License Endorsements

I am confused about actually getting the endorsements. Do you have to show training, or just take the written tests?

 

LadyTrucker sounds like she has driven some serious miles. Three years, at 100,000 miles each year? That would make her a veteran in a lot of people's minds, eh?

Maybe that many years just seems like a lot to me....

 

It varies from state to state. The cost in Pa is (I believe) 10.00 per endorsement which is payable every time you renew your license. In other words a "fullboat" will cost more to renew than a basic class A with airbrakes only.

 

Sorry No driver. There is not "drive thru" style for loading and unloading a set of pups. The key to unloading them is to drop the rear trailer, then drop the dolly. then dock the first trailer to load or unload. drop that trailer then return to the first trailer you dropped, rehook it without the dolly and then dock that 1.

I have heard in some union linehaul applications the drivers will simply pull onto the terminal and set the brakes. The driver then goes to a hotel for his break while another driver breaks the pups apart, docks the trailers, and then rehooks a set for the next driver to use the power unit to drag a set to another terminal. This is called slip seating and that power unit (tractor) will be used 3 shifts per day when possible.

 

My thanks to everyone who responded. I start my new gig next week and I was wondering what if any other endorsements would by a good investment for me. All in all it's pretty much what I thought already: the more options ya got, the better off you'll be. (Man, am I glad I know how to use the search!)

 

Just as long as the TRUCKER KITTY leaves guns and ammo behind!

GGEO

 

I think you should ask yourself... "do I want to drive a "wiggle wagon"" If you are sure you don't want to, then forget the endorsement. If you don't have it they can't put you in one.

 

After you get your CDL, Endorsements are added simply by taking the test.... except for HAZMAT that ALSO requires the Homeland Security / FBI fingerprinting and background check - and $90 fee.

 

I think it depends on the company as far as your chances of driving a double or triple. Schneider doesn't drive trips at all as far as I know...at leastI havent seen any. I know they do doubles, one regular 48 or 53 footer with a pup attached to it...I see one almost daily as Im going west and they go east. I think its the same driver probably doing a dedicated thing.