Want To Become A Trucker
Topic 32222 | Page 2
As a U.S. citizen weren't you required to file income taxes for many of those years. Those records can be used to verify where you were and what you were doing.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Hi Laura, that’s awesome to hear how companies like us older people. I’m mainly just looking for experience and to really hit the road.
Since I was a kid I’ve always thought truckers and trucking is so cool. I mean who doesn’t want to drive Optimus Prime everyday?
Welcome to Trucking Truth, Johnny G. !!
Optimus Prime; that's funny! Apply for the REAL Prime here: Apply For Paid CDL Training
As the above posters have mentioned, if you can get credible letters (preferably notarized) regarding anything stateside, that's a huge step in the right direction. Ha! You don't EVEN compete w/ some of us 50 plus'ers on here; I just posted a meme the other day (its in my photo gallery!) that 60 is the new 40. Without calling 'discrimination,' many companies will often choose the 'mature breed' over the gen x/y/z .. etc.(or so it seems, because indeed that would BE discrimination!) LoL..... StevoReno can add to that; I'll see if I can get him to join the thread, from the Phillipines.
Indeed, thank you for your service! That's a HUGE plus, for many (if not all) trucking/training companies. We've MANY vets on Trucking Truth, that's for sure! PapaPig has some REALLY good reads, as to how HE got into the industry; if you can search 'comments by members' on the previous page of blue tabs.
Irony abides, as usual. The owner/creator of this site, actually went from trucking (beginning in his teens?) and 15 years in, went into his OWN iT world of programming and web creation; ergo, this site!
I'm better at PodCasts than writing, but have none to attach; Brett on the other hand does, right on this site....check some out!
Some of the BEST links (and Brett's book) can be found here:
- Truck Driver's Career Guide
- Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
- High Road CDL Training Program
- CDL Practice Tests
Best wishes; this group is here to help!~
~ Anne ~
ps: Re; Prime videos >>>Truckin' Along w/Kearsey!
Thanks Mrs Anne! Again thanks again for the reassurance that I’m not too old lol.
Glad to hear the trucking industry welcomes vets. Crazy thing is when I was in VFX world every interview except my first, I never disclosed my time in the military because we’re nothing but stupid people that couldn’t get into college to them.
I’ll definitely listen to your podcasts if you let me know where. I’ll binge listen to all of it while I study, cook, etc.
As for getting letters notarized I’ve been calling some of my big previous clients to help. Most of them have been telling me I can even give whichever company their private number and company emails to talk to them direct.
Great to know this forum helps out aspiring truckers
Thank you
Johnny
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.
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.
Welcome here Johnny, thee best place really to get the real deal on trucking. No fluff here, just the honest truth what this industry offers, and the best way to get into it !! TT is a vast wealth of knowledge and experience.... I had prior stints of unemployment or self employed, when I started at 60, in 2019. Drove 3 years til I retired this past March, and moved to the Philippines to enjoy part 2 of life here. lol
I did get 2 letters stating my lack of recent 3 year jobs, 1 from my best bud of 55 years, and 1 from an old boss, I've known over 20+ years on his company letter head. Didn't even get em "notarized", and really didn't need to. I started out with CRST (they didn't verify letters), since they had dorm rooms etc at the Riverside, Cali terminal. Where we were bussed daily to the off site school, ASD. Easy peasy, within 10 days, I had my CDL , did the team driving thing for 22 months, took a 5 month break. Then got a solo job at Legends, for 4 months, until retiring. churning out 3000+ miles a week @ $0.59 cpm
So, yep no age descrimination in trucking that's for sure. Even had heard back when, a guy in his 70's got into driving truck lol
Ok, off to see if it rains today ughhh a gloomy day, and yep ! It's rained a LOT since I got here July 9th hahaha...Some wicked storms and hardest downpours ever experienced in my life !
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.
CPM:
Cents Per Mile
Drivers are often paid by the mile and it's given in cents per mile, or cpm.
Hi Laura, that’s awesome to hear how companies like us older people. I’m mainly just looking for experience and to really hit the road.
Since I was a kid I’ve always thought truckers and trucking is so cool. I mean who doesn’t want to drive Optimus Prime everyday?
Welcome to Trucking Truth, Johnny G. !!
Optimus Prime; that's funny! Apply for the REAL Prime here: Apply For Paid CDL Training
As the above posters have mentioned, if you can get credible letters (preferably notarized) regarding anything stateside, that's a huge step in the right direction. Ha! You don't EVEN compete w/ some of us 50 plus'ers on here; I just posted a meme the other day (its in my photo gallery!) that 60 is the new 40. Without calling 'discrimination,' many companies will often choose the 'mature breed' over the gen x/y/z .. etc.(or so it seems, because indeed that would BE discrimination!) LoL..... StevoReno can add to that; I'll see if I can get him to join the thread, from the Phillipines.
Indeed, thank you for your service! That's a HUGE plus, for many (if not all) trucking/training companies. We've MANY vets on Trucking Truth, that's for sure! PapaPig has some REALLY good reads, as to how HE got into the industry; if you can search 'comments by members' on the previous page of blue tabs.
Irony abides, as usual. The owner/creator of this site, actually went from trucking (beginning in his teens?) and 15 years in, went into his OWN iT world of programming and web creation; ergo, this site!
I'm better at PodCasts than writing, but have none to attach; Brett on the other hand does, right on this site....check some out!
Some of the BEST links (and Brett's book) can be found here:
- Truck Driver's Career Guide
- Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
- High Road CDL Training Program
- CDL Practice Tests
Best wishes; this group is here to help!~
~ Anne ~
ps: Re; Prime videos >>>Truckin' Along w/Kearsey!
Thanks Mrs Anne! Again thanks again for the reassurance that I’m not too old lol.
Glad to hear the trucking industry welcomes vets. Crazy thing is when I was in VFX world every interview except my first, I never disclosed my time in the military because we’re nothing but stupid people that couldn’t get into college to them.
I’ll definitely listen to your podcasts if you let me know where. I’ll binge listen to all of it while I study, cook, etc.
As for getting letters notarized I’ve been calling some of my big previous clients to help. Most of them have been telling me I can even give whichever company their private number and coPmpany emails to talk to them direct.
Great to know this forum helps out aspiring truckers
Thank you
Johnny
It's all good, Johnny .. but the PodCasts are Brett's, not mine! I'd be a GREAT PodCaster because i LOVE to talk, and I talk MUCH better (descriptively) than I type, but the market is full.
Brett, on the other hand; DOES BOTH! Here ya go: Brett's Podcasts!
Best forward, man.. StevoReno had some great suggestions!
There's so much info to be HAD here, man! PapaPig left you a reply; great guy. He is fellow military; started with Werner...he did Dollar Stores, fresh out of school; not highly recommended...yet Larry (above) is making it work with Schneider..the same!
Our PapaPig is now a TRAINER, at an academy!! The doors are wide open, man. You're YOUNG, in this game!
~ Anne & Tom ~
ps: Pianoman (Paul..!) started in his 20's, as did Daniel B. ~ Both of these fine young gents have gone above and beyond, what the industry sees in a twenty'something nowdays. Look them both up, by tag; Daniel B. created the amazing PreTrip on this site, in his early days. He's now a dad!
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.
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.
Johnny
I think that paid training from a company would definitely be your best option. That way you can get pre checked out in the employment history and have an answer before you spend thousands of dollars on a school. Good luck!
This is what I’m definitely looking into. I’ve been looking into Swift and Knight Transportation just because they got a terminal in Fontana, Ca only 10 miles away from my house. But I’ll go to anyone that’s willing to accept me. The pay isn’t much of an issue for me since I really don’t have any bills except utilities and cell phone, everything is paid off, wife lives in Asia hopping around Taiwan, China, & Hong Kong, and no kids.
My plan for now is hope I get accepted into a company and drive OTR for a company for 2 years then I’ll do a self audit to see if Trucking is for me. If it is then I’d love to go buy a truck and box trailer and have it repainted to look like Optimus Prime.
Funny thing is one of the my main reason to get into trucking besides thinking it’s cool is to just see the country. When I was doing VFX I got the chance to travel all over Asia, Europe, and Australia. Only realized I never got to go all over the country I once helped protect.
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.
As a U.S. citizen weren't you required to file income taxes for many of those years. Those records can be used to verify where you were and what you were doing.
I forgot about filing for taxes. I got all years except 2019. Hopefully that’ll help when I do apply.
Also what do you guys suggest on when I should start applying? Now or after I take the test and get my permit?
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
As a U.S. citizen weren't you required to file income taxes for many of those years. Those records can be used to verify where you were and what you were doing.
I forgot about filing for taxes. I got all years except 2019. Hopefully that’ll help when I do apply.
Also what do you guys suggest on when I should start applying? Now or after I take the test and get my permit?
Johnny;
Considering this: Steps to obtaining a CDL , per FMCSA rules~
Many would agree, after. You'll need your DOT Medical Card before your CDLP; and be sure if you DON'T go company paid training, that your chosen school meets the new(er) ELDT rules and training criteria, of 02/07/22. CDL permits get stale, yet so do job applications. It's a type of 'dance' you need to coordinate. Pre hire letters are illustrated below; might be of help understanding the process, also.
- Article: Understanding Pre-Hire Letters: The What, Why, And How Of This Important Step
- Trucker's Wiki: "Pre-Hire Letters"
- Forum Topics Tagged "CDL Pre-Hire Letters"
The ELDT I mentioned above, ensures that a company (which they DO) or a school, which needs to be accredited, comply with the following:
Entry Level Driver Training criteria~
Wish you the best, Johnny! Listen to some of Brett's podcasts, as you have time.
Very sound advice, within this thread! 
~ Anne ~
ps: Folks that want my podcasts, usually just call me, hahaha! 
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.
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
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.
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.Pre-hire:
What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?
Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.
We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.
A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment
The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.
During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.
Pre Hire:
What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?
Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.
We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.
A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment
The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.
During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
Welcome here Johnny, thee best place really to get the real deal on trucking. No fluff here, just the honest truth what this industry offers, and the best way to get into it !! TT is a vast wealth of knowledge and experience.... I had prior stints of unemployment or self employed, when I started at 60, in 2019. Drove 3 years til I retired this past March, and moved to the Philippines to enjoy part 2 of life here. lol
I did get 2 letters stating my lack of recent 3 year jobs, 1 from my best bud of 55 years, and 1 from an old boss, I've known over 20+ years on his company letter head. Didn't even get em "notarized", and really didn't need to. I started out with CRST (they didn't verify letters), since they had dorm rooms etc at the Riverside, Cali terminal. Where we were bussed daily to the off site school, ASD. Easy peasy, within 10 days, I had my CDL , did the team driving thing for 22 months, took a 5 month break. Then got a solo job at Legends, for 4 months, until retiring. churning out 3000+ miles a week @ $0.59 cpm
So, yep no age descrimination in trucking that's for sure. Even had heard back when, a guy in his 70's got into driving truck lol
Ok, off to see if it rains today ughhh a gloomy day, and yep ! It's rained a LOT since I got here July 9th hahaha...Some wicked storms and hardest downpours ever experienced in my life !
That’s awesome. Letters and direct phone numbers I can get easily. Even if they wanted zoom calls in their offices would be easy for me to setup.
How do you like the Philippines? Where are you at over there? If you’re In Manila or Cebu let me know. I know some great people there that can hook you up with cheap prices for whatever you’re looking to do. I used to go Cebu for vacations a lot. Manila my buddy has a couple junkets at the Okada Casino
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.
CPM:
Cents Per Mile
Drivers are often paid by the mile and it's given in cents per mile, or cpm.
As a U.S. citizen weren't you required to file income taxes for many of those years. Those records can be used to verify where you were and what you were doing.
I forgot about filing for taxes. I got all years except 2019. Hopefully that’ll help when I do apply.
Also what do you guys suggest on when I should start applying? Now or after I take the test and get my permit?
Johnny;
Considering this: Steps to obtaining a CDL , per FMCSA rules~
Many would agree, after. You'll need your DOT Medical Card before your CDLP; and be sure if you DON'T go company paid training, that your chosen school meets the new(er) ELDT rules and training criteria, of 02/07/22. CDL permits get stale, yet so do job applications. It's a type of 'dance' you need to coordinate. Pre hire letters are illustrated below; might be of help understanding the process, also.
- Article: Understanding Pre-Hire Letters: The What, Why, And How Of This Important Step
- Trucker's Wiki: "Pre-Hire Letters"
- Forum Topics Tagged "CDL Pre-Hire Letters"
The ELDT I mentioned above, ensures that a company (which they DO) or a school, which needs to be accredited, comply with the following:
Entry Level Driver Training criteria~
Wish you the best, Johnny! Listen to some of Brett's podcasts, as you have time.
Very sound advice, within this thread!
~ Anne ~
ps: Folks that want my podcasts, usually just call me, hahaha!
Thanks Mrs. Anne, I’ll go get my permit first. Already read through the DMV CDL manual past halfway. Once I read it from end to end 2x then I should be ready.
I just listened to Brett’s podcast the past hour. It’s great information and I’ll be binge listening to all his stuff.
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.
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
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.
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.
Pre-hire:
What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?
Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.
We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.
A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment
The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.
During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.
Pre Hire:
What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?
Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.
We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.
A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment
The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.
During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
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Johnny
I think that paid training from a company would definitely be your best option. That way you can get pre checked out in the employment history and have an answer before you spend thousands of dollars on a school. Good luck!