Tanker Driver
Topic 18749 | Page 1
I asked that same question a few months back and the more experienced drivers recommend that you start with Dry Van or Reefer first to get some driving experience. Type in Tanker in the search bar and have a look at some of Brett's comments.
Dry Van:
A trailer or truck that that requires no special attention, such as refrigeration, that hauls regular palletted, boxed, or floor-loaded freight. The most common type of trailer in trucking.Reefer:
A refrigerated trailer.
If you put your mind to it and really pay attention to what's going on, you can do tankers starting out. That's what I did, jumped right into tankers after getting my CDL. I will say it was quite a bit of a learning curve between learning the driving game, learning the tanker, and taking in the hazmat process as well. If I had to do it all over again, I probably would have went to an OTR company and got some experience first only because I really feel I could have benefitted much more by coming into this job with experience(that is driving a dry van first). I have been doing this as well as driving all together for almost 7 months now and I love 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.
HAZMAT:
Hazardous Materials
Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts of especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under HAZMAT regulations
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.
Dry Van:
A trailer or truck that that requires no special attention, such as refrigeration, that hauls regular palletted, boxed, or floor-loaded freight. The most common type of trailer in trucking.
Beware of the "surge"
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Later this year I will begin training at a commercial driving school and begin my carrier as a Commercial Truck Driver. Becoming a Tanker driver (if that's the correct tittle) look's very interesting to me; but knowing very little about the industry, I don't know that I should or could even start out moving tankers, Schneider has communicated that they would hire me and send me to their tanker training with no experience. I am just looking for some advise on becoming a tanker driver, or if I should wait and gain some experience before pursuing that route. Thank You for your time.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated