Trucking school count towards "driving experience"?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Jeremy102077, Apr 9, 2014.

  1. Jeremy102077

    Jeremy102077 Light Load Member

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    Jan 7, 2010
    Wichita, KS
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    I'm not new to the industry myself, of course. But I have a friend with less than a year under his belt, that I was trying to refer and get into my current company's "apprenticeship" program - for drivers with 6-12 months worth of experience. He says he's only got 4 months of OTR experience, but he was in school for 3 months, before attaining his cdl. Now, I couldn't tell you where I remember reading or hearing this, but I could swear I've heard somewhere before, that most companies will credit the time you spent behind the wheel in school, to your overall experience. I'm not sure if that would be by the letter of the law with the DOT, or if it's just a policy that some companies have to maybe cut some new drivers a little slack, and be able to "qualify" a few more otherwise less-experienced drivers. Anybody know anything specifically about this, that you may be able to shed a little light on? I would love to be able to tell my friend "hey guess what. You've actually got 7 months of experience, not 4!". But I would hate to get his hopes up, if I'm not exactly right about this.
     
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  3. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Depends on the company; for example, Melton Truck Lines says CDL school grad "OR" 3 months experience.
     
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  4. CondoCruiser

    CondoCruiser The Legend

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    OTR experience id gauged on seat time driving 5-7 states or more depending on the company.

    Short answer school doesn't count but time with a trainer does.
     
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  5. CargoWahgo

    CargoWahgo Road Train Member

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    Starter companies cdl school counts as one year experience.
    Good companies it doesn't.
     
  6. CondoCruiser

    CondoCruiser The Legend

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    Maybe that's why they let rookies train. They already have 1 year experience, lol.

    Experience is in dog years when they treat you like a dog! :)
     
  7. DRVNDRVR

    DRVNDRVR Light Load Member

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    Ask your current company's "apprenticeship" program supervisor-director for a real answer.
    Nothing but internet opinions here.....
     
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  8. Jeremy102077

    Jeremy102077 Light Load Member

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    Wichita, KS
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    Yup, that's what I'm already figuring on doing tomorrow. Not to say I haven't been amused with some of the replies on here ;)
     
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