Profile For Chris B.

I thought I'd share this with my fellow newbies http://www.scaniadrivergame.com/en/ I'm using the free version on a MAC but pretty sure it's available free for PC too. The driving dynamics are good representations of driving an actual tractor/ trailer IMHO. I am using this to try to try and wrap my head around driving backwards with a trailer... not out of driving school yet. good luck!! C

Wow, this question really grew legs! I got a call From the PTL recruiter today asking me for more info on the ticket and documentation for my previous employment ( one employer for 37 years). She asked me if I was for MORE than 15 over the limit and I answered -honestly- that didn't recall what the over the limit speed was, but it was NOT 20 over because that is a reckless driving offense in VA and requires a mandatory court appearance....( I was babysitting kids for my niece who is a lawyer in D.C. and she knows all about VA traffic violations and had to hired another lawyer to defend her in a +20 MPH ticket a few months earlier).

I do believe that these trucking companies are probably well informed about the records of their prospective drivers and know how to dig down to get all the information that is on record. In situations where the record itself is not telling the whole story it could be a problem, but in my case I was absolutely driving above the speed limit to move with the flow of traffic, and with my out of state plates got pulled over. I will own that. In this market I don't think it's a deal breaker, but I am enjoying my CDL school training so much that if no one wants me to drive their truck I might have to go buy my own :)

PA and VA do have reciprocity so I was surprised that it didn't show up. In any case, my driving record for the past 10 years and beyond is spotless so -hopefully- one violation won't send my application into the trash bin. thanks to all for the advice.

I'm Pennsylvania driver and got a speeding ticket in Virginia last summer. I have been reporting it on my applications up to now. I downloaded my driving record from Pennsylvania and there is no report of the violation... looks squeaky clean! Should I stop disclosing the ticket on future applications?

Thanks G-Town, I'm older than most students and this is a second career for me. I really feel for these younger guys who are working so hard trying to make a better life for themselves and their families. It's a lot of pressure for them to get it right and do it quickly as possible. It's good to know from and experienced driver that I wasn't giving him the wrong advice... you know us learners sometimes get it Bass- Ackwards.

I'm in school now too and doing the same type of maneuvers... some days are good and some days are rough. when I'm having a bad day I'll try to get some time alone in a truck with no other students helping me and no instructors judging me- usually by jumping in the crappiest rig on the lot- and start from the beginning by doing pull up and straight line backing . I try to keep my adjustments small and early so the trailer doesn't get away from me.... don't get fixed looking in one mirror for too long or you will lose it for sure. Steer gently ( 3 o' clock or 9 o'clock maximum) towards the end of the trailer that is moving into your mirror to bring your trailer straight. If it does get too crooked cut your losses- I pull up straight and try it again fresh instead of digging myself in deeper by trying to "fix" it. My $.02 accept that making mistakes is part of the process of learning and stick with it- you never fail until you stop stop trying .

Thanks boomshaker I heard back from S&S today and they are confirming what you said- All I need is my medical, a PA driver's license and to pass the test to get a permit. For now I'm putting feelers out to those companys with a liberal pet policy... I'll check out USXpRESS and see if we are a good fit.

Thanks Steve, I called my contact at the trucking school and she is going to check with an instructor and get back to me. Hopefully PennDOT will be asking for the same in Philadelphia too.

I'm going to Smith & Solomon on Richmond street, Philadelphia. I might be getting my shorts bunched up over nothing because the proof of citizenship and residency is to change license to PA from out of state. I'll give my contact at school a call and ask them what i need to take the permit test as a PA licensed driver- hopefully it is only my Valid PA drivers license.

I signed up for a private trucking school ($1000 up front) and passed a DOT physical with no trouble. classes start next week. Since I have been working slow and steady on the High Road Training Program ( awesome resource- thanks!) for a while I decided to stop by my state of PA DMV license center and pick up the commercial drivers manual and whatever else I thought could be useful. One item I got was a list of testing centers and a list of required documents -

current driver's license
2 proof of residency (utility bill, mortgage papers or lease)
social security card
valid passport or birth certificate with raised seal

it seems excessive but I have pretty much everything i need except the actual social security card I got when I was 14 years old.... and that could be a problem, because until I was 17 and the state trooper at the DMV looked at my application for a driver's learner permit and informed me that I put the wrong date on my application I had no idea my family always celebrated my birthday on the wrong day. Of course the social security folks had no problem sending my paperwork through with the wrong date of birth. I was the last of ten kids and it was only a few days off so no big deal, right? well maybe not.

I went to the local social security office today to get a replacement social security card with my drivers license, birth certificate and passport - all that have my correct birthdate- and was informed that they couldn't issue me a new social security card with the wrong birthdate ( understandable) and I would have to get one with a correction to show the right birthdate. The clerk that was inputting the information to the California database ( i was born in california) tried twice and screwed up both times because she had never done it before and got kicked out of the california system. She gave me her card and told me to call her in 4 weeks if I hadn't heard back from Social Security with a status.

well that might be a problem because I am assuming I can't do any behind the wheel training without some type of learner's permit, correct? My classes start next week.

I'm thinking that I might just go to a testing center and try to take the test (even if I fail) and if they allow it with my documentation I will know I can go in for the test with the documents I have. I think I need to call the school and let them know that I may not be able to start until this is resolved.

Any ideas here would be welcome