am i experienced enouth for the US trucking industry

No.

Based on this, it seems u will need to first get an AZ Drivers License, and then a Commercial Drivers License Class A (CDL A). Your experience in Europe may make the process of getting the CDL A shorter and easier, though I'm not sure if you would be able to get the CDL A through company training with any of the large training companies right away. you may be able to get into an short program at a private trucking school, but usually that costs $ upfront. Even once you have the CDL A a lot of the larger companies may not take you until you have a valid license in the USA for at least a year or two. You might be limited to small companies and owner/operators at first.

 

That's a good question that few here will have an answer to but surely someone may be able to provide some information. Keep us posted for future reference on what procedures you have to go through to get a US CDL license (already having a european heavy truck license ... whatever they call it there), and if US employers honor foreign employment references.

If I had to guess, I'd say that you can simply test (road/written) for the CDL, but I have a feeling most US carriers will at least require you to drive with a trainer to validate your skills and knowledge of US rules and regulations and procedures.

 

I moved here to Louisiana from Canada about 9 years ago with 30+ years experience. As soon as I got my immigration paperwork straight and my Green Card (it's actuaLLY WHITE) I had to go do the tests for a La drivr's licence and then write the tests for CDL and endorsements. Then did driving tests at a local driving school ($250). Got my licence the next day and was working a week later. Still at it.

 

It should be. If those you are asking have been over there then they would know. I drove a bus in Spain while in the Navy for 8 months and I'll bet it aged me 5 years. People here do not know how good it is on the highways.

 

Depends on who you work for. If you go to work for any of the major carriers, they're going to treat you like a brand new driver. It's a much different industry here.. the regs are different, the hours are different, even shifting a truck is different here... they don't run synchronized boxes here. Even with CDL experience in the US prior to going, my time I spent in South Africa actually worked against me when I had to bite the bullet and try for an OTR job (I'm a sitework driver, not an OTR driver).

 

Hallo Typhoon,
Your German license will not be accepted here. You will have to start over with a brand new license. Obviously after studying the book here it should not be to hard to get it. Did you drive any Eaton transmissions over there? I know a few MAN's would have them if not that might be something it will take some practice to come from the fully syncronized transmission to a direct shift transmission. It was for me, coming from a 16 speed EPS (electronic power shift means electric over air) to the straight cut gears over here. Trucking companies might accept some of the experience if you bring documented proof from employers in English. Most companies will look at you at somebody with no recent driving history.
I went through the same thing twice once in Canada and than in the US. It really sucks to go through all the licensing in Germany to start over in Canada and than for the third time in the US, but I guess I could have just stayed home. Also bring some records from your insurance for rebattes and driving history and have them in english or have them translated. It helped me when I first came to Canada to not be looked at as a brand new driver and got some discounts.
I am looking at going back to driving right now myself and I will have to start at the bottom of the barrel since I do not have any recent experience and all my tanker and heavy haul work does not count any more.

Good luck with the move and your future in a new country.

 

Any experience is good and it don't matter where in the world you got your experience. What matters is the wheel time you have driving and how well did you do it. Meaning no accidents or major traffic violations and stuff like that. Otherwise you should be good to go. Good luck!

 

If you can only speak russian,

they'll hire you in chicago !!!!!