Starting Career With Prime?
Topic 3375 | Page 1
Hey Johnathan. It might make you feel better to know you're actually in great company. Your description fits the overwhelming majority of people coming into the trucking industry today. In fact, the average age of truck drivers is somewhere in the mid-to-late 40's and very few people pick truck driving as their first career. For most, it seems like their last chance at finding a good paying, blue collar job.
Not only that, but we have several people here in the forum that work for Prime and it's one of the most popular companies out there for new drivers to get started with. You'll find a ton of information about their program Prime Inc's training program at that link and you'll find journals from drivers who have gone through their training program in our CDL training diaries section of the forum.
My two other pieces of advice were going to be to use our High Road Training Program which I see you're already doing and your scores are excellent! The other would be to go through our Truck Driver's Career Guide if you haven't already. It will teach a lot of important points you'll need to know about getting your trucking career off to a great start.
Oh...and one more. Go to the DMV and get your permit with (preferably) all of the endorsements after you get through The High Road Program but before you leave for training with Prime. Students that show up with their permit get to begin doing other things while those who don't will go through classroom and study time for their exam. So that will put you ahead of the game.
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.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Morning Johnathan,
Prime is on my short list, in fact I already have a pre-hire from them. I'll be attending private school this May 5th. Attending Prime's company school wasn't an option for me and my family. There's a good bit of drivers with Prime on this forum, and some that are currently in training. Prime is an excellent choice.
I'm basically starting over myself. I have a beautiful wife and little girl that give me plenty of motivation to rise to the occasion and meet the challenges of starting a new career. I'm middle-aged, but young enough to be able to dedicate more than just one decade to this new career. In fact, I hoping to give a good 25-30 years, God willing. Trucking is something I've dreamed about since a kid. It's something brand new. My college degree and career experience for the past 17 years are in no way related to the trucking industry.
As Brett mentioned, the great thing about trucking, is that there's a lot of folks getting into it as a second, even third career. It's an industry that doesn't blink an eye at hiring at 40+ year old. A 40+ year old has every bit of a chance to be just as successful as a youngster. From what veteran drivers have said time and time again on this forum, all you need to succeed is a strong work ethic, great attitude, and a commitment to smart and safe driving.
Best wishes to you as you start this next chapter in your life - you're not alone!
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.
John, I'm a current driver for Prime. If you have any questions feel free to ask and ill answer them as quickly as possible.
I'm going to Prime also, maybe I will meet some of you :-) I start orientation on this Monday, April 21st. I'm a little nervous, but this website and forum is helping tremendously. I'm also praying for a "good" trainer, preferably a non-smoking female. So if there are any drivers/trainers that can help connect me, that would be awesome!
Best of luck,
Exquizit1
Jonathan,
Welcome to the forum, and to your new career choice.
I, like you, am starting a new career, am middle aged (51), married with two teenage daughters. I spent 25 years in construction and feel like it was time for me to move onto something entirely different and appealing.
It's exciting and nerve-racking at the same time, but something that I am sure will pay off and will be a rewarding experience.
Best of luck to you!
I'm 49 years old and find myself needing to start a new career. It's scary at this age to start something new, especially something like a career in truck driving.
49?? 51??? You guys are children, whaddaya talking? Try 62!! Now THAT'S on Ole' Fart. That's where I'm startin' from . . . Going with "Prime" too . . . seems to be a lot of us "Prime Cuts" out there (oops, don't want to use that word "CUT" in the same sentence as Prime, now do we?) In any case, Exquizit1, I'm set to arrive and start the 21st myself (according to your photo, you dress kinds weird . . . won't that kinda get in the way of the steering wheel or gear shift? Just sayin')
It seems to me that Dan J. is supposed to start Prime on the 21st as well . . . hope the class ain't so big that we don't ever run into each other (sorry about that crack about your clothes, Exquizit1)
So, onward & upwards, forever forward (and all that stuff . . . )
Jopa
I'm going to Prime also, maybe I will meet some of you :-) I start orientation on this Monday, April 21st. I'm a little nervous, but this website and forum is helping tremendously. I'm also praying for a "good" trainer, preferably a non-smoking female. So if there are any drivers/trainers that can help connect me, that would be awesome!
Best of luck,
Exquizit1
Hello Exquizit1....Now there are 3 of Us starting at Prime Inc on the 21st from Trucking Truth
John, I'm a current driver for Prime. If you have any questions feel free to ask and ill answer them as quickly as possible.
Oh good lord. Yes ask Daniel about Prime. He has alot of info to share. Besides we need another 300 to 400 post novel about Prime again . It's been what? A few hours since the last one?
After talking with several different companies I'm strongly leaning toward starting my new career with Prime. I have a tentative date to start training on May 5.
I'm 49 years old and find myself needing to start a new career. It's scary at this age to start something new, especially something like a career in truck driving.
I'd appreciate advise from anyone, especially those who have worked for Prime, been to Prime's CDL training or those who have entered this profession a little later in life.
Hey Johnathan T, I know I'm responding to a post that's close to 2 years old but I wanted to see if you went through with the training at prime? If you did, how did it go? Are you still working? I'm 49 and looking into this trucking career, very hesitant but it's pretty much looking like the best option. If you went through this could you give me any heads up on what to expect? Thanks Paul
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.New Reply:
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Prime Inc Advice For New Truck Drivers Becoming A Truck Driver Changing Careers Choosing A Truck Driving School Choosing A Trucking Company Older truck drivers
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After talking with several different companies I'm strongly leaning toward starting my new career with Prime. I have a tentative date to start training on May 5.
I'm 49 years old and find myself needing to start a new career. It's scary at this age to start something new, especially something like a career in truck driving.
I'd appreciate advise from anyone, especially those who have worked for Prime, been to Prime's CDL training or those who have entered this profession a little later in life.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.