Trainer

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Michael F.'s Comment
member avatar

Does anyone know if it is legal for a road trainer to spend all of his or her time in the sleeper while I drive?

Rick S.'s Comment
member avatar

If you are on a CLP (permit) it IS ILLEGAL - a CLP requires a FULLY LICENSED CDL DRIVER to be in the passenger seat beside you.

If you have passed all your DMV testing and have a FULL CDL-A - no. It is NOT ILLEGAL.

If you're still on a CLP and you get pulled over - BIG TROUBLE.

Rick

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.

Deleted Account's Comment
member avatar

What company, and phase of training is it? Some companies run training as a team truck, others REQUIRE the trainer to be in the passenger seat the entire time and be logged on duty.

PackRat's Comment
member avatar

Sometime back (maybe as long as a year ago), CRST applied for an FMCSA waiver for the "licensed driver must be in the passenger seat with a learner's permit student driving" scenario.

As far as I know, this waiver was granted.

CSA:

Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)

The CSA is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are related to commercial motor vehicle

FMCSA:

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

The FMCSA was established within the Department of Transportation on January 1, 2000. Their primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries.

What Does The FMCSA Do?

  • Commercial Drivers' Licenses
  • Data and Analysis
  • Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement
  • Research and Technology
  • Safety Assistance
  • Support and Information Sharing

Fm:

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.
Rick S.'s Comment
member avatar

Sometime back (maybe as long as a year ago), CRST applied for an FMCSA waiver for the "licensed driver must be in the passenger seat with a learner's permit student driving" scenario.

As far as I know, this waiver was granted.

That would be INSANE. Dunno that I would want to be anywhere other than watching someone on a CLP's every move - though others might be content to die in their sleep (LOL).

To my knowledge (according to CRST's site, and other sources), you don't attend orientation and go out for onboarding UNTIL YOU COMPLETE CDL-A School, and have a full CDL-A in-hand. So unless they've changed their training methodology? It also appears (again) from some research, they've changed what they charge for training to $2,500 (the lawsuit?) and you can pre-pay and not sign an "indentured servitude contract".

So I'm not sure why they would even need a waiver to allow CLP drivers, without direct supervision.

I was one of the first students to "test out" in my school - so I got the joy of "riding shotgun", when we went out on city streets, with folks that were struggling to get their skills to a passing level.

As far as the OP goes - it would be LEGAL for the "trainer" to be in the sleeper, if he's already fully licensed - but if it's the "initial phase" of training, he's not going to learn a heckuvalot from the "experience trainer" if the guy/gal spends ALL his time in the sleeper. If he's already past his "initial phase" (prime-speak for PSP) and into his OTR/Finishing phase (TNT) - then the truck would run as a team op, so it would be typical for the trainer to be in the sleeper while he was driving. OTOH - Prime PSP has people on a CLP - and (typically) runs as a solo with the trainee running all the miles (and trainer On Duty/Not Driving) during those miles, then switches to team after they get licensed.

I guess there's a difference between what's "legal" and what's desirable. And from what we've heard here @ TT - some trainers ACTUALLY TRAIN - and some just use the trainee to run miles for them.

Rick

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.

CSA:

Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)

The CSA is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are related to commercial motor vehicle

FMCSA:

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

The FMCSA was established within the Department of Transportation on January 1, 2000. Their primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries.

What Does The FMCSA Do?

  • Commercial Drivers' Licenses
  • Data and Analysis
  • Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement
  • Research and Technology
  • Safety Assistance
  • Support and Information Sharing

Fm:

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.

HOS:

Hours Of Service

HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.

TNT:

Trainer-N-Trainee

Prime Inc has their own CDL training program and it's divided into two phases - PSD and TNT.

The PSD (Prime Student Driver) phase is where you'll get your permit and then go on the road for 10,000 miles with a trainer. When you come back you'll get your CDL license and enter the TNT phase.

The TNT phase is the second phase of training where you'll go on the road with an experienced driver for 30,000 miles of team driving. You'll receive 14¢ per mile ($700 per week guaranteed) during this phase. Once you're finished with TNT training you will be assigned a truck to run solo.

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.

Trucker Kearsey 's Comment
member avatar

The waiver Pack rat mentioned I believe was what Prime, CRE England and others have but the wording is confusing in headlines.

it says "CPL holder" but it is for those who passed their skills exam but have not gotten their actual CDL of their home state yet. So technically they are CPL holders until they get that CDL in their hands. It allows them to drive and make money until they get home. However they did pass the exam.

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.

HOS:

Hours Of Service

HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Rick S.'s Comment
member avatar

The waiver Pack rat mentioned I believe was what Prime, CRE England and others have but the wording is confusing in headlines.

it says "CPL holder" but it is for those who passed their skills exam but have not gotten their actual CDL of their home state yet. So technically they are CPL holders until they get that CDL in their hands. It allows them to drive and make money until they get home. However they did pass the exam.

Thanks for the clarification. There was a bunch of stuff that FMCSA gave waivers on - as well as some state DMV's, due to COVID.

Since most (technically ALL) states require CDL renewals to be done IN PERSON - and most states DMV's were CLOSED - it's kind of hard to renew your CDL at the moment (especially if you hold a HazMat and need to take the written and re-do your prints again).

Also kind of hard to test out and pass your skills - then go home and get your CDL License - if you cannot get into the DMV to do it. There's still a lot to figure out due to the WuFlu - and with cases ramping up again - I don't think we're going to see things get "back to normal" for quite some time (if ever).

Gives me a migraine just thinking about it.

Rick

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

CSA:

Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)

The CSA is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are related to commercial motor vehicle

FMCSA:

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

The FMCSA was established within the Department of Transportation on January 1, 2000. Their primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries.

What Does The FMCSA Do?

  • Commercial Drivers' Licenses
  • Data and Analysis
  • Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement
  • Research and Technology
  • Safety Assistance
  • Support and Information Sharing

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.

Fm:

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.

HOS:

Hours Of Service

HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Stevo Reno's Comment
member avatar

When I finished CRSTs school, we were taken right to the dmv , and got the temp paper copy of our cdl. Once the 28 days out was done and off trainers truck for 4 days home. Which my hard copy had arrived at home by then.

But as far as that $2500 school costs pfffft think its more like $1500 !!

Here's why, 3 weeks ago I started seeing a $375 "driver trainer" amount added to my gross earnings, THEN. After I was taxed,@ a higher tax rate that $375 was deducted !! Asked DM WTF this was?? Got an answer that made no sense. Once I sent a Macro to Management boy he called me right away!!

Told that add on amount is IRS's way to tax ME for the "value" of what CRST pays the school !!

I asked him again why wasnt any of this disclosed at the start. Since we never got or will get copies of actual contracts signed.

1 week left of 4 weeks of this BS "Tax" not happy camper paying double tax outta my checks, literally costin me an extra $150-200 out of my pockets.

Lol sitting stranded in Rawlins, Wy. TA. Knew we'd get screwed by bad weather on this load to Portland... I HATE WY/NEB 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.

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.

Leeva804's Comment
member avatar

Does anyone know if it is legal for a road trainer to spend all of his or her time in the sleeper while I drive?

Lol man after my trainer trained me a week I still couldn’t get him to leave me alone. He stayed glued to me in the passenger seat. I wanted him gone so much I just wanted to drive and do me.

Want an idiot I was. Your trainer clearly doesn’t care enough. Get on him about it or get someone new. He needs to be up there giving you advice constantly.

The reason why is there is some stuff my trainer told me that I freaking remember to this day while he spoke in the front seat. It saved me from some big mistakes early on

Trucker Kearsey 's Comment
member avatar

Still the OP never said if he was a CDL holder. I am a team trainer and yes I sleep while the trainee is driving

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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