Guidance Needed For Recent CDL License Holder
Topic 23967 | Page 1
Hello
How long have you been holding a CDL and not driving? Or are you local driver?
Chris
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.
Bruce, most of your preferences are reasonable. Let me talk about a few things.
1) They all have good training, but it would pain me to see you choose a company to start your career with based on something as short sighted as the length of their training. That is barely a blip on the radar screen. Training is over in no time. That being said, Prime is really the only company I know of with a super long training schedule, but their training pay is actually about the best in the industry, and so is their regular pay, and I believe they also meet all of the other criteria you mentioned.
2) Forget about the sign on bonus. It's short sighted. It's far more important to pick the right company for the right reasons, and that ain't one of em.
3) The governed speed - again, drop that idea. Most companies are below 65 and it makes no difference whatsoever. I'm certain a bunch of our experienced drivers who run under 65 will be happy to chime in here. They're all going to tell you they make top wages and are perfectly happy running below 65. Again, the wrong reason to pick a company.
4) If you want to see as much of the country as possible, pick a refrigerated carrier that runs all 48 states. You will be away from home for 3 - 4 weeks at a time, but you'll see more of the country than with most other types of freight.
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.
I've sought advice here and have always received great input. Now I need to get more specific. I have my CDL and am looking for a starting job in the industry. I've been going through company reviews on Trucking Truth. I consider it a process of elimination. Here are my considerations: 1) Would like to get good training. Willing to drive with a trainer for 4 weeks, but not 6 to 12 weeks. (4 weeks is all I can go on training pay). 2) Willing to stay at least 1 year with my first company, preferably much longer. 3) Willing to listen, learn and work my butt off. 4) I have a 14 year old grandson, so I need a company with a ride along policy. 5) Would like tuition reimbursement. 6) Sign on bonus???????? 7) Would like governed speed to be no less that 65 mph 8) Ability to take my truck home with me. 9) OTR routes including western states. I can be out for 4 weeks at a time. Are these reasonable considerations for an entry level CDL holder? What companies would I be compatible with? Some companies I have already eliminated because of factors listed above. I'm interested to hear the advice of the experienced drivers and also those who are in the process of choosing what companies to apply for. Thanks in advance!
Except for OTR routes for solo in western states I work for Total Transportation who I believe treat drivers good, they are owned by US express but have there own separate management and terminals..
Ask for recruiting and Dawn Corey, all you could do is talk to recruiting to see what they have..
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.
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.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service 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.
Governed speed is 68mph..
(Total Teanspirtation) Governed speed is 68mph..
Unless something has changed, Total wants a minimum of 3 months of experience, which implies they do not road train. Brian needs that.
As always, sound wisdom. (See: Jeremiah Johnson/Robert Redford)
Thanks Brett, appreciate your input. As for Army's question, I just passed my CDL test last Saturday (Dec 1, 2018). Not interested in local, only OTR. I want to see some country, baby! Went to DMV today and got my license certificate. Actual license comes in 7 to 10 days.
About the governed MPH, I read on the company reviews that Schneider trucks don't go over 60 mph. Is that accurate? Wouldn't that be a disadvantage if the driver was getting CPM????
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.
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.DMV:
Department of Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
The state agency that handles everything related to your driver's licences, including testing, issuance, transfers, and revocation.
CPM:
Cents Per Mile
Drivers are often paid by the mile and it's given in cents per mile, or cpm.
About the governed MPH, I read on the company reviews that Schneider trucks don't go over 60 mph. Is that accurate? Wouldn't that be a disadvantage if the driver was getting CPM????
Nope. I wrote about this in an article.. Im at Prime and am.governed at 62mph, ut still averages 60. I do pretty well.
The Need for Speed Can Hurt You
CPM:
Cents Per Mile
Drivers are often paid by the mile and it's given in cents per mile, or cpm.
About the governed MPH, I read on the company reviews that Schneider trucks don't go over 60 mph. Is that accurate? Wouldn't that be a disadvantage if the driver was getting CPM????
No, that would not be a disadvantage in reality, only in theory. Here's a long discussion we had about it:
CPM:
Cents Per Mile
Drivers are often paid by the mile and it's given in cents per mile, or cpm.
Schneider company trucks are currently governed at 63.
As always, sound wisdom. (See: Jeremiah Johnson/Robert Redford)
Thanks Brett, appreciate your input. As for Army's question, I just passed my CDL test last Saturday (Dec 1, 2018). Not interested in local, only OTR. I want to see some country, baby! Went to DMV today and got my license certificate. Actual license comes in 7 to 10 days.
About the governed MPH, I read on the company reviews that Schneider trucks don't go over 60 mph. Is that accurate? Wouldn't that be a disadvantage if the driver was getting CPM????
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.
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.DMV:
Department of Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
The state agency that handles everything related to your driver's licences, including testing, issuance, transfers, and revocation.
CPM:
Cents Per Mile
Drivers are often paid by the mile and it's given in cents per mile, or cpm.
New Reply:
New! Check out our help videos for a better understanding of our forum features
Preview:
This topic has the following tags:
Advice For New Truck Drivers Choosing A Trucking Company Company Sponsored CDL Training Free CDL Training Paid CDL Training Refrigerated Truck Driving Lifestyle
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
I've sought advice here and have always received great input. Now I need to get more specific. I have my CDL and am looking for a starting job in the industry. I've been going through company reviews on Trucking Truth. I consider it a process of elimination. Here are my considerations: 1) Would like to get good training. Willing to drive with a trainer for 4 weeks, but not 6 to 12 weeks. (4 weeks is all I can go on training pay). 2) Willing to stay at least 1 year with my first company, preferably much longer. 3) Willing to listen, learn and work my butt off. 4) I have a 14 year old grandson, so I need a company with a ride along policy. 5) Would like tuition reimbursement. 6) Sign on bonus???????? 7) Would like governed speed to be no less that 65 mph 8) Ability to take my truck home with me. 9) OTR routes including western states. I can be out for 4 weeks at a time. Are these reasonable considerations for an entry level CDL holder? What companies would I be compatible with? Some companies I have already eliminated because of factors listed above. I'm interested to hear the advice of the experienced drivers and also those who are in the process of choosing what companies to apply for. Thanks in advance!
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
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.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service 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.