Roehl Trucking For New Drivers
Topic 34237 | Page 2
Old School started 10 years younger than I did. I got my CDL at 63, 10 years ago this week, and I will be 73 on Friday. I would still be driving over the road , except my last company ended up closing their doors like 1000+ companies. The economy is horrible and many drivers with good records are having a hard time getting another job. I could, but I'm looking at doing local work in the AG field....they are begging for drivers. Part of their problem is that Idaho is an at-will state and they don't pay well, so drivers don't stay with them. Being on Social Security, if I make 2/3 of what I made over the road, I will be happy and will stay with the company for as long as my health will let me, which now is good.
Your age had nothing to do with companies not reaching out to you. Even the training companies have cut back on training drivers, because the freight has slowed way down.
Good luck thru school.
Laura
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.
Over The Road:
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.
I hired on with Roehl through their GYCDL program 26 months ago now. I'm still with them and going strong. They are a fantastic company to get started with, and they'll help you have a rock solid foundation in this industry - as long as you do your part and put in the time and effort required.
In response to PJ's question: I had never heard of Roehl either. In preparing to get my CDL I came here to truckingtruth.com, studied, took the practice tests, and eventually got my learner's permit. I then sent out a blanket application through truckingtruth.com, and Roehl was one of the first ones to reach out to me. I'd never heard of them before, but looking into them, their reputation for safety, and especially their records as seen on the fmcsa website, I liked what I saw and decided to go with them. I couldn't be happier with that choice.
That being said, there have been challenges along the road. As I'm sure there are with any company or situation in this industry. Likewise, I'm sure you'll find similar high calibre companies throughout the industry to get started with. Just take a look at the high calibre of people on this website with backgrounds with many different companies.
I'm certain most good companies who value their (future) drivers are going to invest as much as they can into the success of those they hire. If you value yourself and others you'll want to do the same and put forth your best efforts to help make it successful too.
Good luck and enjoy the ride!
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
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.EPU:
Electric Auxiliary Power Units
Electric APUs have started gaining acceptance. These electric APUs use battery packs instead of the diesel engine on traditional APUs as a source of power. The APU's battery pack is charged when the truck is in motion. When the truck is idle, the stored energy in the battery pack is then used to power an air conditioner, heater, and other devices
They have not 100% confirmed my start date for training. I got a call from Halvor Lines. I did my general knowledge test today for my CLP scored 47 out of 50 also took my air brakes test scored 22 out of 25 I will do my combination tomorrow which I know I will pass easily. I have been studying for over 3 years for the tests so it comes pretty easy for me. I think I am just going to take every test I can take so no matter what happens I will be as ready as I can for it. I am just going to take whoever gives me a set date to start school. As far as being out on the road interfering with my life that will not be a issue for me because if I had my choice I would work everyday of the week. I am staying at my nieces place so I will just hang out take the days off I legally have to take than hit the road again. I am a workaholic a energy bunny that will not be thinking about going home or how long I been out. I think I have a lot to offer to a company I won't complain they will not have to juggle things to keep me happy. I am willing to do anything whenever and wherever a company needs me. I know when I had a company of my own I would of loved to have somebody that just wants to work! I just hope somebody gives me a chance to start working. The lady at the Secretary of State office told me my scores were excellent and the time I finished my test were really good. I appreciate all the great feedback I don't mind critical feedback and or constructive criticism. I am new here and have a lot to learn and so many here with years of experience is worth your weight in gold to me and any other person new to the business!
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.
Well I have my CPL also have tanker and the double's and triple's endorsement. I guess I will start applying at every company from a to z until I am in a driving school. I wish I could at least get a answer back I thought when Roehl said they would me mark me down for a mid August start date to their school I was accepted but have not hear anything from then for a while now. I didn't want to apply for to many at a time to not waste their time but it looks like the best way to go.
Congratulations on the permit!
I'm happy to see you so eager to start that is a great sign!
One word of caution is don't just jump on the first company to call you back. Try to find one that is the correct fit.
Bobcat Bob cautions:
One word of caution is don't just jump on the first company to call you back. Try to find one that is the correct fit.
We have over 100 questions you may want answers to. Just pick some you really want to know, then write them down before you get in the phone with any recruiter.
I just hope right now somebody confirms I can start training with them. Hopefully this week will be the week I have been studying for getting a permit for years now but just recently decided to go full throttle on doing it. I killed it on the tests finishing each one in less than 10 minutes. Now that I have a permit I can ride with anybody that has a CDL and drive if they are in the truck with me is that correct?
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.
It's good that you nailed the permit tests. Yes now you can drive while a CDL licensed driver is in the passenger seat. But nowadays this won't help you get a job. You must sign in to a registered Training Provider and complete the course, usually about four weeks of training.
Roehl knows your situation and will offer you a contract to go to their training program.
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.
Stir the pot Paul. Don't just sit around waiting for a call. You should call Roehl, tell them you're ready to get started. Squeak like a wheel that needs some grease.
None of that will bother them. They'll be glad to have somebody who is actually wanting to get to work.
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I'm gonna go decidedly low tech on ya. Pick up a copy of this booklet at any Pilot for $5. This thing has no joke been worth it's weight in gold to me.