Just a couple questions from a soon-to-be new driver.

10 hours a day you can drive. But I do belive that you can work up to 14 hours a day. That 10 hours is in that 14 hours of work.


I belive that is right. Im in school right now just finished my first week and about to head out to get my CDL permit.

 

14 hours on duty, 11 total driving

 

The Hours of Service are very easy to understand. Currently we are permitted to drive up to 11 hours within a 14 hour time frame. After we reach the end of that 14 hour work window we must take a mandatory 10 hour break before we can drive again.

Your 14 hour work window begins when you first start your work day. In my case this starts with a "pre-trip" inspection before I begin driving for the day.

As for time spent on a dock, inspecting your vehicle, fueling, etc this is considered "on duty not driving" time.

We are limited to 60 hours in 7 days or 70 hours in 8 days depending on wether your carrier works 7 days per week or less.

As for allotted time off per week, each carrier has their own rules. Some companies will alot 1 day off for each week worked while others will offer 1.5 days off for each week worked. Normally if you are going home for more than a few days the company may ask you to clean out your truck and park it at the terminal so they can use it if needed.

Visiting friends in your travels is possible but be wary of taking the truck into non approved areas such as residential areas. It would be better to park the truck at a truck stop and have your friend come get you.

As for a 3 week school this is a pretty short class and there will be alot you do not learn. When a company agrees to hire you they will be aware you will need further training and will assign you to a senior driver who will continue your training. The schools main objective is to get you enough information and practice to pass your road test and get you out the door.

As for navigating around cities and down mountains there will be plenty of signs. You will learn to read them all especially the ones relating to trucks.

 

The main thing to keep in mind about the bigger cities and mountains (applies to anywhere though), is to be aware of what is going on around you at all times, and paying attention to those signs. Making sure you have your directions written down clearly before getting in there if making a delivery will save you some major headaches.