Searching For Schools
Topic 806 | Page 1
Welcome Debbie !!!! we are glad that you found us....cuz we are here to help you all we can. If you scroll down to the bottom of this page, you will find a link for choosing a CDL school...I hope that will help some. Some of the things that we encourage people to do before they drop their old job and head off to CDL school, is to save up some money for food and such during school, and while you are out on the road with your trainer (this will be after you choose which company to go with). Its important, so that you don't start out in the hole. I'm sure theres some here who can shed some light on the cdl schools in FL, as we've had a few new folks from down that way. But be sure and work your way thru the High Road CDL Course that is offered on this site. As always, everything pertaining to driving is free...and theres lots of seasoned drivers on here who are ready to answer any question you have, and explain things until you understand them....kinda like goin' back to mom and dad to learn those things that your THOUGHT you knew, when you moved out on your own....lol. So step on in, and pull up a chair...you are about to be indoctrinated into the best truck driver training you will find anywhere. AND be sure and go check out the Ladies of Trucking Forum....we talk about everything under the sun,and anything that crawls our from under a rock in the dark....Glad to have you here !!!
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.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.
Welcome aboard!
We have an excellent series of articles about How To Choose A Truck Driving School. They will help you understand what to look for in a school and where to find the information you'll need.
It will be covered in those articles, but the main things you're looking for are:
1) Do major trucking companies hire from the school? 2) Do the current students recommend the school?
If major companies will hire their students and the current students would recommend the school then you know you at least have a legitimate school to consider.
There are also two types of CDL training you'll read about - company-sponsored CDL training programs and private truck driving schools. Now I'm not sure which company-sponsored programs hire out of Florida - that will be one challenge you'll face. Florida is about the toughest place in the country to find work in trucking simply because not many companies run down that way. So to make sure you can find work after graduation if you choose private CDL training is to apply for pre-hire letters. We have an excellent article about Understanding Pre-Hire Process so you can have a look there to better understand it.
We definitely have a ton of resources for ya so look around. Our Trucker's Career Guide is gold. It will walk you through a ton of considerations and options for getting your trucking career underway and will lead you to all different areas of our site.
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.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.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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Hello! This is my first post and I will start out with a little background on me. I am currently working in an insurance office and have been there for 8 years. I have always wanted to learn to drive trucks but life got in the way, kids to raise, homes to take care of etc. My children are now all grown and out on their own so now I am free to pursue my dream. The scary part is I will have to give up my income, health benefits, and security and take a leap of faith at 56 years old! I am trying to find the best fit for me as far as trucking schools go. I am looking at Sage in Ft. Pierce Fl. I just got a lead on another school called Great Southern in Ga. Anyone ever attend either of these schools or know someone who did? Thanks for any input!