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Topic 4047 | Page 1
Hey there Irene.
Because of the amount of time since you had last driven, almost any company is going to require you to go through some level of retraining or refresher course. Probably the quickest, easiest way to get back to driving is to get on with one of the Company-Sponsored Training Programs. Those are companies with their own schools. They'll give you whatever refresher they feel you need, you'll get your license back using their trucks, and they'll get you on the road making money as quickly as possible.
I think that's your best option.
Another option would be to contact an Independent Truck Driving School about taking a refresher course and using their trucks for the exams. Now before you do that, I would first apply to a bunch of companies and get some pre-hire letters. Any companies that pre-hire you will let you know what they'll require you to do for a refresher course. So you don't want to sign up for a course until you know what will be required by the company you're interested in going to work for.
You can Apply For Truck Driving Jobs right here on TruckingTruth if you like, and you even have the option of Applying For Truck Driving Jobs With One Application which saves a ton of time.
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.
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.
Company-sponsored Training:
A Company-Sponsored Training Program is a school that is owned and operated by a trucking company.
The schooling often requires little or no money up front. Instead of paying up-front tuition you will sign an agreement to work for the company for a specified amount of time after graduation, usually around a year, at a slightly lower rate of pay in order to pay for the training.
If you choose to quit working for the company before your year is up, they will normally require you to pay back a prorated amount of money for the schooling. The amount you pay back will be comparable to what you would have paid if you went to an independently owned school.
Company-sponsored training can be an excellent way to get your career underway if you can't afford the tuition up front for private schooling.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.New Reply:
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I drove for 9 yrs. last year turned in Cdls like a dummy. I missed the deadline for getting them back by a few weeks. I was taking care of sick family member well they passed away and now I need a job ASAP and I have my permit and my physical but I have no truck to use for road test. I live in Wise VA. If anyone can help me I would be so thankful
Irene
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
SAP:
Substance Abuse Professional
The Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) is a person who evaluates employees who have violated a DOT drug and alcohol program regulation and makes recommendations concerning education, treatment, follow-up testing, and aftercare.