First post after countless hours on TruckingTruth and studying the High Road Training Program. I leave tomorrow to start a Paid CDL Training Programs, I would say I would post a diary, but I know I will fail to update daily or even weekly. I will check in every now & again and share my journey as I hope it helps with anyone getting into trucking.
Quick story, my wife and I kinda talked about it years ago that after our son was ready to do his own thing, we should get into trucking and see the country while getting paid. So after relocating to Nature Coast FL from Southern CA and finding work hard to find back here, I had an idea!
So after asking my local tax collector's office clerk some questions about taking the CDL test. I decided to take the Florida CDL permit test on May 9th. I had read the FL CDL book over the previous weekend. So I took the tests and I passed General Knowledge, Combinations & Air Brakes. I was told "get a Driver Card (DOT Physical)" and I could be issued my permit.
Well I went home and started doing a little research and fount this site. WOW am I thankful for all of the members on this forum for sharing all you're experience's and insight to trucking. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! Saved me some cash too since the company will pay for DOT Physical all while in their program.
This site has helped me with all aspects of deciding and committing to becoming an OTR driver. I know once I'm in this company sponsored CDL program that I will be successful in learning since all the basics were presented here. I look forward to getting on the road with my trainer and to have all this knowledge honed and sharpened. Driving skills will sharpen with behind the wheel experience.
The amount of information on TT is wonderful.
Anyone who takes the time should be able to make a well educated choice based on all the information provided.
So again to all active members who have shared on this site, THANK YOU!
David Clark
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.
Logbook:
A written or electronic record of a driver's duty status which must be maintained at all times. The driver records the amount of time spent driving, on-duty not driving, in the sleeper berth, or off duty. The enforcement of the Hours Of Service Rules (HOS) are based upon the entries put in a driver's logbook.
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.
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.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
First post after countless hours on TruckingTruth and studying the High Road Training Program. I leave tomorrow to start a Paid CDL Training Programs, I would say I would post a diary, but I know I will fail to update daily or even weekly. I will check in every now & again and share my journey as I hope it helps with anyone getting into trucking.
Quick story, my wife and I kinda talked about it years ago that after our son was ready to do his own thing, we should get into trucking and see the country while getting paid. So after relocating to Nature Coast FL from Southern CA and finding work hard to find back here, I had an idea! So after asking my local tax collector's office clerk some questions about taking the CDL test. I decided to take the Florida CDL permit test on May 9th. I had read the FL CDL book over the previous weekend. So I took the tests and I passed General Knowledge, Combinations & Air Brakes. I was told "get a Driver Card (DOT Physical)" and I could be issued my permit. Well I went home and started doing a little research and fount this site. WOW am I thankful for all of the members on this forum for sharing all you're experience's and insight to trucking. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! Saved me some cash too since the company will pay for DOT Physical all while in their program.
This site has helped me with all aspects of deciding and committing to becoming an OTR driver. I know once I'm in this company sponsored CDL program that I will be successful in learning since all the basics were presented here. I look forward to getting on the road with my trainer and to have all this knowledge honed and sharpened. Driving skills will sharpen with behind the wheel experience. The amount of information on TT is wonderful.
This one is a big one!!!
Learn The Logbook Rules (HOS)
Anyone who takes the time should be able to make a well educated choice based on all the information provided.
So again to all active members who have shared on this site, THANK YOU!
David Clark
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
Logbook:
A written or electronic record of a driver's duty status which must be maintained at all times. The driver records the amount of time spent driving, on-duty not driving, in the sleeper berth, or off duty. The enforcement of the Hours Of Service Rules (HOS) are based upon the entries put in a driver's logbook.
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.
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.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.