How To Get CDL Experience If Nobody Will Hire Me Without Experience?
Topic 18704 | Page 1
Local won't usually hire without one year OTR. This is a mistake that many who attend CDL schools do not research.
The best thing to do is sign on with a major carrier who will probably provide tuition reimbursement. Do the OTR for a year then go local.
Not only will this provide proper training for you, but give you the experience you would need to drive smaller streets and tight docks of local. The year wait also has to do with insurance purposes.
As far as a garbage truck, that is not a class A position, therefore I wouldn't imagine it would need the year?
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.
In the trucking business, since you have your CDL (as Rainy points out, for trucking your ticket needs to be class A), you should look for companies that hire recent grads.
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.
So, it's basically pointless to get a CDL unless I plan on being on the road for a year? What a waste of time.
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.
So, it's basically pointless to get a CDL unless I plan on being on the road for a year? What a waste of time.
No, it isn't a waste of time. There are companies that will hire fresh new drivers for local routes, and even home weekly routes, but they are not always the best way to start your career, because they often have a very steep learning curve. This website has a wealth of information, to help you find a good fit, for what you are looking for.
But, of your endeavors driving a garbage truck, I am wondering why you chose to pursue a class A, and not a class B?
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.
Because nobody in my area offers just a Class B. Only Class A.
So, it's basically pointless to get a CDL unless I plan on being on the road for a year? What a waste of time.
No, it isn't a waste of time. There are companies that will hire fresh new drivers for local routes, and even home weekly routes, but they are not always the best way to start your career, because they often have a very steep learning curve. This website has a wealth of information, to help you find a good fit, for what you are looking for.
But, of your endeavors driving a garbage truck, I am wondering why you chose to pursue a class A, and not a class B?
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.
And the garbage truck requires a year OTR? That just doesn't sound right. Do class B go OTR like that?
Many local jobs pay less too, especially if you don't do the OTR first.
Its not impossible but difficult to find the job...then keep it. Local jibs are tough for newbies. Check out craigslist.
Also contact BFI, your local municipality, and Waste Management. We had a driver here that went with them.
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.
What a waste of time.
Or.......Lack of research into the Trucking Business?
I did a search on craigslist for southern MN. There are at least four garbage truck jobs in the Twin Cities and one in Rochester.
None of the listings say anything about requiring experience. Some even say, "no experience needed".
A lot depends on where you live. It's boom time in MN. So there is more competition to hire employees. If an employer needs a job filled, they'll take what they can get. Maybe the economy isn't very good in your area and the employers are being picky.
In general though, I don't believe driving a garbage truck requires OTR experience. They probably want class B experience like driving a dump truck, cement mixing truck, or a snow plow.
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.
It is harder for us in the insurance industry to insure local truck driving than otr people... you have to remember that in otr you are mostly doing highway and do not face as many dangers as in the city... in the city, you have to think about cars suddenly turning, red lights, traffic jams, angry drivers, etc..... so unfortunately the risk is higher for local companies than otr people to hire newbies
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.
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I went to trucking school and got my CDL class A with air brakes. My goal is to drive a garbage truck, yet no company seems willing to hire anyone without at least 1 year experience. How do I get the experience if no company is willing to give me a chance?
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles: