60 Hour Local CDL School, Is That Enough?
Topic 19261 | Page 3
Yep at prime you take the permit test in MO. But wherever you decide to go. Be sure to use the High Road on this site to prepare you for the permit test. If you learn the material you will pass no matter which state or company you choose.
First day of orientation at prime is drug test physical and a bunch of paperwork. Then you start permit testing and working on SIMS as well as pretrip. There's a YouTube video for pretrip by apex driving school that is excellent!!! By watching that and using this site, I passed my permit test right away and was WAY ahead of my class.
Check out this link for test preparation.
As far as Hazmat goes... I never got my endorsement. Prime only runs 2% hazmat and I found it overwhelming enough to learn everything else so why bother with something I don't or won't need for quite some time. Others here will tell you that it is better to get it all at once. But with prime you get the permit and CDL in MO then transfer it to your home state. That is when you are supposed to go through the hazmat hassle...so it wasnt convenient for me...or "all at once with everything else". I make plenty of miles and money without it. Adam on here just upgraded to solo at prime and he is already running hazmat loads.
Prime states you "must get hazmat and passport"... But I never got mine and never renewed my passport. So they just don't give me hazmat or Canada loads. No biggie. Still plenty of freight for me to run.
Also realize that once you get to a company... Any company, you will need another physical which they pay for. Be honest about your history.
Something else to consider are APUs and inverters. We have them so no idling the truck for a/c or heat. Plus no dead truck batteries due to refrigerators or other appliances running. I'm spoiled. Lol we have inverters to plug stuff into regular wall outlets. Other people don't care about this stuff, so it depends on what is important to you. But more stuff on the truck...means more stuff that can put you in the shop and not making money.
There isn't a driver on here who isn't happy with their company. Otherwise we would leave once we get the first year experience. ;). Which means there are a lot of good companies out there. ;)
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
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.
APU:
Auxiliary Power Unit
On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.
Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.
APUs:
Auxiliary Power Unit
On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.
Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.
To bad my company doesn't do CDL schooling, otherwise I would get the chance to do a shameless plug, lol.
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.
My questions are all answered, thanks again...
Lastly I'm just nervous about leaving my employer and getting to training/orientation and failing the physical. I know my blood pressure is fine. I'm a little on the chunky side. I don't take any medications. What's with the sleep apnea deal? Not worried about the drug test. What do they look for on the physical? Do they require your complete medical history?
Sleep Apnea:
A physical disorder in which you have pauses in your breathing, or take shallow breaths, during sleep. These pauses can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. Normal breathing will usually resume, sometimes with a loud choking sound or snort.
In obstructive sleep apnea, your airways become blocked or collapse during sleep, causing the pauses and shallow breathing.
It is a chronic condition that will require ongoing management. It affects about 18 million people in the U.S.
- Getting Started With The DOT Physical
- DOT Blood Pressure Requirements
- DOT Drug and Alcohol Policies & Testing
- DOT Eye & Vision Exam Requirements
- DOT Hearing Requirements
- DOT Physical - Driver Exemptions
- Hair Follicle vs. Urinalysis Drug Testing: Breakdown By Company
- Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) Guidelines & Advice
- Sleep Apnea , Truck Drivers, & BMI Calculator
- Sleep Apnea Information & BMI Calculator
- Forum Topics Tagged "Sleep Apnea"
- Article: The Sleep Apnea Witch Hunt
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.
Hypertension:
Abnormally high blood pressure.
Sleep Apnea:
A physical disorder in which you have pauses in your breathing, or take shallow breaths, during sleep. These pauses can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. Normal breathing will usually resume, sometimes with a loud choking sound or snort.
In obstructive sleep apnea, your airways become blocked or collapse during sleep, causing the pauses and shallow breathing.
It is a chronic condition that will require ongoing management. It affects about 18 million people in the U.S.
BMI:
Body mass index (BMI)
BMI is a formula that uses weight and height to estimate body fat. For most people, BMI provides a reasonable estimate of body fat. The BMI's biggest weakness is that it doesn't consider individual factors such as bone or muscle mass. BMI may:
- Underestimate body fat for older adults or other people with low muscle mass
- Overestimate body fat for people who are very muscular and physically fit
It's quite common, especially for men, to fall into the "overweight" category if you happen to be stronger than average. If you're pretty strong but in good shape then pay no attention.
Ok I'll check those out. A while ago I started a new birth control and became depressed and anxious after a few weeks. I didn't know why I was suddenly feeling so awful, went to dr and depression was a side effect of the birth control. Doctor suggested switching or ceasing hormonal birth control and taking ssri 'in case' it wasn't related to b/c. I quit the birth control and took the ssri for about 3 weeks. stopped taking it as I felt normal and doctor wasn't convinced I really would need it. I didn't know if that would be of concern for employment.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Holy smokes. I have to take 8 hour training once every 3 years here. To ship the occasional safety device or used fuel tank or injector or whathave you. I guess it's only to my benefit in the end. Good to know though.
Interestingly enough - if a company hauls HM, they are supposed to do "ongoing training" with drivers that haul it semi-annually. Typically, it's as simple as watching a few videos, but they are supposed to do it - and SUPPOSED TO DOCUMENT that they have in fact, done it.
I did HM training for the Longshoremans Union, required to work on the port. It consists of recognizing hazards and RUN AWAY AND TELL SOMEONE, in the event of a leak or spill.
There's no "running away" if you are a driver hauling HM.
Rick
My questions are all answered, thanks again...
Lastly I'm just nervous about leaving my employer and getting to training/orientation and failing the physical. I know my blood pressure is fine. I'm a little on the chunky side. I don't take any medications. What's with the sleep apnea deal? Not worried about the drug test. What do they look for on the physical? Do they require your complete medical history?
I can only tell you about prime. They will give you the apnea test AFTER you get your CDL and are an employee. The testbis about $500 which they take $50 per pay. If you need a cpap , then its an additional $25 per week...I believe. After the test they then give you yet another physical.
I took the test but did not have the apnea. They base it on BMI and neck circumference. The testing facility is in the prime motel.
As far as your BC..that is normal and situational depression that they won't be concerned with. They are more concerned with on going issues.
On a side note....we have a doctors office in our main terminal that will do pap smears write BC scripts ;). You can do it without taking home time ;). Makes things easier.
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.
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.
Sleep Apnea:
A physical disorder in which you have pauses in your breathing, or take shallow breaths, during sleep. These pauses can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. Normal breathing will usually resume, sometimes with a loud choking sound or snort.
In obstructive sleep apnea, your airways become blocked or collapse during sleep, causing the pauses and shallow breathing.
It is a chronic condition that will require ongoing management. It affects about 18 million people in the U.S.
BMI:
Body mass index (BMI)
BMI is a formula that uses weight and height to estimate body fat. For most people, BMI provides a reasonable estimate of body fat. The BMI's biggest weakness is that it doesn't consider individual factors such as bone or muscle mass. BMI may:
- Underestimate body fat for older adults or other people with low muscle mass
- Overestimate body fat for people who are very muscular and physically fit
It's quite common, especially for men, to fall into the "overweight" category if you happen to be stronger than average. If you're pretty strong but in good shape then pay no attention.
CPAP:
Constant Positive Airway Pressure
CPAP is a breathing assist device which is worn over the mouth or nose. It provides nighttime relief for individuals who suffer from Sleep Apnea.
I can only tell you about prime. They will give you the apnea test AFTER you get your CDL and are an employee. The testbis about $500 which they take $50 per pay. If you need a cpap , then its an additional $25 per week...I believe. After the test they then give you yet another physical.
Hmm, I'm middle aged, overweight, I have OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) which is fully controlled by CPAP at very low pressure. I assume they wouldn't charge me $500 for a sleep study I don't need? I'm OK with handing them the data card from my AUTOPAP if they want to see exactly what my nighttime breathing patterns are.
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.
Sleep Apnea:
A physical disorder in which you have pauses in your breathing, or take shallow breaths, during sleep. These pauses can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. Normal breathing will usually resume, sometimes with a loud choking sound or snort.
In obstructive sleep apnea, your airways become blocked or collapse during sleep, causing the pauses and shallow breathing.
It is a chronic condition that will require ongoing management. It affects about 18 million people in the U.S.
CPAP:
Constant Positive Airway Pressure
CPAP is a breathing assist device which is worn over the mouth or nose. It provides nighttime relief for individuals who suffer from Sleep Apnea.
I had an Apnea test 4 years ago, not for a DOT issue, and did not have enough incidents in a night, so it was negative. Scenario here for anyone in the know, let's says Prime gives you the test, comes back you need a CPAP , can you buy one elsewhere or do you have to buy theirs? I am just curious as to how they handle it, I am a shopper, and if I could save a few hundred buying it elsewhere, why wouldn't I?
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.
CPAP:
Constant Positive Airway Pressure
CPAP is a breathing assist device which is worn over the mouth or nose. It provides nighttime relief for individuals who suffer from Sleep Apnea.
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Swift requires the CDL A permit and the medical card before attending Swift Academy. Once you apply on-line, a recruiter will contact you to explain the particulars and where to get your physical (it used to be Concentra).
Prime,... I believe (Rainy will correct me) you get your permit during their initial phase of training.
Happy to answer any additional Swift questions. Good luck.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
Company Sponsored Training:
A Company-Sponsored Training Program is a school that is owned and operated by a trucking company.
The schooling often requires little or no money up front. Instead of paying up-front tuition you will sign an agreement to work for the company for a specified amount of time after graduation, usually around a year, at a slightly lower rate of pay in order to pay for the training.
If you choose to quit working for the company before your year is up, they will normally require you to pay back a prorated amount of money for the schooling. The amount you pay back will be comparable to what you would have paid if you went to an independently owned school.
Company-sponsored training can be an excellent way to get your career underway if you can't afford the tuition up front for private schooling.