The Wait Is Almost Over!
Topic 23969 | Page 1
Hi Freak (I hope you don't mind if I just use your first name. Haha) I can give you some advice that helped me in school. Before I went, I read as much as I could on Trucking Truth and I went through all the practice tests and looked up all the references and reviewed anything I got wrong. When I went to DMV to take the test for my CLP , I was well prepared and only messed up 2 questions on all the sections. Well that was the easy part. Then I started my 3 week course for my CDL. I found that my time spent on Trucking Truth gave me a head start over most of the other students. I asked as many as I could if they had prepared on Trucking Truth and I didn't find one who had even heard about it. But you have, so I would encourage you to soak up as much information as possible before you start training. Now that being said, I started school with the most book knowledge in the class but I was not the most capable driver once truck time started. This is a matter that varies from person to person. Most of the younger guys (I'm 66) were better because they seemed to process information better and were more coordinated. I kept up because I stayed after school a number of times and sat in a truck practicing with the clutch and shift pattern. The school allowed this but of course the truck wasn't running because an instructor was not in the cab with me. My point is that extra effort can really help and the sooner you start, the better for you. Good luck with your new career!
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.
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.
CLP:
Commercial Learner's Permit
Before getting their CDL, commercial drivers will receive their commercial learner's permit (CLP) upon passing the written portion of the CDL exam. They will not have to retake the written exam to get their CDL.
I'm not sure about the other companies but Roehl actually pays you during school.
In addition to reading everything here, start studying your pretrip with Daniel B's pretrip study guide
Thanks for the welcome, y'all!
Bruce K, "Freak" has been my nickname for over 20 years, no problem there! I'm pretty much taking the same approach that you are. Been studying the NC CDL manual for the past few months, and so far have done well on the online practice tests. Now it's time to hit High Road hot-n-heavy!
RealDiehl, Just found out today that I won't be going to Roehl after all. Got an event in my past that disqualifies me for at least another year. Fortunately, I've been told by both CFI and Keller that as soon as I get my CLP that I'm good to go for mid-January.
Han Solo Cup, Daniel's pretrip guide rocks! Got the PDF saved on my phone.
Time to get 'er done!
FreakTrain
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.
CLP:
Commercial Learner's Permit
Before getting their CDL, commercial drivers will receive their commercial learner's permit (CLP) upon passing the written portion of the CDL exam. They will not have to retake the written exam to get their CDL.
Definitely take a look at this if you haven't already
High Road CDL Training Program
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.
You're welcome. I saved Daniel's guide off even though I may not pursue this dream for another year or more. It's an extremely well laid out document. It's also been recommended, on this site to do a YouTube search for "Apex driving school pre-trip inspection"... yeah, I have a running Word document where I copy off all advice and links the experienced truckers here put up.
Pre-trip Inspection:
A pre-trip inspection is a thorough inspection of the truck completed before driving for the first time each day.
Federal and state laws require that drivers inspect their vehicles. Federal and state inspectors also may inspect your vehicles. If they judge a vehicle to be unsafe, they will put it “out of service” until it is repaired.
Freak,
The best advice I can give is to be patient and to listen. A lot of people make the mistake of going into orientation thinking they know everything and then get sent home. Also, enjoy the experience. I got my CDL when I first started driving in NC from Schneider when they had their school going.
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.
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Hi y'all! I've been lurking on TT for a few months now. Thank you Brett for such an awesome website... I've learned so much from everyone here. Anyway, it's now time for me to "get ducks in a row." If things go according to plan I'll be starting CDL school in mid-January. Been talking to recruiters from CFI, Keller Trucking, and Roehl, I'd be happy to drive for any of them. Hopefully I'll have a clearer picture in a week or so. Any words of wisdom are welcome. Thanks!
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles: