Old Driver, New Job

Topic 8930 | Page 1

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Jim F.'s Comment
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I have been out of the industry for 18 or so years and am thinking of getting back in. Probably not as owner-operator. There's probably lots to catch up on but don't know where to go t or look. Can you help out here? Thanks.

Old School's Comment
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Jim, one of the main changes is that almost everyone is using electronic logs now, and the rules have changed. You should try working your way through our High Road Training Program, that should get you off to a good start, especially that section on the logs.

You'll need to go through a refresher course to be able to get hired on anywhere after all the time you have been out. Many of the Company-Sponsored Training programs would take you on for a refresher, and it wouldn't cost you much money to get back in by taking that route.

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.

Electronic Logs:

Electronic Onboard Recorder

Electronic Logbook

A device which records the amount of time a vehicle has been driven. If the vehicle is not being driven, the operator will manually input whether or not he/she is on duty or not.

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.

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