Noobie Questions

Topic 10352 | Page 1

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Taylor M.'s Comment
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I know there are some OTR drivers who do not own or have a place of living outside of their truck. Like myself, being 24 and single I don't see the point on wasting money for an apartment when I'll be on the road most of the time only to come back on vacation. Is this what most independent people do? I've head some even rent out storage units for their stuff?

Also, while looking for a company to start my career with I've noticed some companies have a black out for some states which I find hard to understand. If I'm driving OTR would it matter where they were hiring me from? I live in South Florida, basically Miami. I have yet to find a CDL school sponsor company that has a terminal in south Florida. Would this mean if I wanted to take vacation days I would have to park my truck at the closest terminal to where I live and fly from there?

Sorry for the overload of questions. Really trying to get a grasp of how this works before I jump in.

CDL:

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:

  • Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
  • Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.

Terminal:

A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.

OTR:

Over The Road

OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.

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