Profile For Cajun J

As an observer, you should log as on-duty not driving. The observer is at work.

For the driver? Good question. You are not yet a driver for the new company BUT you are behind the wheel of a CMV operating it for business purposes. Going by the book, I would say yes it would have to be logged a drive line and yes you would have to report it to current company... BUT, you are driving for a personal reason. I see an argument for using Personal Conveyance possible as well. That would mean there is no reason to notify your current employer.

Best to key off of what they have you do. Unlike above, every road test I have taken was logged.

I know this was not definitive and probably just muddied the water. I do know that when I give a road test, I am on duty and the driver is logged in on the drive line. By the way, I am now working as a DOT Compliance and Safety Manager for a small logistics company.

Well, since my last post I chose where I wanted to go (Prime), went, got my CDL and am now about to start the next part of my training on Friday. Hopefully goes smoother than things have since I made my decision.

NOTHING with Prime but life itself. I am originally from SW Louisiana. Most of my family still lives there. Hurricane Laura did not play nice. Everybody in the family had damage to their homes. Some severe. My brother-in-law had his truck smashed by a tree. My sisters SUV had its electrical system fried from water BLOWN up into her vehicle, my mom had her SUV smashed under their carport. The damage back home is horrific. Separate from the storm: One of my great-uncles died. One of my youngest two boys great-uncle died (On their moms side of family). Just was not a smooth last month. All happening while I was up in Springfield. Oh, also turned 53 while there and an idiot cut me off when I came back down to Houston to take care of my license and caused to blow outs and possibly other damage. (NOTE: Prime training and orientation personnel told me that if I needed to head home to help out that it would be no problem and that I just had let them know. They also told me that if I did have to leave, just let them know when I was on my way back so they could resume my training when I got back. They just earned a lot more respect from me with that.) Family told me to keep myself where I was. OK... not going to argue with my dad. So things could have gone smoother personally but with Prime it went great.

Even with all of the challenges I am glad I made the decision and went with it. Thanks again to all for their posts that helped kill the doubts I had.

God Bless and stay safe!

To ALL of you 'seasoned' gents,

I already thanked Old School and Mike C. before I finished the thread. Thanks to all of you for sharing the ages you went into this career. This 52 year old need hearing it. My age was one of my major concerns... now it isn't.

Thanks again!

Passing the tests today was a GI-GAN-TIC relief.

Congratulations sir!

I started this as a second career at 53. The company that hired me hired another gentleman that same day who was 73! I've since then met several drivers in their 80's!

If you're interested, here's a link to a conversation about the time I met one of those guys in their 80's.

Trucking For The Long Haul

I wish the best for you! Hang around here with us. I'm sure we're going to be able to help you out as you get started.

Old School and Mike C... the two of you have NO IDEA how much reading your posts concerning you ages took a major load off of my shoulders.

I have been working Occupational Safety, Health and Environmental for the last 11+ years after making a career change in 2009. I'm 52 and was thinking, "Damn, I'm too damn old for another change!" Although I almost made the change about 3 or so years ago. I actually have my permit. Was waiting on word from Roehl on training dates. BUT I got hired for corporate position in my field. Got fed up with all of the stupidity. I'm just tired of having to babysit grown men telling them not to do stupid stuff to hurt themselves or others. Or having people hide things that happened when ultimately it was my headache. Hearing your ages helped me discard that concern.

Gents, I hope you are both doing well and thank you for helping me without even realizing it. Love this forum and the sincere care shown for other drivers, old and new, and those of us here considering becoming drivers.

All I can say is that I wish I had seen this BEFORE I went to take my test today.... RUDE awakening.

EVERYTHING else here has been spot on and is greatly appreciated. Hope they update their info on here to let others here in Texas know BEFORE they experience the same surpise we have.