The Prime Adventure Begins.

Sorry, forgot to mention. Ask your recruiter what portions of the test should you take. I "didn't" take any written exam for any endorsements such as doubles or Hazmat, because she said California doesn't recognize out of state practical tests. So, I'll get Hazmat later in my own state. So, you'll want to be sure to ask your recruiter what portion of the CDL should you take for your State. You'll most likely do as I did and take (3) tests: General Class A CDL Test, Combination Vehicles and Air Brakes.

 

Iron Pony - Regarding Wi-Fi, are you referring to an "Air Card" that you stick into your laptop? Will my Ipad with my 4G from my cell carrier not do the same thing? I'm not going to be relying on a Wi-Fi hotspot. It's an air card that my ipad has built in through AT&T. Is that good enough do you think?

While on the subject of laptops. Is it really necessary I bring my laptop to Prime with me for the first portion of the training? I was hoping to get away with just my Ipad. Don't really feel like lugging my big laptop around! I ask, because I'm not sure if there is something "work related" I'll need the laptop for, like CBT's at the school, or other training related things I'll need to do OTR with my trainer. I can open and read, write Word Docs on my ipad, watch movies in rest time, check email, do most things. I just can't necessarily open all kinds of files such as live training CBT files possibly.

 

A smartphone would be fine, however, you need a real nation-wide network connection. Hotspots 'n Cricket don't cut it, especially when, you must have service to do your job even in BFE.

 

He said he's got AT&T and a cellular IPad. Other than no voice it's 10 times better than any smartphone for Internet.

yes, leave your laptop at home. In the future, just enable your iPad as a hot spot and you can use that with your laptop when you eventually bring it on the road. No need for a "card" or crappy truckstop wifi.

i have an AT&T iPad, 4g. Coverage is pretty good. I've already have a 4g Verizon jet pack for my other wifi devices. So if one is lacking in coverage, I've got the other.

BTW when I say lack of coverage I mean one might be 4g and the other might be on a "extended" partner network.

 

GR your instructor is gonna "love" you.

once you get your CDL from MO thru Prime, your trainer gets to take you back to CA where you get to take the test all over again.

Illinois, California, and Massachusetts make drivers retake the exam to transfer the CDL as a resident.

 

I know...hehehehe. What can I do? Welcome to "The Republic Of California" as us California natives say! It's messed up!

 

Im confused... so you're saying because you're in CA- if you would have taken all your endorsements here (in CA) then go to MO to get your CDL...(when you're done with training,im assuming you have all your endorsements right?)..... when you get back to CA, in order to transfer your MO CDL (with all endorsements) back to CA: you would have to take EVERYTHING OVER AGAIN? (including the drive test?) Or just the written exams again for the endorsements?

Wow thats messed up if thats the case!

Good luck to you guys btw, and stay safe!

 

The hazmat endorsement will not transfer from any state to another. Other endorsements depend on the state.

 

That's correct.I am going through this now.I have to retake the Haz Mat and redo the whole #### HOMELAND SECURITY FINGERPRINTING....All the rest of my endorsements were transfered..I feel it is a money maker brought to you from George Bush and Mr Chaney..

 

In VA, the background check will transfer, but you have to take the test over again.