I am going through Prime's cdl school at the moment. A lot of people showed up on Monday but as the week went on the numbers dwindled. From things you need to do, to general advice, here is what I have.
Sit by the exit. There will be times when the group will all sit down in a room for one reason or another. When the speaker is done talking you will likely be told where to go. The faster you get out of that room the faster you can get to the next. Those lines get lame pretty fast. Now granted, there will be times when your released alphabetically, but some times it's a stampede.
Don't lie! When you fill out your application you will be asked many questions and need to enter your history. Some people lie and there is little to no tolerance for this. They don't care to send you home.
Study for the cdl permit test. In this program they will not teach you the information to pass. You are expected to come prepared to pass. That was a HARD task for some. What I've seen personally is that people who used the high road training program had no problem passing the test. Heck, I just studied with the app version mostly and passed the first try. Regardless of what you study with be ready.
Don't be late. This is obvious but people show up late to scheduled events. They absolutely hate this. If you can't be on time when you are down the hallway then how will you be on time when your hundreds of miles away from your destination.
On this one, if the shoe fits wear it. Do not have a drugs in your system during the urinanalysis (wiz quiz). Obviously they ain't too big on that either.
When you get done with the week you will need a trainer. One thing iv heard people say is that the smoking area by the cafeteria is Good spot to pick up trainers.
If you have sleep apnea and a CPAP machine make SURE you bring that little SIM card thing that records that you have used it. You will need to be able to prove you have used to the past 30 days. This is no joke. Bring that SIM card thing.
Keep calm. If you start screaming at management you will go home. That's every where you go though.
If you take medicine, whether it's prescription or over the counter, make sure it is not going to be a problem for the DOT physical. If your not sure then do your research.
So that's the list. Its not comprehensive but if people follow this list you will be a lot more likely to get in a truck. Hopfully it helps some folks out. Good luck and God bless!
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.
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
Sleep Apnea:
A physical disorder in which you have pauses in your breathing, or take shallow breaths, during sleep. These pauses can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. Normal breathing will usually resume, sometimes with a loud choking sound or snort.
In obstructive sleep apnea, your airways become blocked or collapse during sleep, causing the pauses and shallow breathing.
It is a chronic condition that will require ongoing management. It affects about 18 million people in the U.S.
CPAP:
Constant Positive Airway Pressure
CPAP is a breathing assist device which is worn over the mouth or nose. It provides nighttime relief for individuals who suffer from Sleep Apnea.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
I am going through Prime's cdl school at the moment. A lot of people showed up on Monday but as the week went on the numbers dwindled. From things you need to do, to general advice, here is what I have.
Sit by the exit. There will be times when the group will all sit down in a room for one reason or another. When the speaker is done talking you will likely be told where to go. The faster you get out of that room the faster you can get to the next. Those lines get lame pretty fast. Now granted, there will be times when your released alphabetically, but some times it's a stampede.
Don't lie! When you fill out your application you will be asked many questions and need to enter your history. Some people lie and there is little to no tolerance for this. They don't care to send you home.
Study for the cdl permit test. In this program they will not teach you the information to pass. You are expected to come prepared to pass. That was a HARD task for some. What I've seen personally is that people who used the high road training program had no problem passing the test. Heck, I just studied with the app version mostly and passed the first try. Regardless of what you study with be ready.
Don't be late. This is obvious but people show up late to scheduled events. They absolutely hate this. If you can't be on time when you are down the hallway then how will you be on time when your hundreds of miles away from your destination.
On this one, if the shoe fits wear it. Do not have a drugs in your system during the urinanalysis (wiz quiz). Obviously they ain't too big on that either.
When you get done with the week you will need a trainer. One thing iv heard people say is that the smoking area by the cafeteria is Good spot to pick up trainers.
If you have sleep apnea and a CPAP machine make SURE you bring that little SIM card thing that records that you have used it. You will need to be able to prove you have used to the past 30 days. This is no joke. Bring that SIM card thing.
Keep calm. If you start screaming at management you will go home. That's every where you go though.
If you take medicine, whether it's prescription or over the counter, make sure it is not going to be a problem for the DOT physical. If your not sure then do your research.
So that's the list. Its not comprehensive but if people follow this list you will be a lot more likely to get in a truck. Hopfully it helps some folks out. Good luck and God bless!
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
Sleep Apnea:
A physical disorder in which you have pauses in your breathing, or take shallow breaths, during sleep. These pauses can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. Normal breathing will usually resume, sometimes with a loud choking sound or snort.
In obstructive sleep apnea, your airways become blocked or collapse during sleep, causing the pauses and shallow breathing.
It is a chronic condition that will require ongoing management. It affects about 18 million people in the U.S.
CPAP:
Constant Positive Airway Pressure
CPAP is a breathing assist device which is worn over the mouth or nose. It provides nighttime relief for individuals who suffer from Sleep Apnea.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.DWI:
Driving While Intoxicated