Ready For School.
Topic 32342 | Page 1
So I passed the DOT physical and got my learners permit this past Monday. I'll be attending the Tampa Truck Driving School in November; my plans are to seek pre-hire letters from Knight and Swift (they are both relatively close to home). As a service vet I am excited to have a job again that feels like it matters and gives a sense of purpose. Just wanted to share my excitement. You all stay safe out there :)
Welcome to Trucking Truth, Scotty!!
Congrats; your excitement is felt, and welcome here~!
I'm from Florida (via NY) myself; I know, there aren't many training companies that hire from that area. Had you looked into any paid training, before you went the pay your own way schooling? There ARE a few! (Note, few..) Cypress comes to mind. Prime, CFI, and some of the other large carriers often hire freshies from Florida, too.
Here's some great reading & studying materials, as you progress in your journey:
- Truck Driver's Career Guide
- Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
- High Road CDL Training Program
- CDL Practice Tests
When you get towards the end of schooling, especially with whom you are looking into now, Apply For Truck Driving Jobs.
Good on you, looking into prehires. Here's some info relative, too:
- 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"
Best to ya, going forward; stop back and let us know how things go, and feel free to ask ANY questions on here that you may have. There's a wealth of knowledge within these 'walls!'
Keep learning~
~ Anne ~
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.
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.
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.
Prehire:
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.
Prehires:
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.
Thank you Anne!! I'm fortunate that my GI Bill will be paying the tuition. That's a lot of great information in those links and much appreciated :)
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Thank you Anne!! I'm fortunate that my GI Bill will be paying the tuition. That's a lot of great information in those links and much appreciated :)
Scotty B.;
You're certainly welcome!! Glad you found us; stick around & share your story, ask the pro folks any questions, as they arise; or ask me, and I'll hook you up with the link, haha!
There's a huge presence of veterans in here; and we're always grateful.
Thank YOU, as well !
~ Anne
ps: Not to inundate you, but . . . here's some MORE links, re: Veterans ! Veterans Into Trucking; Links & Blogs.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.New Reply:
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So I passed the DOT physical and got my learners permit this past Monday. I'll be attending the Tampa Truck Driving School in November; my plans are to seek pre-hire letters from Knight and Swift (they are both relatively close to home). As a service vet I am excited to have a job again that feels like it matters and gives a sense of purpose. Just wanted to share my excitement. You all stay safe out there :)
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.
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.