Most Important Questions From New Drivers Threads

i have a550 accert with 411 gears and long over 13 speed and 295 22.5 tires looking for ways to get better fuel mileage.

 

anybody have any info on ffe transportaion got application turned in my recruiter called me next day

 

However, if a driver already has a CDL, that will serve as a substitute for the above requirement. In this case, any requirement by the employer of a new candidate to take a road test becomes a company policy and not a FMCSA requirement.

§391.33 Equivalent of road test.
(a) In place of, and as equivalent to, the road test required by §391.31, a person who seeks to drive a commercial motor vehicle may present, and a motor carrier may accept'
(a)(1) A valid Commercial Driver's License as defined in §383.5 of this subchapter, but not including double/triple trailer or tank vehicle endorsements, which has been issued to him/her to operate specific categories of commercial motor vehicles and which, under the laws of that State, licenses him/her after successful completion of a road test in a commercial motor vehicle of the type the motor carrier intends to assign to him/her; or
(a)(2) A copy of a valid certificate of driver's road test issued to him/her pursuant to §391.31 within the preceding 3 years.
(b) If a driver presents, and a motor carrier accepts, a license or certificate as equivalent to the road test, the motor carrier shall retain a legible copy of the license or certificate in its files as part of the driver's qualification file.
(c) A motor carrier may require any person who presents a license or certificate as equivalent to the road test to take a road test or any other test of his/her driving skill as a condition to his/her employment as a driver.

 

I think that anyone that has done a modicom of research into driving would know this is a tough business to break into and can be pretty disheartening until you've made your bones.
That being said, and knowing there are only about a half dozen companies out there that prey...er hire graduates fresh out of school, which company would you deem least preditory for someone to gravitate towards in getting started based on:
1. Willing to drive teams for a year
or
2. Wanting to be solo as soon as training is over?

 

will stevens transport still hire you if you only get a 1 year med card? 5 points off on bp!

 

wow...very well said, thanks

 

Welcome to trucking.This stuff happens.You have to ask yourself.....could your friend have found his tractor problems sooner and lessened breakdown and repair times? Could he have rescheduled his delivery? Trucking has provided very well for me and mine over the last 20 years but it's not a "do as you are told business" it's a "whatever it takes to get the job done deal",that's where your money is. Good luck

 

Yes, trucking can be fun, adventerous and very profitable. Most of what your told and hear are true, however your going to be lied to at times (espescially by recruiters). Just try not to take it personally, I know, it may be hard to do, but you do not want to be angry at someone who is not in that 80,000 lb missile with you.lol. Just pay attention in school(it wont last long) Your trainer with the company probably will tell or show you to do things that may or may not be legal or unethical. Do what you need to do to be safe and legal at ALL times! Remember, its YOUR CDL, YOUR MVR, YOUR DAC report and YOUR life.

Keep the rubber side down and the shiny side up

 

That depends on what you ultimately want to do. If you want to drive in a team situation, then start out driving teams. If you want to drive solo, then drive solo. There are significant differences between the two situations.

It is possible to structure a team set up where you never run out of hours on your 70. In a team situation, you seldom run into situations where you have to deal with your 14 hours expiring while you are delivering or picking up a load. In a team, your partner would take over. As a solo, you could have a problem.

So, try to decide and get the best training and the most experience possible in the kind of driving you want to do.

Good Luck and keep a positive attitude.

 

Hello,

I have been reading this forum for about a month. Based off what I found my 2 top choices are Watkins and Shepard and Cargo Express in Idaho. Both have mostly positive comments on this board, I have talked to drivers on the phone from both companies. I am leaning toward Watkins and Shepard because they let you go solo after their 30 day training or 10 and 3 day orientations. Your preference I am a fairly private person and do not want to be stuck in a truck with a trainer for another 6-8 weeks. Just my 2 cents.