Training for TX Oil Fields as Water Hauler

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by peterrumbler, Dec 5, 2011.

  1. peterrumbler

    peterrumbler Light Load Member

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    I want to get my first job working on the oil fields in Texas as a water hauler. I've found a job tht will hire trucking school graduates but I don't quite have my cdl a yet. I came across a offer for cdl a training in 3-5 days and would like to take the class and hop on the field. Do you all think this class can get me ready for the field? (experienced opinions only)

    http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/trp/2732568765.html
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 6, 2011
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  3. Luzon

    Luzon Medium Load Member

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    I briefly read through all that mumbo jumbo. If you read it carefully, they don't promise to provide all the training that the federal government requires to get a CDL. There are minimum requirements as far as hours, pass rates, subjects covered, etc. Call your state DMV to get the full details for YOUR state.

    You're going to need somewhere around 120 hours of instruction to get a Class A CDL, including classroom instruction and behind-the-wheel driving.

    I'd pass on that add.
     
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  4. Pound Puppy

    Pound Puppy Heavy Load Member

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    Another thing too consider is that oil field driving does require experience. It is a lot of off highway driving, at night, in adverse conditions. You may want to try driving a dump truck first to get the off road experience.
     
  5. RickG

    RickG Road Train Member

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    What CDL mill recruiter told you that BS ? There are NO federal training requirements to get a CDL and there won't be for at least another 3 years after the final rule which hasn't been announced yet .
    http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/rulemakings/rule-programs/rule_making_details.aspx?ruleid=217
     
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  6. Luzon

    Luzon Medium Load Member

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    Oh, I don't know. Maybe that "BS" comes directly from the FMCSA proposed rule document itself. What I originally wrote is based on the current standards, not the proposal, which is the part that you're referring to. You are correct by saying that one will have 3 years after the final rule goes into effect before the final rule set is required. But to say there are "NO federal training requirements to get a CDL" is not accurate.

    Here's a little excerpt:

    "
    CMVSA: Minimum Uniform Standards
    for CDLs
    The Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety
    Act of 1986 (CMVSA) (49 U.S.C. 31301


    et seq.
    ) established a CDL program that

    includes national minimum testing and

    licensing standards for operators of
    CMVs. The CMVSA directed the Agency
    to establish minimum Federal standards
    that States must meet when testing and
    licensing CMV drivers. The CMVSA
    applies to anyone who operates a CMV
    in interstate or intrastate commerce,
    including employees of Federal, State,
    and local governments. The goal was to
    ensure that drivers of large trucks and
    buses possess the knowledge and skills
    necessary to operate safely on public
    highways.
    In accordance with the CMVSA, all
    drivers of CMVs (as defined in





    § 383.5)

    must possess a valid CDL. In addition to

    passing the CDL knowledge and skill
    tests required for the basic vehicle
    group, all persons who operate or
    anticipate operating the following
    vehicles, which have special handling
    or operational characteristics, must
    obtain endorsements under





    § 383.93 for:

    •


    Double or triple trailers;

    •


    Passenger vehicles;

    •


    Tank vehicles;

    •


    Vehicles required to be placarded

    for hazardous materials; or



    •


    School buses.

    The driver is required to pass a

    knowledge test for each endorsement,
    plus a skills test to obtain a passenger
    vehicle endorsement or school bus
    endorsement.
    ISTEA: Entry-Level Driver Training
    The CDL standards require tests for
    knowledge and skills, but neither the
    CMVSA nor the FMCSRs requires driver
    training. The private sector, with
    guidance from FMCSA, has attempted to
    promote effective training. Formal,
    supervised training is available from
    private truck driver training schools,
    public institutions, and in-house motor
    carrier programs. Many drivers take
    some sort of private-sector training at
    their own expense. These courses vary
    in quality. Some provide only enough
    training to pass the skills test. Generally,
    however, with or without formal
    training, drivers individually prepare
    for the CDL test by studying such areas
    as vehicle inspection procedures, offroad
    vehicle maneuvers, and operating




    a CMV in traffic."




    I had completed this post and then got to thinking about it after and wanted to add this.

    It's true that the federal government doesn't tell individual drivers to get a certain driver's license or even a CDL. There are NO federal driver's licenses after all. But, the individual states must follow a set of federal guidelines if they want to offer state CDL licenses. If they didn't meet the minimum federal requirements then they couldn't offer CDLs. Some states actually have additional requirements over the federal guidelines. That's why I suggested that people check with their own individual states to see what's required.

    Hope that all helps.
     
    Last edited: Dec 6, 2011
  7. 7122894003481

    7122894003481 Bobtail Member

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    3-5 days? Sure, you will be the king of the road there Hoss.
     
  8. Okieron

    Okieron Crusty Okie

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    Oil fields are tough ! you drive in all weather and conditions. I have been pulled several miles by dozers and graders because the road was so muddy you could not pull yourself. snow rain hail it does not matter. and a large part is offroad and I mean OFFROAD! so in one word NO they wont get you set up to do this.
     
  9. 7122894003481

    7122894003481 Bobtail Member

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    But......But the recruiter said.......
     
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  10. okiedokie

    okiedokie Road Train Member

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    I can understand a guy needs a job and the pay is attractive. BUT this is not some Interstate bump the dock show. Your stress level will go off the chart! IF the terrain is forgiving(flat)then the worst is you will get stuck up to your ### in alligators. IF it is in the mountains you will be taking yourself into some life threating situations with no skill or experience to base your decisions on. Make a bad call you can die.
     
  11. RickG

    RickG Road Train Member

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    Owensboro , KY
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    I made your little excerpt a little smaller . I don't see where my statement was inaccurate .
     
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