Another Driver On The Road!
Topic 3861 | Page 1
Hey everybody, I have been a lurker here for awhile and I figured now is as good a time as any to make my first post. I finished my cdl school and passed my test yesterday! I was so pumped and ready for it, the adrenaline was flowing, but at the same time I wasn't sure how it would go. I missed a few on the pre-trip, which I was surprised about because I felt most ready for that, but I aced the backing and I only made two minor mistakes on my drive. The examiner said it was one of the top drives of the day. I was so relieved when it was completed though!
If their are any Oregon drivers, I would totally recommend my school, IITR truck driving school. I was at the Medford campus and the instruction was top notch. Plus they require you to have your Doubles/Triples, Tanker, and Hazmat in order to graduate, which really helps your job prospects right out of the gate.
Now I am going to enjoy a few days off while I narrow down the company I want to start with. I have 4 pre-hire letters right now so I plan to continue researching the companies as well as going to a couple different truck stops to hear what the current drivers have to say.
I will update again when I have narrowed down on a company and am beginning to get ready for the team training. Stay safe out there!
Try Knight Transportation. When I first started Trucking I trained with them. They won't run you as a team as long as you don't want to. My trainer stayed up watching me drive for the first week till I told him I was comfortable driving while he was sleeping but even then he just sat their in the Passenger side and trained me. They've also got a Terminal in Portland. I would seriously consider them if I was you, I know longer work for them but they are great for starting out.
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
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.
Doubles:
Refers to pulling two trailers at the same time, otherwise known as "pups" or "pup trailers" because they're only about 28 feet long. However there are some states that allow doubles that are each 48 feet in length.
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.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
Congrats on getting your CDL !!!! I'd heard great things about the IIRT school...you live right on the I5 corridor...so you should have lots of options. Or you can choose a company, and run OTR to see the US.....Now is when your adventure begins !!! Keep us updated....and we will help all we can.
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.
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.
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Hey everybody, I have been a lurker here for awhile and I figured now is as good a time as any to make my first post. I finished my cdl school and passed my test yesterday! I was so pumped and ready for it, the adrenaline was flowing, but at the same time I wasn't sure how it would go. I missed a few on the pre-trip, which I was surprised about because I felt most ready for that, but I aced the backing and I only made two minor mistakes on my drive. The examiner said it was one of the top drives of the day. I was so relieved when it was completed though!
If their are any Oregon drivers, I would totally recommend my school, IITR truck driving school. I was at the Medford campus and the instruction was top notch. Plus they require you to have your Doubles/Triples, Tanker, and Hazmat in order to graduate, which really helps your job prospects right out of the gate.
Now I am going to enjoy a few days off while I narrow down the company I want to start with. I have 4 pre-hire letters right now so I plan to continue researching the companies as well as going to a couple different truck stops to hear what the current drivers have to say.
I will update again when I have narrowed down on a company and am beginning to get ready for the team training. Stay safe out there!
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
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
Doubles:
Refers to pulling two trailers at the same time, otherwise known as "pups" or "pup trailers" because they're only about 28 feet long. However there are some states that allow doubles that are each 48 feet in length.
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.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated