Should there be a minimum experience (years) for fuel tank driver?

It should go to the person who can do the best job. If some young gun can handle it an do well, give him a job. If it is a seasoned vet that is fine too.

 

I don't see a problem with new cdl grads doing that type of work. The companies screen them pretty thoroughly before hiring them anyway.One driver landed a good job pulling doubles hauling oil and some others were hired to haul diesel and DEF for Love's Truck Stops.

 

You're right. Also, look at the drivers you see speeding through construction zones, etc. It's not always the young drivers doing that; lot's of old crusty, gray haired drivers doing it also. Age or experience isn't directly related to being safety concious.

 

Company I work for now requires 2 years for dry bulk. They hired me with 11 months experience based on miles driven and attitude, even with a lane change across a solid white construction zone preventable and a couple tickets

 

Nah, it's always younger women with a cigarette hanging out of their mouth.
Now, tanker experience is something you learn real quick. Usually on the 1st load. It's hard to duplicate that in a school. ( Do they even have a loaded tanker training?) It's the call of the company, and generally, in schools, you are taught to be careful, no matter what's behind you. I hauled ONE load of gasoline in my life, and I knew right away, it wasn't for me. Gas haulers, used to always be old men, with umpty- nine years driving, but they're gone now, and I guess, if I was a tanker owner, I'd hire a graduate before some schmoe off the street.

 

As a newbie, I say no, unless the company provides more training via 3rd parties or some other program. Most schools are just not thorough enough. Parking with some cones and driving around the block a few times is hardly "training." Everyone likes to poke fun and complain about the mega carriers, but in reality, they do a great service for everyone by providing more intensive training. Sure, not all are equal, but neither are the drivers or the situations. I can say from experience that any little additional training after school is incredibly rewarding and is a necessity.

 

I’d say go for it. No reason you can’t haul it.

 

The very first lie that the government told us was, ‘all are created equal.’ Not true by a long shot. The vast majority of people who finish school got a sunshine injection in the arse from some recruiter, got a ‘prehire’ from Moron Trucking, and off to the slaughterhouse like cattle. They take the path of least resistance from start to finish.

Your guy did not. Automatically, I would have to consider him a cut above the grade. So, by all means, he should be given the opportunity to do the job. And I wish him success.

 

I can pass on the best advise I have gotten on fuel tanker.
I've got an old high school buddy who lives in another state. We've kept touch for 40 years. He drove gasoline for many years. He doesn't want me to do gasoline. He said it's getting too bad out there. The things people are pulling on the roads. It's just getting worse and worse. Even someone with tons of experience like him. They have a tough job on their hands avoiding wrecks with those people. Those people have no comprehension to the limits someone can do with a tanker truck. He doesn't think anyone straight out of CDL school has any business trying to drive a gasoline truck.
EDIT: Even someone with (lets say) 20 years experience. That person, if my buddy cares about him. Would wish him to get out of gasoline tanker.
Yes, that buddy of mine did have a wreck a couple years ago. Car pulled out right in front of him. He managed to save both their lives. They were sitting in the front seat. He cut the car in half. Just behind the drivers seat. They didn't get hurt. The situation was a total disaster.