Starting On My Path To A Career In Trucking!
Topic 26835 | Page 1
Best of luck to your Brandon. Yes this will be challenging, and unlike anything you've done before. But you'll be fine if you just keep your head in the game.
Be sure to come with us with any questions.
Today I took and passed my DOT Physical! I also spoke to my recruiter and updated her on my progress towards gaining my permit. I plan to take my Permit test day after tomorrow.
From what I gathered from the recruiter, pending nothing happens, I will be hired into the flat bed fleet.
I'm getting more excited and a little anxious.
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.
Had my interview today with Josi my recruiter! Things seemed to go well! Taking my permit test tomorrow and if things go good it sounds like I may start training on November 18th.
Today I took my CDL Permit test and passed on the first try! A big thanks to High Road CDL Training Program. Emailed my Roehl Recruiter Josi to let her know. As long as nothing goes wrong, it looks like I will be heading to Gary, Indiana for training starting November 25th.
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.
Nice job passing everything the first time!
Congrats! That's a great first step.
So today I received my letter telling me my start date! I'll be starting training in Gary, Indiana on November 25th. I guess it will be good to learn in the snow, instead of running into snow for the first time after I'm solo.
Now to start getting things ready to leave!
Hey Brandon,
I just passed my CDL training at the Appleton WI location on Wednesday. I have to say I very much enjoyed the training.
If it's anything like I went through the days are 0630 to 1730 Monday-Friday with a little class time on Saturdays, after that you have the rest of Saturday and Sunday to enjoy to yourself or if you take off to see your family or whatever. One thing I will stress is GET PLENTY OF SLEEP!
I was put into a hotel, which I stayed at the entire month with a roommate. Most of us got along with our roommates so we had no problems.
Roehl tries to put through 8 students per week, my group was very awesome and got along with all of them. During your training you'll be split into groups of 4 and put with an instructor.
Week 1 we started with a fitness test and orientation, basics of trucking, road rules and so on. By mid week we were finally out in a truck driving through the terminal yard learning how to operate the truck. We also started learning how to do pre trip inspections. The end of the week we would do a drive through light traffic areas.
Weeks 2 and 3 half of every day we would be backing the truck and trailer and the other half we would be driving. The backs we did were straight line, offset, and the 90 degree alley dock.
Week 4 we spent Monday polishing whatever skills we needed to work on, Teusday the other group tested and on Wednesday my group tested.
Take your training seriously, they want to see you are improving your understanding of how to operate a CMV , ask your instructor questions you may have along the way. Best of luck to you!
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.
CMV:
Commercial Motor Vehicle
A CMV is a vehicle that is used as part of a business, is involved in interstate commerce, and may fit any of these descriptions:
- Weighs 10,001 pounds or more
- Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more
- Is designed or used to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver) not for compensation
- Is designed or used to transport 9 or more passengers (including the driver) for compensation
- Is transporting hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placards
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I've been a firefighter for 19 years as well as a 911 Dispatcher for the last 12 years. I've decided to pursue a career in trucking. I've wanted to do this since I was a kid riding in my Grandfather's rig.
Currently I have been given a conditional offer from Roehl Transport for their CDL program. I have my DOT physical tomorrow and will be taking my CDL permit test on Thursday. These are necessary steps to progress with the process. I should be having a phone interview with them sometime soon as well.
I have no doubt this will be a challenge unlike anything I've done in my life to this point. Although I'm a little nervous of making a career change at this age, I'm also excited with the possibility of this career and with hard work what it could mean for my family.
Thank you all for any input you may have with the Roehl CDL training program.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
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.
Dispatcher:
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.