New At Truck Driving
Topic 27664 | Page 1
Susan, you feel free to ask as many questions as you like in here. We totally understand your situation. There's just no way to cover everything you'll encounter while in training. This job is mostly learned by doing.
Each new day brings new scenarios we haven't seen before. It requires some initiative and some good problem solving skills. Collectively you've got a great group of mentors right here in this forum. When you are just curious, or when you seriously need some help or advice, we want you to feel free to ask us. We don't bite and we don't speak down to new drivers. We are genuinely interested in helping you make this transition a good one.
Hang in there - you're in for the ride of your life!
Welcome... i started at 41. Many of us started later in life. We understand your fear and anxiety, it goes away with time. There are so many scenarios in trucking that it cant all be covered in training.
we have various blog articles here and I have a Youtube channel with lots of rookie tips for newly solo drivers... things my trainer didnt tell.me but i learned along the way.
feel free to ask us anything, or just vent
Hey. Susan, welcome! Old School is right, ask anything here. You'll get several good answers.
Also, take a look at the trucker blog. Look at the top left corner of the page and see three bars. Touch on then and a menu pops up. Trucking Blog is the first one. You might look through Trucking Wiki.
Here's a good first article, and it was recently posted in the Blog: Trucking Is A Lifestyle: Some Tips For Surving Life On The Road
Enjoy!
Welcome to the Trucking Truth site, Susan S.! We're glad you're here and we will answer any questions you have.
It will be a most difficult time for you in the near future, so hang in there! If it was easy, any idiot could do it. The frustration, pain, headaches, and hopelessness you may encounter in the first weeks and months are going to be trying, yet worthwhile because you'll be learning so much as a rookie. In a month, you'll know six times more than you do today; in six months, it will be ten times greater than that! The payoff will be worth it, I promise.
Don't be afraid to ask questions here. Ever.
DAC:
Drive-A-Check Report
A truck drivers DAC report will contain detailed information about their job history of the last 10 years as a CDL driver (as required by the DOT).
It may also contain your criminal history, drug test results, DOT infractions and accident history. The program is strictly voluntary from a company standpoint, but most of the medium-to-large carriers will participate.
Most trucking companies use DAC reports as part of their hiring and background check process. It is extremely important that drivers verify that the information contained in it is correct, and have it fixed if it's not.
Welcome Susan. I agree with all the above and won’t just repeat it all again.
Age makes no difference. Attitude and willingness to succeed makes all the difference.
One statement you made though gives me pause. You said you will be with pam at least until your tution is paid. That leads me to believe you have at least some negative aspects identified at this point and are thinking ahead.
Do yourself a huge favor. Put anything like that in a box and leave it there. Having those types of predispositions in your mind will hold you back, because they are taking up space in your thinking that can be better utilized for learning right now. Foscus on the here and now and worry about later, later at the appropriate time. You will need all your attention and foscus right now to become a successful driver.
None of us knows what tomorrow holds, so make the most out of today!!
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Hi everyone im new at truck driving. I work for Pam Transportation until i get my CDL tuition paid for. Im a 55 year old female and this is my last chance in life and my first week driving and can use all the help i can get. My mentor didnt explain half the things i needed to know
Don't put the added stress on yourself that this is the LAST chance in your life.
This is just the beginning of a new life! Your CDL has opened doors to many options. Hopefully PAM will fulfill your needs but if not you can have a fallback.
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 everyone im new at truck driving. I work for Pam Transportation until i get my CDL tuition paid for. Im a 55 year old female and this is my last chance in life and my first week driving and can use all the help i can get. My mentor didnt explain half the things i needed to know
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles: