Beginner Trucker
Topic 14156 | Page 1
You might be looking for what is commonly referred to as "western regional". It can mean almost anything but is pretty much the 11 western states plus Texas. After you get a year or so OTR experience you can look into something more local.
Regional:
Regional Route
Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.
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.
HMMMMM! Stevens from Texas to California. I could not leave CA when I drove for them. Probably have to go OTR with a company to start before getting a run like that. Look at some of the smaller companies in your area and see if they hire trainees.
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.
Hi, Josh! Welcome to Trucking Truth! Jim and Chris have given you some ideas. You mention that the Texas/ California route is "flat ground driving". There are few companies that specialize in such a small area. Thousands of truck drivers go over mountain passes every day. They get the beautiful views, and with engine retarders ("Jake Brakes"), it's not so bad.
Anyway, have you taken a look at these?
- Truck Driver's Career Guide
- Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
- High Road Training Program
The last link goes to the test preparation program.
Enjoy the reading!
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.
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Hello all,
I'm currently in the works of getting my CDL. I hear that you can make big money in trucking. I'm a single, 22 year old who wants to do it big in the trucking industry. Hopefully one day start my own trucking business. What I would like to know is what is the best way to make money with a fresh class A license? I live in the Bay Area of California. What I would really like to do is, if it comes to it, is drive from California to Texas and back, since it is flat ground driving. Or if there is any other states that the route is flat ground. I really would not like to do coast to coast. So I guess what I'm really asking is, are there any trucking companies that have loads from California to Texas (or any other flat ground route state) and back out there?
Thank you, J
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles: