testing out early?

If Prime finds out you didn't do the required number of hours they might have a real issue with as would most any other trucking company.

 

Put your ego away and do the full time, as others have said get all the time you can before going to Prime. You don't know what you don't know. If a trainee came on my truck saying he tested out early because he was soooooo good, I would get another trainee.

 

I'm certainly not an authority on these issues, but I'm doubtful the "feds" will care whether he completed 160 hours of training. As long as he has successfully completed the written and driving tests and has his CDL then that should be all that matters. After a loooonnngg hiatus from trucking, and having let my CDL expire decades ago, I decided to get back into trucking. Rather than go through the school routine I took the written test on my own, took the medical exam, and practiced and took the test in my brother's truck. I asked the examiner about the requirements for school hours, etc. and he said that is a requirement from trucking companies, you don't have to go through a school to get your CDL. Many trucking companies also run their own schools, so they make money off giving the impression that school is an absolute requirement. All that being said, I think school is probably the best way to learn and class time will be of benefit (for learning log books, tandem sliding, etc. etc.)... unless you have someone to show you the ropes.

I've got 3 months OTR experience now team driving with my brother. I'm applying for a commercial driver position for several companies (yeah, I know, the bottom feeders) to continue gaining experience (and because the company my brother is leased to as O/O can't give enough miles to a team to make it worthwhile for him to have me in the truck). So far I haven't had ANYONE say my lack of school is a problem. Some will require I take their two week in house class/orientation (same as any new hire). Others say I can skip the orientation and get right into a month on the road with a trainer.

I don't see a problem with "testing out early". The goal of the school and the student is to get the CDL. However, learn as much as you can, when you can, where ever you are.

 

I can about guarantee you that if you test early and the state finds out they will fire the tester, instructor and make you start all over including repaying for all your schooling. It happened here just last year.

 

Do the Feds certify licensing or was it the states?? I thought the feds make the rules and do inpsections....

a, If you paid for the 160 hours and they want you to "test out" and leave.... That is like buying a car with only one tire!

Most trucking company's insurances will require new drivers to have the 160 hours. If prime says, "sorry, we have enough applicants right now..." What do you do then?

x2

IT has been two long years, but I seem to recall IL requiring a full course completion before taking the state exam.

Stick it out the remaining 3 or 5 weeks. It will pay off in dividends!

Mikeeee

 

something good to read. and find out for you're self. google swift transportation. and read what happened to there schools and swift in the case where the states and the usdot/fmcsa did in the lawsuit a few years ago. they are the main reason why the trucking industry got punished with the csa and strictly enforced regulations now. it wasn't always like this. for the most part as long as you didn't do anything stupid on the road and didn't pick a fight with the officer during an investigation. they left the you alone. now they don't have a choice but, to shut you down for something stupid. and this new csa program is thanks to swift and other major fleets that milled out drivers not caring about nothing other then the money they were making off the students.

 

Hopefully 160 hours isn't necessary for all companies requirements, I got less than 30 at Dootson.