I'm a wanna be trucker, is it possible to ride-along with a driver??

Hello...

First, congratulations on your common sense. Most people watch "Convoy," get a sweat ball under their nose, and charge into the first company that will have them; I don't often see people take the methodical approach you are using to undergo a career change.

It seems you know that long haul trucking is more than a career; it is a lifestyle--no matter what some people may tell you. If you have a family you will likely spend much more time in your truck than with them.

Okay...your question. Different carriers have different policies concerning riders. There is an insurance and documentation requirement that prevents you from just jumping into a truck with someone. That said, there are some carriers where it is easier than with others.

Some carriers do not have a rider policy. I myself am a lease operator with Dart, and their only requirement for me to carry an adult is to sign and fax in a form they send me, and have the passenger keep that form on their person at all times. They do not charge me, and the authorization is valid for 1 year. Most every carrier that allows riders will require the passenger to sign and keep this form on them. DOT will ask for it in the event of a roadside inspection, and it is major bad juju for the driver and passenger both if something happens and the passenger does not have the form.

There are carriers that require a fee with the form. It is usually not very much money, generally not more than $20. Be aware that some carriers will only authorize relatives (spouse, sibling, child) on the truck. You just have to ask the driver you are planning on riding with; if he/she doesn't know, the safety department can fill you in.

A quick word about your ride. It sounds like you aren't planning on making a vacation out of it, and I salute you for that. It isn't all fun and games out here, although the benefits are unique to our profession. I suggest you get involved in the daily business of the driver. Learn how to properly drop and hook a trailer, slide tandems, walk with them to the shipping/receiving office and get on the driver's schedule (eat when they eat, sleep when they sleep, etc), get involved in trip planning and logging, etc. You might also consider getting a CDL manual from your local DOT office and getting your CDL learner's permit (check your office for requirements). Then, if you happen to go out with an owner/operator working under his own authority, you might get to do some limited driving

Finally, if after a few weeks on the road you feel ready to take the plunge, when choosing a driving school try to find a local community college that offers the training. It will be a whole lot cheaper than one of the big chain schools (think under a thousand dollars vs $3500+), and you will not be tied to a payment or to a company that promises to pay your tuition if you put up with their abuse for a year. The CDL you get is the same one either way. Same goes for companies that offer to train you. I rushed into a bad company and it took years to recover from the experience. There are some good ones out there but do your research carefully.

Good luck to you in your endeavors. If you keep us all posted, I'll be watching your posts with interest in the coming weeks and months.

I am Captain Zoom.
I have spoken.

 

Find a trucking company near you and go tlk with them and ask if you can ride with a driver to make sure its what u wanna do..I think all ppl should do this..good luck

 

Sounds creepy, unless your a good looking blonde gal.

 

Hi OP, I am from Nashville and just drove through Knoxville a few hours ago to get home. To me, adapting to life on the road was no problem and instant. If truck stops didn't have showers then it would be a big problem. It is just like being at home... when you are hungry you eat, same applies on the road. You want to take a break, you park and do your thing. You get sleepy, same thing you park and go into the comfortable sleeper. You feel dirty and want to shave, use your rewards card to get a free shower and freshen up, and you are done. I have MIFI internet all over the US so being at home is the same as being on the road. The only difference is you cannot drive your truck anywhere you want as long as you want like a car. When you are new you think there is a lot more to it than it actually is.

 

That is exactly how I got started, rode with log truck drivers at first. But I also was an accomplished mechanic by then and of course they liked the Idea of having the help along, LoL. Anyway , I rode and rode and rode some more till one day we had just left out from the loader in the woods on the mountain and my buddy stopped came around and opened my door, I asked what he was doing, he said its not what I am doing it is what your gonna do, take us off the mountain sonny boy, so down the mountain we went grinding gears and smokin brakes with sweat all over his stearing wheel , I got chewed out for that. That fella was the best teacher I ever had. Of course it is different now and you are not up in the woods on the mountain haulin logs, same theory though. I rode with a bunch of guys before I got my license and watched everything they did, but wasn't in a hurry, meaning I didn't ask about his every movement one time I would ask about this , then , next time I would ask about that, and listen closely. Owner operators on short hauls is a good place to start, get your feet wet so to speak. You might have to hang around the guys shop and polish tanks and wheels, bust tires, change brakes and oil and grease jobs before you get a break, unless you got $5000 you want to throw around on schools. Ya sure you will have to do that school thing too one day but give yourself a head start on the other greenhorns and know this other stuff too, it makes a big difference. Take your time, watch and learn, ask some questions, wait for an answer.
J-J

 

Captain Zoom pretty much layed it out for you...good answer. I'd be real careful who you hook up with,as straight as you say you are may not matter to a big buffalo. This is kinda like putting an ad on Craigslist, you don't know what you're gonna get. Just go for it, sounds like you'd enjoy it.

 

captain zoom. LUV THE NAME !!!!!!!!!!!!:smt044

you would have a better chance finding an owner operator, to ride with.