Anybody Have Advice On Prime Driver Trainers?
Topic 17249 | Page 1
Greetings Muxima.... I am currently going through Prime's training...I am in the PSD segment, which is the second part where you go out with a trainer for 2-4 weeks to prepare you for your CDL license (the pre-trial, backing, and driving). We had well over a dozen women that started with our "class", which began on November 14th. You will have the option of requesting a male or female trainer. I know that many of the ladies in our class requested female trainers. I also know that some of them were also given the option to do an "in-house" PSD training, where they stayed in Springfield and trained, apparently based on the lower number of available female trainers. Some didn't mind having a male trainer. There are some women in here that have gone through the Prime training (Rainy is one) and they would be much better at answering your specific questions. I would suggest you post your question in the general forum area, as more people read that one than this one. I hope I have been able to help in a small way. Please don't hesitate to ask any questions you may have...I'll try my best to answer them as honestly and quickly as possible. I think you have chosen a great company with which to begin your new career...I love Prime. Also, here are a couple of links that pertain to the world of trucking that, if you haven't already looked at, will be great references for an inquiring mind!
- Truck Driver's Career Guide
- Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
- High Road Training Program
For the sake of compete disclosure, I feel I should let you know that I am a male and am starting my new career at the ripe old age of 61! 😁 Best of luck to you, don't be a stranger, and God Speed!
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.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.PSD:
Prime Student Driver
Prime Inc has a CDL training program and the first phase is referred to as PSD. You'll get your permit and then 10,000 miles of on the road instruction.
The following is from Prime's website:
Prime’s PSD begins with you obtaining your CDL permit. Then you’ll go on the road with a certified CDL instructor for no less than 75 hours of one-on-one behind the wheel training. After training, you’ll return to Prime’s corporate headquarters in Springfield, Missouri, for final CDL state testing and your CDL license.
Obtain CDL Permit / 4 Days
- Enter program, study and test for Missouri CDL permit.
- Start driving/training at Prime Training Center in Springfield, Missouri.
- Work toward 40,000 training dispatched miles (minimum) with food allowance while without CDL (Food allowance is paid back with future earnings).
On-the-Road Instruction / 10,000 Miles
- Train with experienced certified CDL instructor for 3-4 weeks in a real world environment.
- Get 75 hours of behind-the-wheel time with one-on-one student/instructor ratio.
- Earn 10,000 miles toward total 40,000 miles needed.
Not with Prime, I drive for a smaller company, H.O.Wolding. Just offering my opinion/experience - I had a woman trainer, it was a good option for me. I have heard from plenty of women who had a guy trainer and had positive experiences. I believe that it comes down to your comfort level with sharing living quarters with a man. These companies take care to have good people as trainers, I don't think you have to worry too much about being stuck with a creepy dude.
Hi! I head to prime on saturday. I'm 47 and ready for a change. From what I've been told is that males will train you to it's up to you and what your comfortable with. I've yet to find a female who complained about their male trainers. I prefer to get road time but it's up to you. Good Luck
Robby, Thank you for taking the time to answer me. I really appreciate your input altogether. I do have a question about the women being trained in Springfield- how does that work? How do they train for OTR? Thank you very much for waiting for your answer. Muxima
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.
Deb, Thank you very much for your input, I appreciate your opinion. Just wondering what to do. I am sure I will decide once I go through training there in Springfield MO. May your trips be safe Muxima
Hi Lisa I'm heading there at the end of the month. If you find out something bad let me know, hahaha! Maybe see you there? Muxima
Robby, Thank you for taking the time to answer me. I really appreciate your input altogether. I do have a question about the women being trained in Springfield- how does that work? How do they train for OTR? Thank you very much for waiting for your answer. Muxima
Muxima...as best I know, the only thing different for the women here was a special training session that addressed safety while out on the road. Also, the women roomed together. Other than that, they trained right along side all us guys. And as far as I know, everyone is trained for OTR. I just finished up my PSD portion of training and will be testing for my CDL in a couple of days...wish me 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.
PSD:
Prime Student Driver
Prime Inc has a CDL training program and the first phase is referred to as PSD. You'll get your permit and then 10,000 miles of on the road instruction.
The following is from Prime's website:
Prime’s PSD begins with you obtaining your CDL permit. Then you’ll go on the road with a certified CDL instructor for no less than 75 hours of one-on-one behind the wheel training. After training, you’ll return to Prime’s corporate headquarters in Springfield, Missouri, for final CDL state testing and your CDL license.
Obtain CDL Permit / 4 Days
- Enter program, study and test for Missouri CDL permit.
- Start driving/training at Prime Training Center in Springfield, Missouri.
- Work toward 40,000 training dispatched miles (minimum) with food allowance while without CDL (Food allowance is paid back with future earnings).
On-the-Road Instruction / 10,000 Miles
- Train with experienced certified CDL instructor for 3-4 weeks in a real world environment.
- Get 75 hours of behind-the-wheel time with one-on-one student/instructor ratio.
- Earn 10,000 miles toward total 40,000 miles needed.
New Reply:
New! Check out our help videos for a better understanding of our forum features
Preview:
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
Hello all, I am soon to be a "rookie" female with Prime. ..I have read very bad reviews and very good. I am not scared. I m 59 years old. My only problem is being with trainer for so long. Anybody with suggestions to get male or female? Anybody with good or bad experiences with Prime trainers?