Want To Start Trucking. Local Jobs For Rookies?
Topic 16403 | Page 1
Welcome Ray.
Usually local companies want some experience. Most of them are not equipped to train a rookie driver. The route that most of us have taken is either Paid CDL Training Programs or private Truck Driving Schools. Community College gets you the CDL but then you will need to go through some road training with a company that will hire new drivers. Road training can last anywhere from 4-8 weeks and is almost always OTR.
Again it's possible you can land a local job fresh out of CDL school, but it's unlikely. If local is the only way, I'd start looking now and try to get a pre hire before committing to a school. Make sure they will give you some training before turning you loose as a solo driver.
- Article: Understanding Pre-Hire Letters: The What, Why, And How Of This Important Step
- Trucker's Wiki: "Pre-Hire Letters"
- Forum Topics Tagged "CDL Pre-Hire Letters"
Good luck.
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.
Pre-hire:
What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?
Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.
We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.
A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment
The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.
During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.
Pre Hire:
What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?
Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.
We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.
A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment
The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.
During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.
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.
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Hello. Trucking has been in my family for years and I am interested in it. I am currently a single dad with full custody and I'm not making enough to pay the bills. I'm in college but it is a very slow process. Because I am a single parent, I would need a local driving job. I'm willing to work hard and be patient for however long it takes to land a local job because OTR for some experience just isn't an option right now. I live in a populated area with plenty of driving jobs but some really crappy local schools. I can take classes at my community college but I'm not sure if they'll give me a truck for the driving test. I'm sure this has been asked a million times but if I work hard can I plan to eventually find a local job after schooling? I wouldn't mind OTR in the future but as I said I can't so it right now. I'm also interested in starting pay. I currently make around $12 an hour. Can I at least expect to make more than that? All help is appreciated and thanks guys!
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.