Question for drivers concerning "new" driver

I would say the mega carriers no they will not hire you without taint a refresher course then you may to go out with a trainer,their policy which they will not bend the rules in most cases.But smaller carriers yes where you don't have to go thru all the channels getting hired.Put a resume out on indeed.com You'll need to find a company that knows you on a personal level rather then a trk number.Start knocking on doors in your area.

 

At the very least, expect to go out with a trainer and that's if you can do OK on the driving test and backing test that most companies will use to evaluate where your skill level is at.

If you blow the driving test in a big way, they might want you do go through CDL school all over again. Swift did this to me when I applied to them nearly 4 years ago. I had the CDL for years and years, but never drove. I really messed up the shifting on the road test. The road test guy in Phoenix said I should go through their driving academy for my own good.

 

I'd put Freymiller and Jim Palmer at the top of the list followed by Magnum Ltd.

 

Bottom feeders isn't that all Megas?

 

I encourage you to be prepared where possible.

Blowing a test, Ive done that sometimes. I remember one in particular. A nice big COE huge horse and a 53. My first one. (48's up to that time) back it into the dock classic 100 foot from sight side. Failed it. Twice. The key to that one is the slope it started on, you needed to get under it early.

I also hated tested in 10 speeds, coming across the box on downshift was a weakness but mastered it. The problem is the shift is usually loose a few inches around that gear spot.

I can tell you that once you ride a bike you never really forget how. Hang in there.

Finally but not least.

If you are with a bottom feeding company, so what? Show some class and you might be trainer in 3 months with them. Who knows?

 

I know Pride Transport would take drivers with gaps. They'd make you go out on the road with someone for a week to make sure you're good to go then let you out on your own. It may have only been a 3 year gap period though, you'd have to call them up.

 

Schneider will hire with straight local work experience, so will most foodservice companies.

 

Jim Palmer uses 10 speeds; not sure about Jones Bros. Trucking.

I drove auto's running 48 states pulling tankers and that spoiled me. I'd hate to drive stick shift again.

 

Schneider experience check goes back 10years, they accepted all my experience since 2006. If you want to run tanker check out CC Cobb, they only require 2 yrs experience in the past 10.