Packing List for Students

The list I was given included the basics for training/orientation, but did include the following:

Pen/paper for notes
Pillow/sleeping bag or blanket
6 days' clothing (I am thinking also some laundry supplies?)
weather appropriate gear
Work Gloves
Sun Glasses
Flashlight
Shower Shoes
Towel
Toiletries


It also explained proper dress.

I am also thinking a study guide for the CDL test to read during down time. Can someone recommend a good one? I found this looking at my local Barnes and Noble: http://www.driver-training.com/cdl-driver-training/cdl-driver-barrons-cdl-truck-drivers-test

 

I think a sleeping bag would be a better way to go, Trainer may not like others under their sheets so a sleeping bag and pillow takes care of that . Try reading the little 395 regs book. boreing but educational and it will help to keep you safe and ticket free a lot of times.

 

Got a link?

Since I know I will have time to read on the way TO training (I will be greyhounding it from Sacramento to Fontana and not driving), I am looking for some reading material, that road trip is BORING unless you are on 2 wheels!

 

Very good point, there. We hear horror stories of new drivers not getting along with their trainer and ending up sitting at a truck stop with their stuff (not very often, but it does happen. Whether by their choice or the trainers- a lot depends on why they're left behind.). You really do want to keep things to a bare minimum. You can buy a flashlight at a truck stop out drop by a Wal-Mart once you're on your own, our wait til you get home. Most of the time, they're pretty good about trying to get you home soon after training to set up your truck. Your trainer should have flashlight, cb, maps, gps, and whatever you should really need on the truck. Basically, clothes, bedding (sleeping bag is best-and your own pillow) and your own cell phone with charger. Once you get in the truck with your trainer, look at how they have it set up to get ideas on what you do and don't like or need. Expensive "necessities" (s)he should already have for you to use. If you have special needs (cpap machine, nebulizer, etc), they won't supply, so bring those. Basically, keep it minimal and multi purpose where possible.

 

In regards to laundry supplies, most truck stops have a laundry room, and you can buy soap and stuff there. IF you must bring laundry soap and stuff, get the pods. They take up less room, and last likely to leak and make a mess...

 

I love the pods and have a large supply of them (Sam's club is my friend ); just thinking of taking a small handful in a Ziploc with a few dryer sheets, and a small bottle of bleach out of my existing supply.

 

Commuter, you could do that. I would suggest if you take bleach, put saran wrap on the bottle top, then screw the cap on. Double security that way.

 

A couple of suggestions:

1. It's summer. A lightweight fleece sleeping bag would be appropriate. The winter one rated for 30 below would be a mite warm. Personally, I used just a cheap queen size quilt from Walmart. Laid it on the bed, and pulled half of it over me.

2. Travel is rough. Use something a bit stiffer than a plastic bag for the detergent pods, like a small plastic jar, or even a margarine tub. I use one of the plastic mac & cheese tubs from WM; fits the entire contents of a small bag of All Free & Clear.

3. In the same vein, I'd avoid liquid bleach. I don't care what you put it in, it's going to leak. If you need to take bleach, I recommend using dry powder bleach.

 

About 90 % of what you need for personal items and laundry is available in TS. dont load your self down thinking there is no place to buy stuff. Some bigger box stores , like Wal Mart and grocery are near a TS in many areas .
Not all truck stops are too far from shopping areas to walk. I always furnished the laundry stuff, and many times I paid for it. $6 or $8 bucks and I did mine too. Same washer same dryer. I tried to work it like a team. And I knew then my co driver was clean and I did not wish to have them spend what little money they had on laundry and non essentials. I bought many meals for them . I did it as a courtesy and to help them relax and not worry about can they afford stuff. That's Just me. Still is. Just don't over burden your self with the what if's and just in case visions.It is a learning experience and that class has already begun.

 

Within the first five minutes of meeting my mentor, she had asked me if I needed to go to Walmart.

You only need your personal items during your mentorship; your mentor will have all the truck related stuff. Yes, you'll need it when you get your own truck, but during your training, you'll learn what equipment you need, and what you need your equipment to do.