Profile For Rick F.

Hi other Rick,

Thanks for your answer. I have been living in Korea as an expat. I have my financial records in order and I am a US Citizen. I have an established residence in Bryan, TX and have a current Texas driver's license and am a registered voter. I have been doing a lot of research and have narrowed down my company search to Roehl and Jim Palmer/WilTrans, leaning toward Jim Palmer.

I do have another question, though. Do you recommend going through a company training program or an outside school. Money won't be an issue so I am thinking about Houston Community College's Professional Truck Driver course. However, the idea of getting paid for training is appealing. I guess my question would be, which route would provide the best overall training and preparation?

Thanks again, Rick

Rick F., re: your company search, be aware that Jim Palmer/Wil-Trans requires 3 yrs. of previous driving history in the U.S.; it is their insurance carrier requiring the 3 previous years of driving history. Prime, by the way, requires one year. I've been living in Ecuador for 3 1/2 yrs., also with valid VA driver's license, but those companies could not work with me because of the driving rule. As far as I know they are the only companies with such a stipulation.

As far as choosing a company-sponsored school vs. a private school, that is a debate that will continue as long as both types of school are in existence. There is plenty of good information here:

Private Schooling vs. Company-Sponsored: The Basic Differences

Those that attended company-sponsored CDL schools prefer that type; truckers who attended private school will laud the benefits of a private school. Great arguments can be made for both. Check out the above link and see which type best fits you. There is no wrong answer.

Hi,

Thanks for sharing your knowledge. If what you said about Jim Palmer/WT is true, then the recruiter who has been in communication with me should have mentioned that. He is aware of my history and the fact that I've lived abroad. Question: Does that three years of previous driving history in the US have to be immediately prior to application? I have many years of driving experience in the US. Also, if it is only a company rule and not a federal regulation, the rule may be subject to waiver if the company determines that. I'll raise the question with him during our next chat.

Anyhow, thanks again for your assistance as I have learned so much more from this site and the members than I have through all of my other research sources.

Rick F.

I have a question related to this. I am looking to begin a career in trucking this summer. However, I have been living and working in South Korea for the last 17 years. I can get documents proving my employment from my last few employers but, the documents are written in Korean. What kind of a problem will that be for me?

Living in Korea as a US Citizen - you still had to file TAX RETURNS - which means you had to substantiate income/employment.

Non-truckers (legally) only have to document 3 years previous employers - truckers 10 - but the online apps all look for 10 because that's the way they are written.

Documents in Korean will require certified translations - I think the US State Department has hints on certified translations - though a lot will depend on what the trucking company wants to see.

At the LEAST - you may want to have W-2's and tax returns, as verification. Statements from employers with certified translations amy work also. The bigger issue is going to be US DRIVERS LICENSURE. If you haven't held one in 17 years (or depending on how old you are - you may NEVER HAVE HELD A US DRIVERS LICENSE), you may have to have one for a period of time, before applying for a CDL Learners Permit (CLP).

Requirements are going to vary from company to company - but if this is your plan - I'd advise you to start researching companies you are interested in to narrow the field down, and call their recruiters to find out what their requirements are going to be. If you are specifically coming back to get into trucking as a career - you're going to want to get your "ducks in a row", and have something (a few things) lined up before you get back.

I'm assuming you are a US Citizen, with rights to work in the US - otherwise, most of the above suggestions are moot.

Rick

Hi other Rick,

Thanks for your answer. I have been living in Korea as an expat. I have my financial records in order and I am a US Citizen. I have an established residence in Bryan, TX and have a current Texas driver's license and am a registered voter. I have been doing a lot of research and have narrowed down my company search to Roehl and Jim Palmer/WilTrans, leaning toward Jim Palmer.

I do have another question, though. Do you recommend going through a company training program or an outside school. Money won't be an issue so I am thinking about Houston Community College's Professional Truck Driver course. However, the idea of getting paid for training is appealing. I guess my question would be, which route would provide the best overall training and preparation?

Thanks again, Rick

I have a question related to this. I am looking to begin a career in trucking this summer. However, I have been living and working in South Korea for the last 17 years. I can get documents proving my employment from my last few employers but, the documents are written in Korean. What kind of a problem will that be for me?

Depends on the company. Do you have statements like pay stubs where you can prove dates? Some companies will phone verify but the time difference to Korea won't help :(

And I doubt any recruiter will want to convert the currency even if you did provide pay stubs or tax records. Dates are easy to determine but most Americans are oblivious to the international dates. So a stupid recruiter could get it wrong.

Call around to the companies and see.

Thanks. I don't think it will be a problem, but reading the original post in this thread got me thinking.

I have a question related to this. I am looking to begin a career in trucking this summer. However, I have been living and working in South Korea for the last 17 years. I can get documents proving my employment from my last few employers but, the documents are written in Korean. What kind of a problem will that be for me?