Truckers Report Jobs

Find Trucking Jobs

Company Driver Company Driver Dry Van Dry Van Flatbed Flatbed Refrigerated Refrigerated Specialized Specialized Owner Operator Owner Operator
More Trucking Job Searches ⌄ Fewer Trucking Job Searches
⌃

CDL Early???/

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Smokeycv, Sep 3, 2013.

Page 1 of 2
  1. Sep 3, 2013 #1
    Smokeycv

    Smokeycv Light Load Member

    52
    25
    Jul 27, 2012
    0
    So here is my question. I retire from the Air Force on April 2015. My plan is to do OTR. Should I get my CDL now or wait until right before I retire?? The reason why I ask is I have a fealing trucking companies will be like why have you had your CDL for over a year and not driven?

    So that is the question for the veteran truckers out there.

    P.S. Thanks for your time in answering my question
     
    Smokeycv, Sep 3, 2013
    Smokeycv, Sep 3, 2013
    #1
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Sep 3, 2013 #2
    Casual Trucker

    Casual Trucker Medium Load Member

    495
    326
    Sep 7, 2012
    0
    They Don't Ask That as you are a service member.The Military Has Trucks too---------> Get it now if it is all possible..CDL's are like wine they are better Aged with out contaminants.
     
    Casual Trucker, Sep 3, 2013
    Casual Trucker, Sep 3, 2013
    #2
  4. Sep 3, 2013 #3
    KW Cajun

    KW Cajun Road Train Member

    2,383
    3,652
    Apr 12, 2013
    Copperhead Road
    0
    It's good you ask these questions before making any move. I'm no veteran trucker, but not a fresh newbie either.
    I'm presuming, and it sounds like, that in your past, or present military position/function, you don't have any truck driving experience? Correct?
    If so, I'd try to get your CDL now via the A/F, using their trucks, assistance, or program.

    Trucking companies are mainly concerned with your total Class A experience, durations of driving jobs, and how long it has been since you last drove.
    That, as well as your driving record, criminal record, and prior "employment" history.
    What really matters to them is how recent is your CDL training date/duration, your Class A driving experience (at that future time), and the "regularity" (if it applies then) of your driving experience.

    In your case it doesn't matter "how early" you received your CDL, as much as the other qualifications that I stated above. After that, THEN be sure to keep your CDL experience active, and not go stagnant.
     
    KW Cajun, Sep 3, 2013
    KW Cajun, Sep 3, 2013
    #3
    Smokeycv Thanks this.
  5. Sep 3, 2013 #4
    Smokeycv

    Smokeycv Light Load Member

    52
    25
    Jul 27, 2012
    0
    I'll be a little more specific. I am in a job where I do not drive while in the military. However I can get the CDL now or right before I retire either way the AF will still pay for it. I was just thinking besides having the CDL for a year before I retire I might forget some of the things I learned in school.

    That is why I asked the question. I just figured the companies would look at when I got the CDL and be like so why didn't you drive for a year.
     
    Smokeycv, Sep 3, 2013
    Smokeycv, Sep 3, 2013
    #4
  7. Sep 3, 2013 #5
    KW Cajun

    KW Cajun Road Train Member

    2,383
    3,652
    Apr 12, 2013
    Copperhead Road
    0
    That paints a more complete picture, Smokeycv. I see what you mean.

    In that case, yes, your CDL training from 1 year prior (looking into the future, here) will be too stagnant to count for anything.
    It won't hurt you to get the CDL now, but any training or driving time from 1 year prior, will be useless and you'd have to take a refresher course just prior to searching trucking companies.
    Typically, anything over 3 months (max) "stagnaticity" (is that a word?) trucking companies require a refresher certification.
     
    KW Cajun, Sep 3, 2013
    KW Cajun, Sep 3, 2013
    #5
    Smokeycv Thanks this.
  8. Sep 3, 2013 #6
    Smokeycv

    Smokeycv Light Load Member

    52
    25
    Jul 27, 2012
    0
    Thanks KW Cajun,

    Basically that is what a few recruiters told me. But like it has been said they stretch the truth. I just wanted to hear it from the hourses mouth. And yes I am already calling recruiters because a few of the companies I want to go with only take from certain schools for new drivers and I wanted to see if they would look at the school I'm going to go to. Hell 320 hours they #### well might want to look at it. (Yes I know not all of that will be on the truck)
     
    Smokeycv, Sep 3, 2013
    Smokeycv, Sep 3, 2013
    #6
  9. Sep 3, 2013 #7
    KW Cajun

    KW Cajun Road Train Member

    2,383
    3,652
    Apr 12, 2013
    Copperhead Road
    0
    If you always challenge the "truth" of a recruiter.... you will always be waaay ahead of the game!

    BTW, 320 hrs is about 30% more than even what the most stringent states require. (Even IL is 240hrs)
     
    KW Cajun, Sep 3, 2013
    KW Cajun, Sep 3, 2013
    #7
    Smokeycv Thanks this.
  10. Sep 3, 2013 #8
    Skunk_Truck_2590

    Skunk_Truck_2590 Road Train Member

    2,094
    684
    Feb 16, 2007
    Stonewall, LA.
    0
    I racked 120 hours for mine. IMHO, I would wait. It'll save you from having to shell out time and/or money for a refresher course.
     
    Skunk_Truck_2590, Sep 3, 2013
    Skunk_Truck_2590, Sep 3, 2013
    #8
    Smokeycv Thanks this.
  11. Sep 4, 2013 #9
    white wolf

    white wolf Light Load Member

    287
    131
    Jul 1, 2013
    minneeessoooota
    0
    I think the only thing that would happen they may take you out with a trainer for a few days to access your abilitys thats usually what we do with someone in this situation.. I wonder what possesses you to want to be a otr driver, Maybe its a need to see the country or the love of driving but with a military pension it must be more of a personal fullfillment thing than monitary thing
     
    white wolf, Sep 4, 2013
    white wolf, Sep 4, 2013
    #9
  12. Sep 4, 2013 #10
    Smokeycv

    Smokeycv Light Load Member

    52
    25
    Jul 27, 2012
    0
    White Wolf,

    You asked why I want to be an OTR Driver! Yes you are correct I will receive a military pension. Now mind you it isn't that great :) Plus my ex-wife get's half of it. So I would be briniging in around $612 a month (before taxes) However I will get disability from the VA at around 1200 or so tax free that she can't touch. (Note: That will go towards child support)

    While in the military I saw alot of the country already and the world. I was a defense couriour (moving stuff around the country) mind you it was in a van. However I have always loved being on the open road. I enjoy driving and yes I know after awhile I will hate it as OTR. But my plan is a 10 year plan.

    My Fiance and I are going to live out of the truck for awhile (she won't drive cause of medical reasons) however she is an author that does romance novels so you makes decent money. So while I drive she will write. Our plan is to live in the truck for a year or so (with once a week hotel visit). If everything goes according to plan and I sign on with a decent company after two years pay for a house and land with cash and then she will stay at the house. It is all part of a 10 year plan. But like always once a good plan is started it can go to heck really fast :)
     
    Smokeycv, Sep 4, 2013
    Smokeycv, Sep 4, 2013
    #10
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

    • Page 1 of 2