Moving to USA soon - advice wanted please...

a suggestion bigjohn?

i'm thinking that your advice is starting to get a tad how to say.... unwieldy? would you consider headlining some topics such as research, training, finances + pay, home time, etc. This would take someone who is interested chronologically through the whole process, and would make a nicer read.

now i am $.02 short of a dollar!

 

I'm gonna give you an idea, and I know I'll catch some heat from the other drivers but that's nothing new. In the bigger cities, there are schools that teach you how to pass the road test. They don't teach you anything else, not even backing up. They only teach the bare minimum to get the CDL. I suggest it to you if you are strapped for cash. I taught at one of them in NYC. they used to charge $1200 for 20 one hour lessons and 2 road tests in case you fail the first one. It was a while ago so the prices may be different but you get the idea. I wouldn't suggest it if you are a new driver, but you already have experience so it's just an option. Now if you have the money to spare, I wholeheartedly support one of the traditional schools. I got my CDL like that and it cost me less than $400 because I only took a couple of lessons on how to pass the NYC Road test. But then again, my dad was a life long trucker and a CRST instructor. He took his time teaching me.

 

Thanks Vavega! That's a great idea.

I have considered just stopping the posts because anybody who does any research would find my information. Still it doesn't seem that many newbies do much research.

 

Big John,

Maybe use the bold or highlight thing to bold some areas of your long list so make is easier to read too??

No pun intended at all here, I think it is a good list for new folks. Just trying to help fine tune it a little.

 

You WILL need some training, mostly classroom type stuff. Our laws and hours of service are different. And are you aware that American trucks do not have synchronized transmissions? When shifting, you have to match the engine RPMs with the accelerator pedal before the gears will mesh.

You will also have to get used to converting speeds & distances from kilometers to our crazy antiquated system of miles that we inherited from ... um ..... England.

 

Rubber duck, the paperwork required for trucking is basic junior high school stuff. I understand you might be the old school type that advocates safety and proper training. And you are absolutely right, except that Mr. Hatred is an experienced trucker. If you buy a package at the school I told you about, Leonard, they include unlimited access to their video library which teach you all the rules and regulations you need. You can even buy a 5 hour and 1 road test package for less than $600. I suggest you buy it first before you get the CDL permit, they will give you manuals and videos to study for the permit. Then you can show up at anytime during business hours and spend the whole day watching videos about US laws. I have some contact information for NYC schools only if you need. You can call and ask prices. However in Michigan, I'm not sure, you'll have to do your own research. But if you get your CDL in NYC, you can always transfer it to Michigan after paying a small fee.

 

Advice: READ THIS FORUM AND EVERYTHING ON IT. USE GOOGLE FOR THE TERMS YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND. FILTER OUT THE BS AND THE REST IS A GREAT SOURCE OF INFO!

 

Sir, it's not good right now and you have not seen the horrors of Bottom Feeders INC that new drivers here in America must run with for a year until they can get on with a respected company. If you want to do it on a lark to see America then by all means do so but I warned you.

Here is the MI CDL study guide
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/cdlmanul_16090_7.pdf

You will need to hold a MI regular DL for at least 30 days before you apply. I suggest you go to refresher type training because our trucks are higher and longer here than the typical European trucks, 13ft6 and 53ft. Schools will test you with a permit and you don't have to go to any training to get one. Just be able to pass the test. You can test here after you held the permit for the time limit by paying a fee and cost. Should be about $400 at the least total. Right now I recomend school because there are a surplus of drivers and your more likely to land a job.
http://www.wmcdl.com/

MI stinks for jobs to, it might be the worst state in America for finding a good job. Good luck and God bless.