How To Get A Truck Driver Job In USA For A Foreigner
Topic 5435 | Page 1
That's not a far fetched idea by any means possible. You could totally do this but you won't be able to get a trucking job immediately.
You must maintain a Class C (regular car license) in the Us for a minimum of a year before you're eligible to get a CDL. So you could come here but you'll have to find something else to do for that first year.
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.
I am in a similar situation, I am a German citizen currently residing in Spain. I have recently (re)obtained the equivalent of a CDL class A (European class CE). However, I used to drive a truck in the US back in the 90s, I have 3+ years OTR experience, mostly flatbeds, even worked as driver trainer, and have proof. I wanted to apply for a new resident visa, got as far as the approved petition (as my son is US citizen) but can't find anyone to sign the affidavit of support. Does anyone know how I could get this problem resolved? Are there companies that would sign the affidavit of support? I know for some high-tech jobs they do that, but for truckers?
Greetings, Gerrit
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.
Hi Mažvydas, I'm also from the European Union (England) and I've been working over here in the US for four years now and for the last two years truck driving. Daniel is right, you have to be able to drive for one year on a normal drivers license before you can get your CDL. But before that you will need to get your Green Card. I got mine through being married to an American whom I met in the UK.....allot of years ago now.
Gerrit......I think I might be right in thinking that America and Germany have an agreement on the normal drivers license. You just trade yours for an American one. You would have to pass your CDL again if you wanted to come back and drive the rigs over here.
Wish you both luck with it all guys......it is worth it when you get here.
Mick
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.
All of you guys, I really thank you. Wish you good luck ! I still hope to see the United States land one day :)
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Hello, My name is Mažvydas and Yes, maybe I'm very naive, bet I have some questions and need your help. I would like to know how to get a truck driver job in USA if you are a foreigner. I'm 24 years old guy with an engineering bachelor degree. I have a job, maybe I even have some perspectives in my company... but I feel dead when I'm working with computer or documentation. I'm not a lazy guy, no drugs/alcohol/cigarettes, I drive a car with a clean driving history. And I want bigger challenges in my life, also I want a bigger salary than I get now or I'll ever get in my country. And truck driver job suits for me, I like technique and I love driving. Yes, I searched info in google but there are tons of it. I'd like to know is there any possibility for me to get a truck driver job in USA ? Is there any possibility to be hired by a CDL-training-sponsored company ? I don't have family members or friends in USA. Also I don't have any kind of visa and I have never been in USA. I'm from Europe Union but it's not a big relief... Are my possibilities equal to 0 ? Thanks to everyone ! Have a good day ! And I'm going to sleep :)
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles: