Decisions Decisions (Prime V Swift)
Topic 17577 | Page 4
Just to throw this out there. You can also look into local community colleges that have CDL programs. With the college I went to, the cost of the DOT physical was included as well as the final testing for your CDL. Granted if it takes you more than 3 tries each additional attempt is $75. My only upfront cost was the cost of getting my permit and the cost of my license. Granted I know I am military and Uncle Sam payed for the schooling; however, since community colleges have accreditation requirements you can apply for TA, Financial Aid, grants and lastly student loans. There are grants and other assistance out there that will give you a free ride.
Just some food for thought. Not to muddle your whole process.
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.
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.
Just to throw this out there. You can also look into local community colleges that have CDL programs. With the college I went to, the cost of the DOT physical was included as well as the final testing for your CDL. Granted if it takes you more than 3 tries each additional attempt is $75. My only upfront cost was the cost of getting my permit and the cost of my license. Granted I know I am military and Uncle Sam payed for the schooling; however, since community colleges have accreditation requirements you can apply for TA, Financial Aid, grants and lastly student loans. There are grants and other assistance out there that will give you a free ride.
Just some food for thought. Not to muddle your whole process.
I did think about that quite a bit, but I decided against it, would take longer I believe for the one in my area its like 2+ months which makes it harder to juggle a crap job and that. plus a few other reasons I decided against it.
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.
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.
No problem sir!
Sir? Oh geez Paul, that is gonna' go straight to his HEAD!!!
Don't be worried about driving right away. The trainer will take you to a pad and have you drive around the yard without the trailer, then out with the trailer . My trainer waited til 11pm to take me on the road...no cars to compete with and gave me a feel for it.
The next day I drove 400 miles on Interstate which was easy...stay in the lines and go straight lol He later said he was gonna stop me at 100 miles but since I seemed fine he let me drive. He also let me drive at my comfort speed and told me to tell him if I wanted to stop.
There were some days he drove and sort lectured me while I took notes. But I drove every day and did 10k miles in three weeks.
And being near a terminal means nothing. I only go to terminals for repairs or doctor appts. I park my truck two miles away at a truck stop. We do have a bunch of drop yards and you probably could park there...but some are not specifically prime lots...they are sort of huge lots where various companies pay storage fees. Others are gated, but parking is all trailers. Would you rather leave your car in a trailer yard where new drivers can back into it? Or leave the truck someplace close?
Regardless of swift or prime, you'll be in good hands.
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
Interstate:
Commercial trade, business, movement of goods or money, or transportation from one state to another, regulated by the Federal Department Of Transportation (DOT).
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No problem sir!