to hear that my past wouldn’t be an obstacle in this field.

Parole Update:

For the sixth time, I have been put up for early discharge from parole. It’s incredibly difficult for an RSO to even be considered for early discharge, and rightfully so—for those who are truly guilty. In the past, I was denied due to lacking a job, stable housing, and a few other requirements.

Now that I have a steady job and a new home and have met all my goals, I am hopeful that I’ve finally earned my discharge. If all goes well, I plan to leave the United States for good within the next two years. The prospect of starting fresh in a new country from the corruption, free from the restrictions and lies placed on me here, is something I’ve been working toward for a long time.

Through everything, I’ve learned that persistence is key, and no matter how difficult the road has been, I refuse to let my past others have created for me to define me. I'm looking forward to what’s ahead and am determined to make the most of the opportunities in front of me.

Like Alex said you're riding a paver, laying the asphalt on the prepped roadway. I dunno why ya need a CDL, much less the doubles/triples as well. lol

I will be driving the truck that lays the asphalt in front of the paver. It takes a CDL to drive the truck, as it is a Peterbilt 389. The doubles is for the transfer trailer.

As far as the job, you'll likely get an hourly rate, which will depend on where you live; you'll be moving slowly, spreading asphalt used in repaving roads. Paychecks will be really good, but then everyone gets laid off when construction season is over, so save, or when that happens, get your OTR experience and spend a year or so you can really have options. It's road construction, drinking water, and preparing for 300° asphalt. If you don't know how to avoid heat exhaustion, then please learn. I worked next to and with these crews for two construction seasons. Before I decided, I needed a career and to make less money now so I could make more money later getting my CDL and now being a solo OTR trucker will lead me back home probably hauling milk or crude oil for $40+ an hour while you might make $21/hour in the same area. Milk is year-round, while construction is seasonal. If you can't make the sacrifice now, just keep that in mind. You got the job because no one with a CDL and better options really wants it. Sorry, I'm just being honest.

Hey, thank you very much for this. From my understanding, I will be driving a Transfer truck, a dump truck with a transfer trailer. I am happy to be able to get the driving experience, which I had no professional driving experience with before. I have a local outfit also looking at me, but they want 6 months to a year of driving experience, so my current plan is to do the paver for a season, then in the winter, do the local outfit as they said that would be ok after I have some experience.

I currently have my Hazmat and Tanker, but no one will touch me without 2+ years of driving experience at least not that I can find. Dairy isn't hiring right now. I am hoping that opens up soon, but they only hire once every 5 or 10 years when people leave.

I value honesty over all other things, thank you.

Thank you all for the advice, it really helped. I have passed my CDL and have a new job.

So a local outfit is willing to hire me... as a paver driver.

So, as a paver driver, is there ANYTHING I should know about pay, duties, etc? The company requires I get my Dobles and triples, which I wasn't planning on, but ok.

I know as a new driver, I cannot care too much about pay, as long as it's enough to pay my bills, as I will be home every night. Also, I need a year of experience driving professionally. I know I have a lot to learn, and I am willing.

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.