riding with my dad? Does that count as experience?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Fullforce, Mar 5, 2012.

  1. Fullforce

    Fullforce Light Load Member

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    Every job I can seem to find requires around 4 to 6 month of OTR experience...
    So, does driving/riding with my dad for say 4-6months count as "verifyable experience"?

    thanks
     
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  3. Wulfwynn

    Wulfwynn <b>Brand New CDL Holder</b>

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    Did you actually drive the truck? Couple and uncouple trailers? Strap & Tarp (if applicable)? Did you have your CDL at the time?
     
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  4. Wiggle Wagon

    Wiggle Wagon Light Load Member

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    You have given no details.

    How much of the time did you drive? Did you have your CDL, or did your dad just let you drive in a Wal Mart parking lot or what?
     
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  5. rookietrucker

    rookietrucker Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Do you have logbooks to prove it ?

    Do you have any paystubs ?
     
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  6. Fullforce

    Fullforce Light Load Member

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    Have not started yet. So I got to thinking, I can't renewing without a log book. And I won't be getting a paycheck. I do have my cdl and I would be driving if I can just drive and have a logbook, but not sure if I can do that without actually being employed by the company?
     
  7. CondoCruiser

    CondoCruiser The Legend

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    OTR experience accumilates by being employed in interstate commerce, driving in five states or more, in a class A vehicle, with in the past three years. Some companies might even have mileage restrictions. So it's pretty much working a fulltime job.

    There are plenty of starter companies that take new drivers. They will send you out with a trainer for 6-8 weeks, then you get your own truck. That is how most drivers do it.

    The starter companies feed off new drivers and are less than desireable. You'll go through a year of lower pay before you reach the green pastures. So don't expect first class treatment your first year. You have to earn your stripes.

    There are a few companies like Watkins Shepherd that require zero experience and no trainer. If you have a good idea what is going on and know the regulations and how to keep up a logbook, then you might fit in there.

    You have to be 21 years old. Some companies want you to be 23. You just have to check each companies hiring requirements. There's about three million drivers, 500,000 companies from one driver up and at least 2500 companies of size. There's someone out there that will hire you. You have to find them.

    Read the top six forums and you'll get alot of ideas and find alot of info!
     
  8. ZippyNH

    ZippyNH Medium Load Member

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    It sounds like when you say "riding with dad" he is a company driver...
    so i bet if you so much as touch the sreering wheel when riding with him, he is fired. If he owned his own truck, and you were an insured party, it might count if you kept a log, but if he is a company driver, it is good experance, but don't think about driving a truck that a company owns that you don't work for....
     
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  9. Fullforce

    Fullforce Light Load Member

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    Sorry should have made it more clear I'm typingnon my phone so it's hard to proof read.
    My dad is a o/o and I WILL NOT be away from my family all week for .40 cents a mile. I do need a job however and will be willing to sacrifice the 4 to 6 months working as a company driver if I HAVE to. After that I will be buying my own truck and leasing on with a good company, if all that works out once I save some more money up I will get my own insurance and authority. I just have to get some time behind the wheel that will count as experience.
     
  10. Logan76

    Logan76 Crusty In Training

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    #### if riding with my dad counted as experience I guess I had 18 years of experience I had forgotten about!
     
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  11. Wiggle Wagon

    Wiggle Wagon Light Load Member

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    I was a passenger on an airplane once does this count as flying experience if I decide to become a pilot?
     
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