| Are you unemployed? Or have you worked in an | | | | begins on Monday. You get checked into the motel |
| office for years and want something different to do to | | | | hotel, go swimming, get something to eat etc. but do |
| earn a living? I know Doctors, Lawyers, Police Officers, | | | | something relaxing. Because when the school begins it |
| CEO, etc. who have decided that after years of | | | | is grueling, they only have 3 weeks to teach you. |
| service that they were either tired of it, or just didn't | | | | This is broke down into part classroom work and then |
| think that their field was worth it anymore. They are | | | | part yard/road training. Here is a table I created from |
| now truck drivers, going all over the country sight | | | | PTDI a school that come highly recommended. |
| seeing and getting paid for it. | | | | |
| Anyone can be become a truck driver, provided they | | | | 1. Basic Operation - includes Orientation, Control |
| are not felons and are not alcoholics or drug abusers. | | | | systems, vehicle inspection, basic control, shifting, |
| All you have to do is get in touch with an accredited | | | | backing and docking, coupling and un-coupling. 18(22) |
| truck driving school. Most companies now that will only | | | | hours of classroom and 24(29) hours for range and |
| hire from these type of truck driving schools. | | | | street/road driving. |
| Just as when you try to go to work anywhere | | | | 2. Safe operating practice for Basic Operation - |
| nowadays you must pass a pretty extensive | | | | includes visual search, vehicle communication, speed |
| background check to even be considered for these | | | | management, space management. 8(10) hours |
| truck driving schools. Once you get accepted to the | | | | classroom and 17(20) hours street/road driving. |
| school, the first thing you will be required to do is a | | | | 3. Advanced Operating Practices - includes night |
| Drug Test. This is the first of many Drug Test you will | | | | operations, extreme Driving conditions, Hazard |
| endure through out your new career as a Truck driver. | | | | perception, Emergency maneuvers/Skid avoidance, |
| The next step is a DOT Physical, this requirement is to | | | | Skid control and recovery, Passive (unmarked or |
| make sure you are physically able to be a Truck | | | | uncontrolled) railroad crossings. 14(17) hours of |
| Driver. You may want to read through what is involved | | | | classroom and 3(4) hours of yard/driving. |
| in the Physical because this is what disqualifies most | | | | 4. Vehicle Systems and reporting malfunctions - |
| people from getting into a Truck Driving School. | | | | includes Identification and Maintenance, Diagnosing and |
| Now that you have this out of the way, you must find | | | | Reporting malfunctions. 6(7) hours of classroom and |
| a way to pay for this school. Some companies will | | | | 0(0) hours of yard/driving. |
| give you a pre-hire letter. This means that they will | | | | 5. Non Vehicle activities - includes Handling and |
| offer to pay for this school upfront but you must | | | | Documenting Cargo, Environmental issues, Hours of |
| agree to stay on employed with them until the debit | | | | service requirements, Accident procedures, Managing |
| has been paid, usually within a year or so. They will | | | | life on the road/Personal Resources, Trip Planning, |
| take this out of your check, each week. | | | | Communication Skills.43(52) hours of classroom and |
| Now you have your hire letter and everything is set, | | | | 0(0) hours of yard/driving. |
| the school has called you and set up a time for you to | | | | This is a total of 148 hours minimum and 178 hours |
| get started. Most schools will provide you with a way | | | | maximum. This accredited truck driving school will |
| to get to the school, and a motel/hotel for you to stay | | | | teach you the basics of truck driving, they will most |
| in while in school. Of course you are the one paying | | | | likely teach enough to know to get your CDL License. |
| for this. They will most likely provide transportation to | | | | So if you can pass a Drug Test, and DOT physical |
| and from their school to the motel/hotel and DOT | | | | and are not a felon or a drug abuser, and you want to |
| physical and Drug Test. | | | | change careers give Truck Driving a chance. |
| Lets say you will arrive on Sunday before school | | | | |