Coming out of Training

Yes, and then some.
Personally, I think the standard should be much higher for both the student and the trainer. It's hard to teach someone what they really need to know out here in 8 weeks. And it's hard to teach someone what they need to know when the trainer has only been out here for a year or so themselves. That time requirement falls under the discretion of the Company you are driving for which is regulated by their insurance company. Some companies like Werner are self insured which means they can write their own rules. You simply have to demonstrate that you can safely and proficiently operate a commercial vehicle on your own. But "safely and proficiently" is a rational term.They pop drivers in the drivers seat so fast anymore because of the "Corporate Push" to fill the driver shortage. When a driver has an accident due to his/her lack of training, their career is in trouble before they even get started. I've seen this happen many times. And sometimes it cost' people their lives

When I had 2 yrs of Commercial driving experience I thought I was the driver of the century. In hindsight, several years later I realized how little I really knew. There are so many things that I had to learn the hard way because I was never taught. Most of us get a little time under our belts and we begin to develop ####sureness without realizing how little we really know. Best thing I can tell you is to pick a company that requires more time with a trainer so you can give yourself some time to learn as much as possible before testing out. And remember that when you make a mistake such as banging into something, you are the one that will be charged so don't be intimidated by a pushy trainer that wants to put you into a situation you feel is unsafe. Call the training department. A good trainer will not allow you to place yourself in that position.

Once you are on your own, remember that it's a license to learn, learn and learn. Talk to senior drivers in a truck stop restaurant and listen to their stories and don't be afraid to ask them questions with an open mind. Drivers come in all different shapes and sizes and you will hear many opinions.

If there is one thing I have learned from driving trucks for over 30 years it's that
No matter how good you are and no matter how long you've been doing it, IT can happen to you.

 

8 weeks isn't really quite enough training first off, but I guess you'll just figure it out on your own. Second, trucking companies that have different types of freight usually let you go from one to the other if you decide you need to change. So I wouldn't worry, whatever you want to do when you're finished training, it will be there waiting for you lol

 

Normally, division, location or job is decided before or during orientation. Orientation with many companies is when you are officially hired, so if you haven't decided before training, you will likely be put where ever they need drivers the most.

 

Speaking of my experience with Swift, the last year as a trainer, you can choose your division at orientation: dry van, reefer, or flatbed. Then you will go out with a trainer from that division, usually OTR, however some trainers run dedicated routes.

If you train with someone on a dedicated fleet you can easily step into going solo in that fleet as long as there is an opening. Otherwise when you go solo you will be assigned to OTR. Once you have a few months OTR under your belt if you are interested in a dedicated fleet you should talk to your driver manager and let them know.

Every dedicated account has a fleet manager. Once you apply to join the fleet the first thing that manager is going to do is look at your performance record, especially your on time percentage, safe risk score, and average miles per week. Some fleets are hard to get on and only the best are considered.

I had one trainee who's heart was set on running a dedicated beer account. He never made it. Problem was he averaged under 2000 miles a week, dawdle a lot, and had some service failures. That beer account needs runners that can do 2500 miles in 4.5 to 5 days, take a weekend 34, then rinse and repeat.

Your best bet is to talk to other drivers in your company and your driver manager to figure out WHICH dedicated account is best for you AND run solid, safe miles. Start applying to the fleet or fleets you want.