Road Training With Swift(Training Overview)
Topic 11736 | Page 2
Swift will only road train CDL holders. Unless something has changed that I am not aware of, if you graduated from one of Swift's school's and have the CDL, you will not be required to road-test before being assigned a mentor (Swift-speak for trainer). Otherwise if graduating from a private or non-Swift school, you are required to pass a basic road-test before being assigned to a mentor for road-training. Road test will include backing and a driving test. Make sure to GOAL !!!!
Hope this clears it up...
Thanks, that makes more sense to me. I'm just not sure what he means by having to do a test after the road training to get your "full cdl." I don't think I've ever heard of that before.
I re-read Spoolin's post. I think he is referring to "road-training" while he is still in school and has yet to test out on the driving portion of the curriculum. Once he graduates he can then take his CDL tests...
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.
Thanks G-town! I had been wondering if you had to do another road test after the otr training, so you answered that question for me. It all makes more sense now
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.
Congrats on your progress so far!! I'm also going with Swift and just passed the cdl tests yesterday. On Monday I head to orientation have to do a road test with them. Have you already completed their road test, and if so is it very similar to the cdl test?
Thanks man, && you are further than me, I'm doing my road training as we speak and I'll test out for my full CDL this coming Wednesday.
So actually, you need to be telling me how it is! Haha.
I guess I don't understand how it works then lol. I haven't started road training with them yet, I just completed school (they sent me to a private school) and passed my state cdl tests. I'm heading to the DMV today to get my license and on Monday I go to orientation where I'm supposed to have some sort of driving test before they send me out with a trainer for several weeks. Since you went to an actual Swift academy did they just send you out with a trainer with your permit before getting your license?
Oh wow that's weird that they did it that way. How did you CDL test go today?
During orientation I think the only driving test is just a simple 90 degree turn that you have to complete. ( Just what I heard, so don't quote me, but I heard it's extremely easy, nothing to worry about)
Yeah they sent me out with a road trainer for a week of actual road driving before going to get my full CDL then I'll head to orientation then on to mentor stage.
Have you heard anything about what choices you have with a mentor? Like can you request a flatbed, reefer etc mentor in the division you wish to eventually get 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.
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.DMV:
Department of Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
The state agency that handles everything related to your driver's licences, including testing, issuance, transfers, and revocation.
Reefer:
A refrigerated trailer.
Spoolin Replied:
During orientation I think the only driving test is just a simple 90 degree turn that you have to complete. ( Just what I heard, so don't quote me, but I heard it's extremely easy, nothing to worry about)
Unless something has changed you will also be tested on the road during orientation, about a 30 minute drive.
Yeah they sent me out with a road trainer for a week of actual road driving before going to get my full CDL then I'll head to orientation then on to mentor stage.
Sounds like they have changed-it-up a bit since I attended the Academy. Did you return to school each day or did you sleep on the trainers truck? Were you under any loads?
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.
Spoolin Replied:
During orientation I think the only driving test is just a simple 90 degree turn that you have to complete. ( Just what I heard, so don't quote me, but I heard it's extremely easy, nothing to worry about)
Unless something has changed you will also be tested on the road during orientation, about a 30 minute drive.
Sounds like they have changed-it-up a bit since I attended the Academy. Did you return to school each day or did you sleep on the trainers truck? Were you under any loads?
Yeah I'm still in school, as in I return to school everyday. Sorry I feel like I confused you guys a little.
I still have my CLP(CDL Permit). And won't test out for my actual CDL till next week.
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.
CLP:
Commercial Learner's Permit
Before getting their CDL, commercial drivers will receive their commercial learner's permit (CLP) upon passing the written portion of the CDL exam. They will not have to retake the written exam to get their CDL.
Here's an outline of Swift testing:
* CDL permit test (on your own or at school) so you can drive for training. This is before you can start classes.
* School "graduation" evaluation, both written and pre-trip & backing. At this point you are finished with school.
* Swift hires you, and you meet your mentor. After mentor training both a written and driving evaluation. This gets you upgraded to First Seat and your new solo OTR career.
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.
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.
Congrats on your progress so far!! I'm also going with Swift and just passed the cdl tests yesterday. On Monday I head to orientation have to do a road test with them. Have you already completed their road test, and if so is it very similar to the cdl test?
Thanks man, && you are further than me, I'm doing my road training as we speak and I'll test out for my full CDL this coming Wednesday.
So actually, you need to be telling me how it is! Haha.
I guess I don't understand how it works then lol. I haven't started road training with them yet, I just completed school (they sent me to a private school) and passed my state cdl tests. I'm heading to the DMV today to get my license and on Monday I go to orientation where I'm supposed to have some sort of driving test before they send me out with a trainer for several weeks. Since you went to an actual Swift academy did they just send you out with a trainer with your permit before getting your license?
Oh wow that's weird that they did it that way. How did you CDL test go today?
During orientation I think the only driving test is just a simple 90 degree turn that you have to complete. ( Just what I heard, so don't quote me, but I heard it's extremely easy, nothing to worry about)
Yeah they sent me out with a road trainer for a week of actual road driving before going to get my full CDL then I'll head to orientation then on to mentor stage.
Have you heard anything about what choices you have with a mentor? Like can you request a flatbed, reefer etc mentor in the division you wish to eventually get in.
So, I bet you are probably in orientation by now as well, but thought I would answer your question anyways...I just got to orientation today and as it turns out, if you graduated from a Swift academy within the last 90 days you don't have to do a drive test for Swift before going out with your mentor. Have you taken your cdl test yet?
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.
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.DMV:
Department of Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
The state agency that handles everything related to your driver's licences, including testing, issuance, transfers, and revocation.
Reefer:
A refrigerated trailer.
New Reply:
New! Check out our help videos for a better understanding of our forum features
Preview:
This topic has the following tags:
Swift Transport Getting Your CDL Truck Driving Orientation
Why Join Trucking Truth?
- The High Road Training Program
- The High Road Article Series
- The Friendliest Trucker's Forum Ever!
- Email Updates When New Articles Are Posted
Apply For Paid CDL Training Through TruckingTruth
Did you know you can fill out one quick form here on TruckingTruth and apply to several companies at once for paid CDL training? Seriously! The application only takes one minute. You will speak with recruiters today. There is no obligation whatsoever. Learn more and apply here:
TT On Facebook
Me neither. However Swift will conduct a final road-test upon completion of road-training. Once this is satisfactorily passed they officially elevate a trainee to "first-seat" solo status and consider you officially hired.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles: