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- Trucker's Forum
- General Category
- Refresher course?
Page 1 of 1
Mike J.'s Comment
Mike J.
reader
Posts: 4
Joined Us:
2 months ago
3 days, 10 hours ago
Hello y'all. I'm Mike.
I got my cdl-A several years ago. I drove locally for 1 1/2 yrs, then quit to fix my house and sell it and move out of state. Drove b's with booms and moffetts, a's with & w/out moffetts, automatics, manuals, oldies and nearly brand new trucks too. Fast forward 2 1/2 yrs and I'm ready to use my cdl once again. I haven't worked or drove for 2 1/2 years. I can only work locally. I've applied to around 15 different jobs so far and got 1 interview but I backed out of it because it was low paying and more lumber yard work then actually delivering. That job was through a staffing agency and through another staffing agency, I think my resume was sent out to 4 and then I applied to 10 via Indeed. No luck, save the 1 ****ty job I passed on.
Do I need a refresher course? I've read some write that very thing on other threads, but I'm pretty sure I'm special and don't need to do that kind of bull****. If I need a refresher, how long must it be? In my area (southern MO), I've got trucking schools offering 1 week for $1,750, 2 weeks for $3,000, one offers a 3 fricken week refresher for $3,200. It took me a month to get my cdl and I probably could've gotten through it in 2 weeks, so I cannot imagine 3 f'n weeks. It would be horrible and my wallet would be so ****ed.
The school offering 3 for $3,200 claims that this long period is for insurance purposes. I said, who's insurance? She said the trucking company. I said got damn it!
So, am I wasting my time trying to save some loot and sanity by choosing the 1-2 week course or am I wasting my time because either automated trucks or illegal alien invaders are going to take my job pre-2030?
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.
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.
BK's Comment
BK
Madison, WI
Experienced Driver
See AlsoPackt+ | Advance your knowledge in tech'They’re just patching it up': Tenants lack electricity, water in homes Joe Hogsett calls 'transformed'Posts: 5572
Joined Us:
7 years, 5 months ago
283 Photos
3 days, 10 hours ago
You can probably start over anew with paid training from a company that trains drivers who already have their CDL. Your experience should be an advantage. Check out the links from this site:
Paid CDL Training ProgramsApply For Paid CDL Training
- Trucker's Career Guide: Choosing Your First Truck Driving Job
- Article Category: Finding The Right Truck Driving Job
- Forum Topics Tagged "Choosing A Trucking Company"
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.
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.
RealDiehl's Comment
RealDiehl
Moderator
Woodstown, NJ
Experienced Driver
Posts: 1673
Joined Us:
6 years, 9 months ago
159 Photos
3 days, 8 hours ago
Do I need a refresher course? I've read some write that very thing on other threads, but I'm pretty sure I'm special and don't need to do that kind of bull****.Some companies, maybe most, will require X amount of experience within the past X years. They want recent experience.
Is driving over the road an option you are willing to consider? You can get paid training with an OTR company. I think Schneider has a relatively short training period. They might even have positions in your area for more local or regional drivers. You'd have to ask them about that if you speak to a recruiter.
It might be beneficial to approach any interviews as if you are a new driver looking to brush up on skills that may have diminished over time. It's good to be confident but you definitely don't want to give the impression that you are above that sort of thing. Or else you might be viewed as a driver who is unwilling to adapt to new methods or learn new skills.
Companies can afford to be more picky about who they hire bc currently there is a lower demand for drivers. Your experience might benefit you, but you still want to show that you are willing to learn.
Regional:
Regional Route
Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.
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.
Over The Road:
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.
PJ's Comment
PJ
Moderator
Elberton, GA
Experienced Driver
Posts: 3253
Joined Us:
10 years, 9 months ago
75 Photos
2 days, 13 hours ago
Check indeed or craigslist. Your local only requirement will certainly narrow your options.
Check schneider and tmc. I know in the atlanta area they both do local delivery for home depot. If they do it in your area maybe that would be an option for you. Those positions often are area specific.
Both will probably put you through a refresher so I would not waste money doing it without securing a position.
In terms of the big carriers you don’t have enough experience for the time frame you listed. Just the way they look at it right or wrong.
Small companies are solely at the discretion of their insurance carrier. Mine requires 2 years experience within the past 4 years to accept. Insurance carriers are not all equal, so another may accept your experience.
You just have to keep beating the bushes.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.Mike J.'s Comment
Mike J.
reader
Posts: 4
Joined Us:
2 months ago
2 days, 3 hours ago
Thanks for the links BK.Thanks for the advice RealDeihl.Thanks for the names and advice PJ. I was wondering why I couldn't get companies like xpo to call me back. I did get some feedback from a carrier that works for fed-ex and it's been too long since I've driven.I will call schneider and tmc. I'll call Wilson's too. I know they train otr.I'm not bummed about it. I chose the route I took and got important things done and it will cost me some time and/or money. You guys are great.
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.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.Page 1 of 1
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