CDL Information

[peobryant]

As most of you know I'm only 18yrs old. I've wanted to get my CDL for a while, and just recently learned you can get an intrastate CDL when you're 18. I've also called a trucking company and told them my situation and they told me I'd get an interview after I got some more information on my CDL.

Basically what I'm asking is do any of you have any advice for getting the permit, or anything I should know?

Thanks

[towcat]

I'm never one not to tell someone to "follow your dreams". You gotta do what makes you happy or it's not worth doing.
That being said, there is a brutal reality that you may face. Getting a CDL is the easier task compared to finding a company who's insurance will take you on. Most insurance companies have trouble with 21 year olds to begin with. 25 is the "magic" age where it becomes easier to find a company who will take you on. If you do find one, do expect to take a serious cut in pay due to them willing to take you on and the extra hit for the insurance.
good luck!

[peobryant]

Thanks for the reply, I appreciate it. The company I talked to seemed like they were really needing people, and the ad in the paper stated I'd make at least $800 per week. I'm not sure if that guarantees miles or what but I know $800 a week is a hell of a lot more than I made at my last 3 jobs.

Again, I appreciate the information, and I'll keep it all in mind.

Thanks

[Richie O]

All I know is my first CDL job was operating a brand new $200,000 38 foot long Volvo flat bed with a radio controled telescopic boom and I made 7.50 per hour. I was in my early 20's. Most other ( experenced ) operators of similar equipment was in the 12 to 13 dollar range at that point in time. I did it because it was brand new and I needed the experence. I was young and I had the best truck around here for a while. I would look into it and see if the money is true and if they would hire a rookie. When ( or I should say if ) the economy comes back they will be hiring anyone with a pulse to drive a truck. Over the years I have seen some scary drivers. I had 1 tractor trailer try and turn around in my driveway. Didn't work. I got home and the road ( and my driveway ) was blocked. He was pooin razorblades. He said it was his first day and he was going to loose his job. He was happy when he found out it was my yard and it was my equipment in it. Pulled him out and sent him on his way.

[Mark Nixon]

To get a CDL In Nebraska, you must drive a combination that totals over 26,000 pounds or has a single weight over 16,000(?) pounds and has air brakes, plus pass the appropriate knowledge tests for Class A, B or C CDL.
I believe a class B is a straight truck, or bus, with air brakes, which requires a CDL, usually.

Be advised, if you have a propensity for speeding, better tone it down, because with a CDL you lose the rights of most drivers, like the one to take a defensive driver class to remove speeding tickets from your record.

I had a Class 'A' (Non-airbrakes, combination over 26,000 pounds) and got stopped twice in one year in a car and could NOT take a D.D. class.
I dropped that thing like a hot potato after the 2nd ticket.

Mark.

[towcat]

....and the ad in the paper stated I'd make at least $800 per week. I'm not sure if that guarantees miles or what but I know $800 a week is a hell of a lot more than I made at my last 3 jobs.......

when you go talk to the HR person, you better get that number in writing. you're going to find out they will make all sorts of excuses and then start discounting. be honest with yourself firstly. you will need to be grateful a company will take you on. get all the experience on whatever they throw at you. more than likely it will be a lawn flamingo. but the nice thing is if you bump and bruise it, you won't get yelled at nearly as bad as if you damaged a shiny new rig. you will make mistakes, just pray it won't be one that will cost you your CDL or your life.

[BobS]

Fifth most dangerous job in the USA:
http://www.247quoteus.com/life/top-10-m ... -insurance

[KTA]

I had a intrastate CDL at one time, It was no big deal and automaticly rolled over to a regular CDL at 21. Get the drivers book and learn all the stuff in it so you can pass the written test. You will have to get a physical done and it will have to be redone every 2 years for your medical card. You will also need access to whatever style vehicle you are trying to get licensed for in order to take the driving portion of the test. I am a Class A driver with all the endorsments except hazmat so I can drive pretty much anything. Hazmat can increase pay a bunch, but is also a lot more trouble with background checks yearly tests, and the list goes on.

[MMeier]

Parker, this "company" isn't swift, is it ?

[Richie O]

Fifth most dangerous job in the USA:
http://www.247quoteus.com/life/top-10-m ... -insurance

Well, I am in trouble then. I have number 1 and 5 covered. Fishing is pretty dangerous. Had a guy here a few years ago get dragged overboard by his traps. I have had a few close calls with ropes wrapping around my legs as gear is set. You have to be fast to get out of it. I don't care how strong you are you are not going to stop the rope from pulling you over. I think just this year we have lost 7 fisherman along the coast. All those were due to boats sinking.

[Richie O]

When I went for my B license road test ( I had that for a while before I got my A ) I was pretty young. The guy giving the road test was a real jerk. He sat me in his van and chewed me a new one for over a half hour. He told me if I didn't find the lord I would go to hell, and until I grew up to be a man I was to sit on the toilet to pee. Im not kidding. I think he may have been provoking me so I would screw up on the test. He was pe'oed with the truck I was using. ( 7 yard dump ). He made the coarse tighter and I still pased. When I went for my A test that guy was tough but nice.

[peobryant]

To get a CDL In Nebraska, you must drive a combination that totals over 26,000 pounds or has a single weight over 16,000(?) pounds and has air brakes, plus pass the appropriate knowledge tests for Class A, B or C CDL.
I believe a class B is a straight truck, or bus, with air brakes, which requires a CDL, usually.

Be advised, if you have a propensity for speeding, better tone it down, because with a CDL you lose the rights of most drivers, like the one to take a defensive driver class to remove speeding tickets from your record.

I had a Class 'A' (Non-airbrakes, combination over 26,000 pounds) and got stopped twice in one year in a car and could NOT take a D.D. class.
I dropped that thing like a hot potato after the 2nd ticket.

Mark.

I don't have to worry about speeding. I rarely drive over 60mph (usually it's 55mph) and have never gotten a ticket in my life. I've been pulled over once, but the officer admitted he was at fault after we talked and he apologized to me, so no worries there.

....and the ad in the paper stated I'd make at least $800 per week. I'm not sure if that guarantees miles or what but I know $800 a week is a hell of a lot more than I made at my last 3 jobs.......

when you go talk to the HR person, you better get that number in writing. you're going to find out they will make all sorts of excuses and then start discounting. be honest with yourself firstly. you will need to be grateful a company will take you on. get all the experience on whatever they throw at you. more than likely it will be a lawn flamingo. but the nice thing is if you bump and bruise it, you won't get yelled at nearly as bad as if you damaged a shiny new rig. you will make mistakes, just pray it won't be one that will cost you your CDL or your life.

Honestly, the experience is what I'm interested in most because every job I've had before this has been just that, a job. If I can get this one it may actually lead to a career that I've been interested in since I was a little kid. I'm prepared at being yelled at, nothing like two older brothers screaming at the youngest brother when we were growing up on my Grandpa's farm.

Thank you all for the input, it really means a lot.

[Richie O]

Parker, Have you ever shifted a truck tranny? Taking a test in a heavy truck is impossible if your not used to it. Its a pain in the butt when you first start learning. They will fail people for grinding and missed gears. My first test truck had a syncro 6 speed with a 2 speed rear. It was easy. By the time my A test came around I used our Autocar with a 8LL.

[towcat]

Parker, Have you ever shifted a truck tranny? Taking a test in a heavy truck is impossible if your not used to it. Its a pain in the butt when you first start learning. They will fail people for grinding and missed gears. My first test truck had a syncro 6 speed with a 2 speed rear. It was easy. By the time my A test came around I used our Autocar with a 8LL.

the world is a very different place now. newer trucks have trannies you can shift in your sleep. I repo'd a late model Freight over the summer that had no shifter stick. you let the clutch out to get going and play with paddle shifters to go up and down.....yes it's really crazy these days.....

[Richie O]

Parker, Have you ever shifted a truck tranny? Taking a test in a heavy truck is impossible if your not used to it. Its a pain in the butt when you first start learning. They will fail people for grinding and missed gears. My first test truck had a syncro 6 speed with a 2 speed rear. It was easy. By the time my A test came around I used our Autocar with a 8LL.

the world is a very different place now. newer trucks have trannies you can shift in your sleep. I repo'd a late model Freight over the summer that had no shifter stick. you let the clutch out to get going and play with paddle shifters to go up and down.....yes it's really crazy these days.....

I have seen those before but most trucks still have the stick. Mine will always have a stick.