Can anyone give me some advice on getting my trucker license, I dont have the 3-4 thousand for some of these trucker schools that have popped up everywhere saying you can get a license in a week

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wannabe single male trucker looking for female trucker to travel with. It will get lonely on the road traveling all the time, so having a compatabile companion to travel with would be great.

Joey , please click on the title "useful links" and go down to truck driving schools . from there you can start your search . You can also try community colleges , and see if you can get into one of those . A wee bit of advice , right now there are a lot of companies that have slowed their hiring and a few have hiring freezes on , if you still are employed and paying the bills then i would suggest that you wait until things pick up a bit . just my opinion though .

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just a bucket truck driver

Joey,

I would be glad to help you. Please call me anytime from 10am to 6pm eastern, M-F.

Marge Bailey
DriverFinder.Net
989.892.8433
WIT board member

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Marge Bailey
LadyTruckDrivers.com
WIT Board Member

Marge,

I never thought of it before, but you really do look like Wilma Flintstone!
The resembance is uncanny! It's good to see you on the forum!

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Live your dreams.

Thanks that's actually a compliment!!

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Marge Bailey
LadyTruckDrivers.com
WIT Board Member

For many people that are unemployed, under-employed or just need to upgrade their skills, there is funding available through the Workforce Investment Act, Veterans Administration, Trade Adjustment Act or other grants and fundings. Most of these fundings can accessed through the unemployment and jobs services centers in most states. There are some companies that will train you but most require a committment by you to work for them a certain pierod of time or repay the training costs. My suggesstion is to always start with the job services office then go to the community college or trade school that you want to attend. Be sure to look at more than one school!!!! Find the one that meets your needs and has the facilities and squipment that meets the industry expectations. Kreigh

I just got my CDL and I paid for school with a WIA scholorship as Kreigh mentioned. Also get a pre-hire with a carrier company that accepts inexperienced drivers before you start school.Good luck and do all the research you can to make sure this is the right decision for you. Be safe.
Dana

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Dana Gavin

Congradulations Dana! It took a little extra time and effort to obtain the funding but you did the right thing. If there are training dollars that you can get for free WOW! what a great start to your career. The Pre-Hire letter is a great incentive to do well and complete the training. It says you have a JOB! if you meet the requrements upon graduation. Again congradulations! Well done! good luck and let us know how you are doing. Kreigh

There are all kind of new books out about truck driving encluding mine, but sometimes you
need to go with your gut feeling. Dont ever travel to a state poorer than the one you currently
living in with the promise of making the big money. I have done that. Go with a trucking school that you are familiar with the location and ask lots of questions. If you dont know what
something means for instance the word pre pass or pays tolls ask questions. Find out what
other companies offer and what each thing that they offer really means. They have words you have never heard before. Ask several drivers. If you see a company you like, ask more
than one driver their opinion of the company. If you dont know anyone go to a truckstop
and ask several driver. Do a little research. Don't sign any owner operator contracts until
you find out if you like the job. Read my book and go in a flaming pit of dispair. Just kidding.
Good lucky ducky.

Solid advise. The one thing I will add is to not sign any kind of employment contract unless you fully understand the document. Lease Operator/Owner Operator contracts are very difficult to understand. Find a company that you can work for for a year or three (more 3 than 1) learn the industry, check the operating expenses, fuel, insurance, repairs, tires and living expense before you commit. I have been an owner operator in the past and it's great! But it has a down side too. Do that research, find the situation that fits your needs. Enjoy the ride! Kreigh

Here are a couple of Tips Sheets the Advisory Committee has done for WIT that will help you in making your decisions...

Questions to Ask a Prospective Truck Driving School
From the Women In Trucking Association Driver Advisory Committee
School Name and Location_________________________________________________
Person spoken to__________________________________________________
Phone # ___________________________ Date_______________________

1. How much is the tuition? _______________
2. Is there a funding source eg. grants, loans, company paid tuition?_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. How long is the course?________________
4. What is the student to instructor ratio?______________________
5. Is there life time job referral?__________________________
6. What companies hire from the school?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
7. Is room and board included? Yes___ No___
8. How much is room cost?_____________
9. What out of pocket expenses are there?___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
10. How much behind the wheel instruction is there?___________
11. How many times can a student retake the test without extra cost?____________ What is the extra charge if there is one for retesting?_______________
12. Is the school accredited? Yes____ No____
13. How much classroom instruction is there and what does it entail?__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
14. Do they teach FMCSA rules and regulations? Yes___ No____
15. Do they use loaded trailers or empty?______________
16. Do they teach any mechanical other than pretrip? Yes____ No____ If yes, what else?__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
17. Do they only train on dry van? Yes___ No____ If yes, what type of trailers?_________________________________________________________________
18. Do they teach tarping, load securement? Yes____ No_____
19. Do they require physicals and drug testing? Yes____ No____
20. Do they do background checks prior to starting school? Yes___ No___
21. How old are their trucks?______________
22. Are their trucks mechanically sound? Yes____ No_____
23. How much experience do the instructors have?___________________________________
24. What is the hiring percentage rate of the school?______________
25. Is there a refund if one washes out early? Yes___ No____
26. Is there any mountain/steep hills driving, training or instruction? Yes____ No___
27. Is there any winter/cold climate/slippery roads/use of chains, etc.
driving, training or instruction? Yes____ No____
28. How long of a trailer do they train on.?___________________
29. Is there a motel or other sleeping accommodations available? Yes___ No___
30. Will I be required to share a room? Yes___ No___
31. Do they teach Hours of Service and log book? Yes___ No___
32. Do they have simulators? Yes___ No___
33. Is there transportation to and from the school and motel? Yes___ No___
34. What tools will I need for class? atlas___ruler___pen___notebook___boots___gloves___mechanical toolkit___
35. Do I need to have my cdl permit before coming to school or will I get that after starting school? Before___ After___

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The only stupid question is the one you do not ask...

Questions to Ask a Prospective Training Company
From the Women In Trucking Association Driver Advisory Committee
Company____________________________________________
Recruiter’s name______________________________________
Phone number_________________________ Date______________

The basis for this list of questions comes from OOIDA and has been adapted by the WIT Driver Advisory Committee to cover what a student should be asking of a prospective training company and can also be used by an experienced company driver.
1. Will I be: Hired employee___ Contract driver___ (A contract driver is usually paid on a percentage basis and taxes are the responsibility of the contract driver. There also must be a contract between the company and the driver. This contract is for the IRS audits and must meet their requirements. A good way to tell is to refer to form SS8).
2. What is the pay while I am with a trainer? _______
3. Does the company reimburse trucking school tuition if I have paid it myself? Yes___ No ___
4. Does the company pay tuition for trucking school and endorsements? Yes___ No___
5. If the company reimburses tuition or pays tuition, how long of a contract do I have to sign? ______months
6. If the company pays for truck driving school, do I have to pay it back? Yes___ No___ At what rate per week? _________
7. As an employee, how is my pay figured? Hourly____ Rate____ By the mile____ Rate____
8. If paid by the mile, how is mileage calculated? Hub miles____ Computer program such as PCMiler, HHG, etc.____ Dispatched miles____ Loaded miles____
9. Does the company hold back the first paycheck? Yes____ No____ If so, how long? One week____ Two weeks____
10. Does the company have Body Mass Index restrictions? Yes___ No ___
11. If I have a current DOT physical, will I have to take another from the company doctor? Yes___ No ___ If so, who pays for it? Company ___ Me ___
12. Will I be required to do a strength test to be hired? Yes___ No___ If so, what weight will I be required to lift during test? _______________________________
13. Is the driver responsible for loading and unloading? Yes____ No____ 6. If not, how is the lumper issue handled? Company contract with lumpers____ Advances for lumpers (deduct from paycheck)____ Reimbursement for lumper with receipts____
14. If driver unloads, how is payment made? Flat rate___ Hourly____ Piece____ By weight____
15. What is the company policy on fueling? Driver choice of supplier____ Company choice of supplier____ Fuel Card supplied____ Driver pays & company reimburses___
16. Does the company pay for: Layovers____ Detention time____ Canceled loads____ Multiple drops and picks____ Tolls____ Truck washes____ Trailer wash-outs____ Scale tickets____ Minor road repairs to equipment such as clearance lights, wiring, etc.____
17. Does the company run solo or team operation after training period? Solo___ Team___ How is the co-driver picked? Company assigned___ Driver chooses___
18. How many miles per week can I expect to run? ______
19. How many days/weeks will a driver be kept out? ______
20. What is the policy on home time? ______________________________________________________
21. What benefits does the company offer? Paid vacation ____ After how long ____ How much vacation time ____ Sick days____ After how long ____ How many sick days ____ Health/dental care ____Is family included? Yes___ No ____ Safety awards ____ Retirement plans/401K ____ Rider policy ____Company paid? Yes___ No ___ What are the age requirements? ____ Is it limited to family members only? Yes ____ No ____ Safety bonuses____ Based on: no violations/accidents ____; Customer Service ____; Feedback/complaints from general public____; On-time ____; SO&D ____; Idle time ____; On time ____ ; Fuel Mileage ____
22. Do you have forced dispatch? Yes____ No____
23. What regions does the company expect you to run? _______________________________________________; Does the company run in areas that you do not want go, such as Canada, Mexico, or NY? Yes____ No____
24. Does the company offer dedicated runs? Yes____ No ____; If yes, how do I get one? ______________________
25. Does driver work directly with brokers (hand-offs)? Yes____ No ____
26. What is the company policy on check calls (status for the day)? _______________________________________
27. Does the company allow pets in the truck? Yes ____ No ____ If so, are damage deposits required? Yes ____ No____; If so, how much? _____ Deposit return policy? ____________________________________________
28. Does company provide cell phones? Yes____ No ____
29. What kind of truck will I be driving? Year____ Make_____ Model_____ 22. Can driver take the truck home? Yes ____ No ____
30. What kind of transmission? _________________________________________ 24. What kind of engine? _____________________________________________
31. What kind of sleeper? _____________________________________________
32. Can I put my own chrome and lights on the truck? Yes ____ No ____
33. Are speeds governed? Yes ____ No ____ If so, governed at what speed? ____________________________
34. CB equipped? Yes ____ No ____
35. AM/FM radio/TV? Yes _____ No ____
36. Refrigerator? Yes ____ No ____
37. Qualcom? Yes ____ No ____
38. Air Ride seats? Yes ____ No _____
39. Engine Brakes? Yes ____ No ____
40. Opti-Idle? Yes ____ No ____
41. How often does company purchase new equipment? _______________________________________
42. Can I purchase my truck through the company? Yes ____ No ____ Lease/purchase plan? Yes ____ No ____ Success rate on lease/purchase? ____________________________________________________________
43. Does the company provide training? Yes ____ No ____
44. Who chooses my trainer? Company___ Me___
45. If company paid, is there a penalty if I leave the company before a specified period of time? Yes ____ No ____; If penalty, how is it calculated? ________________________________________________________________
46. What are trainer requirements? ______________________________________________________________
47. Does the trainer receive extra pay? Yes ____ No ____
48. If I choose to become a trainer, will I be able to refuse to train a potential driver? Yes ____ No ____
49. Is trainer responsible for actions of trainees? Yes ____ No ____
50. at is the length of training period? _________________________________________________________
51. Will I be assigned solo after the training period? Yes ____ No ____
52. Are female trainers provided for female trainees upon request? Yes ____ No ____
53. Is there a smoking/non-smoking policy? Yes ____ No ____
54. If I do not smoke, will I be assigned a truck that no one has smoked in before? Yes___ No___
55. Is an escrow, security deposit, performance bond, or any type of money held back by the company? Yes ____ No ____; If so, what is the required amount, and what is the return policy? ___________________________________
56. Is transportation provided to orientation? Yes ____ No ____
57. Motel/Food paid by company? Yes ____ No ____
58. Will I be required to share a room during orientation? Yes___ No---
59. Does the company pay for orientation? Yes ____ No ____
60. If I am disqualified or if I choose not to sign on, does the company pay for my transportation back home? Yes____ No ____
61. How long will I have to wait for a trainer? _____
62. If I have to wait for a trainer, am I paid during that wait? Yes___ No___
63. If I have to wait for a trainer and am sent back home to do so, does the company pay for the travel expenses back home then back to the company? Yes___ No___
64. If there are personality conflicts between myself and my trainer, am I allowed to change trainers? Yes___ No___
65. Will I have a road test prior to being hired? Yes___ No___
66. Will I have another road test after my training period? Yes___ No___
67. During orientation, do you have hazmat safety class? Yes___ No___
68. Will there be someone available 24 hours a day if I have any problems to help me resolve them? Yes___ No___
69. Do you have a driver liaison program to assist drivers who might be having problems? Yes___ No___
70. If I am required to run team after being with my trainer, how long before I can go solo? _______
71. Do you hire drivers with felonies? Yes___ No___ If yes, how long since conviction is required? _____ What type of felonies will disqualify me?______________________

This is a fairly comprehensive listing of questions and you may have more or less than are listed here. You can adapt this list for yourself if you are going to be running team with your spouse or have a co driver in place for after training. Be warned, a lot of recruiters are going to balk at answering all of these questions or may tell you that you will find out the answer in orientation…do not choose a company without having all of YOUR questions answered before traveling for orientation. We suggest talking to the company a couple of times before choosing them and asking some of the same questions twice to see if the answers match.

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The only stupid question is the one you do not ask...

WOW, someone did their homework, as a teacher I love it when the research is done and the end product is so good. There might be some additional questions/explainations that the student will need to respond to; Driver's License, background and others to help the school determine if they can help the student achieve their goals even before they run a background check. There might be more questions/explainations needed for different regions or states as the rules for training are different between states on the training requirements. And as always look at more than one school to get the best possible fit between you and the training you recieve, private schools and public schools (community colleges, tech schools) look at all that's available to you. Kreigh

The demand for truck drivers is rising and those who can drive wheels can gain from the employment opportunity offered by the trucking industry. Truck driver schools are professional schools where students and potential truck drivers go to learn driving a truck. Such schools are designed so that after graduation, students can pass the commercial driver’s license (CDL) training. After a student passes the commercial driver’s license test, they can start to look for work for a transport company and start their career in the profitable, yet challenging world of truck driving.

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http://fielxo.com

My advice is always drive carefully.......

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http://fielxo.com

I was reading the Newsletter from May 2011, very good newsletter Ellen! I particularly thought the article (Driver Safety - Is Testosterone a Factor?) very interesting!

I like the fact that we are not all cookie cutter people and that there is a recognized difference between men and women. Not always, but generally.

That is why many women are caretakers and men tend towards riskier employment. I can accept that difference and still be a woman in riskier profession. That is one of the reasons I joined WIT.

I see it as the same concept as the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program or a program that I heard Bill O talk about once where kids were taken out of the Bronx and sent to the country to camp to learn about the rest of their world!

Mentoring is a huge way to open up doors of opportunity for others that would have no idea what is available and what they can actually do. For trucking, that is me and you. By letting women know, yes this is a risky job, but so is the commute you take everyday to and from your desk, or wherever you may work. You can with knowledge and training, become something you never dreamed before.

As stated in the article, we all have testosterone. But we have a bit less than men, guess what? Does that not make us actually much more tougher to move outside our comfort zone than it is for men? It does! Which tells me that women are stronger when they are able to overcome that fear and step up to the plate. So celebrate! You can do it! One for the girls, zero for the boys! Girls rule, boys drool! Giggling...

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Member Id#: 10736-D

Success is getting what you want, but Happiness comes with appreciating what you get!

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