Starting Out...backwards?
Topic 9213 | Page 1
I hope you do it! Sounds as if it's in your blood. It is in mine! March, 2014, I went to the local DMV and got the study guide because I wanted to haul crude oil (and I heard about a local company that wanted drivers. "Like YESTERDAY!" was what I was told). So I took all the written tests (I think there were eight) and passed. Got my permit! Then I went to the company and the boss assigned one of his guys to teach me how to drive from square one. I had one-on-one instruction for as long as I needed. Many, many days I drove to the yard and practiced backing the truck up, alley dock parking and parallel parking, until one day I could do it right every time! In October, I went to the local CDL school and did my pre-trip inspection test and road test and passed. The cool thing was I was already looking for work and I had a company just waiting for me to get that license in my hot little hand, so once I got it, I hit the ground running! Anyway, my dad had a heart attack so I had to leave the state for a couple months to take care of him, and my position had been filled when I got back home to Colorado. Needless to say, I've been moping around, wanting to drive. Ever since February. I applied to every trucking company I saw. Nobody would give me a shot because I didn't have OTR experience. Then I got a call a couple of days ago and I went in for an interview. They liked me, so they asked me to come back for a road test. I just did that today and got hired! And this company hauls gasoline and jet fuel! So keep going and don't let anybody tell you you can't! Welcome, KaTow!
Pre-trip Inspection:
A pre-trip inspection is a thorough inspection of the truck completed before driving for the first time each day.
Federal and state laws require that drivers inspect their vehicles. Federal and state inspectors also may inspect your vehicles. If they judge a vehicle to be unsafe, they will put it “out of service” until it is repaired.
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.
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.DMV:
Department of Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
The state agency that handles everything related to your driver's licences, including testing, issuance, transfers, and revocation.
Hey, thanks for checking in. I'm so glad you got another job lined up! That's great. Good luck!
New Reply:
New! Check out our help videos for a better understanding of our forum features
Preview:
Why Join Trucking Truth?
- The High Road Training Program
- The High Road Article Series
- The Friendliest Trucker's Forum Ever!
- Email Updates When New Articles Are Posted
Apply For Paid CDL Training Through TruckingTruth
Did you know you can fill out one quick form here on TruckingTruth and apply to several companies at once for paid CDL training? Seriously! The application only takes one minute. You will speak with recruiters today. There is no obligation whatsoever. Learn more and apply here:
TT On Facebook
So it's been all of a couple-3 weeks since I got the go-ahead to practice permit-driving with this local company. Today I finally talked to one of the drivers about working with me and helping me with the pre-trip.
Then another truck pulled in, and the Co. trucks were parked all helter skelter. (Disclaimer: this is a private company lot, well away from public road, and slathered in layers of mud.) The Co. driver nodded toward one truck and said Move that. So I did!
But first I asked where to, while the yard guy said I moved it once. It's a bear. I walked down, climbed in, (remembered not to press the brake pedal) and started it. I pulled forward and down the driveway, and backed up the entire far side of the lot. No problem! I was so psyched!
Okay, I had to realign at first, a couple times, but the Co. driver said You did that pretty good there. The yard guy had disappeared.
I just feel proud, and want to share it. It reinforced the urge I have to drive truck, and my motivation to get my permit soon, and start driving forwards.
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.