Class A drivers license

**DAAS** · 03-26-2014, 12:57 PM

Any one have one? And regrets or tips or knowledge. Looking into getting one to work for an oil company.

**diesel101** · 03-26-2014, 03:08 PM

I have had one for about 23 years if you have had experience operating class A vehicles or mechanics experience on them its not that hard to pass the test and get one. There are a lot of classes available to take that will help you get one.
Nothing negative about having one that I am aware of. There are several endorsements that you can add onto the license if you want them such as tankers,doubles and triples,passenger and hazardous chemicals. I believe that hazardous is only good for 1 or 2 years then you have to retake that test.

**Lunk1** · 03-26-2014, 03:20 PM

I have had one for several years. There is likely someone locally that will train you and rent you their truck and train you to easily pass the inspection and driving portion of the CDL test. I don't haul interstate commerce so I am not required to get the annual physical that the DOT requires.

**DAAS** · 03-26-2014, 03:39 PM

My step father is a freighter or what ever you call them so i wouldnt have trouble getting jobs, but i live near oil field and they pay "up to $6,000 a week" to drive shipments of drilling pipes.

What typically did/do you guys make? Is it stressful on relationships? Does it make making a home seem pointless or difficult?

**David LoPan** · 03-26-2014, 04:58 PM

If you are sending 6K home a week I dont think your wife will miss you that much but might fall in love with shopping! Seems like the more I make the more shoes my wife ends up with.

**ppwc1985** · 03-26-2014, 05:22 PM

I have one and drive 5 days a week in the north east, been driving since 08 after retiring from military. If they gonna pay 6000 a week that is an owner operator and you need your own truck. Just starting out it's gonna be hard for you to do that. Most company's won't look at you without at least 1 year ex. I work 5 days week and make I between 1000 and 1200 a week. I'm home every night, if it's an owner op the truck may make 6000 a week but trust me you ain't bringing that home. Heavy haul, or oversized owner ops can make that but it's very limited. It's not the safest job, it can be very stressful at times and with all the regulations they are putting on us it's hard to make a living anymore. A plus, nobody standing over you all the time. If you decide to, number one. Be safe, us your head. To many newbies out here driving their trucks like its a car, killing people. Biggest hazard is people in four wheelers, they just don't understand I'm driving an 80,000 lb missile.

**RaginCajun** · 03-26-2014, 06:29 PM

Originally Posted by Lunk1

I have had one for several years. There is likely someone locally that will train you and rent you their truck and train you to easily pass the inspection and driving portion of the CDL test. I don't haul interstate commerce so I am not required to get the annual physical that the DOT requires.

What about your other job? No annual physical?

**lovbyts** · 03-26-2014, 06:31 PM

Originally Posted by BigTahl

If you are sending 6K home a week I dont think your wife will miss you that much but might fall in love with shopping! Seems like the more I make the more shoes my wife ends up with.

She might fall in love with the delivery boy though.

**DAAS** · 03-26-2014, 07:01 PM

Thanks for the info. So do you see yourself needing to find a different career soon? $1,000-$1,500 aint bad, especially for me since I am single at the moment. But how many hours is that 5 days? I assume you're driving for more than 8 hours a day. The thing that scares me is driving in high wind conditions.

Originally Posted by ppwc1985

I have one and drive 5 days a week in the north east, been driving since 08 after retiring from military. If they gonna pay 6000 a week that is an owner operator and you need your own truck. Just starting out it's gonna be hard for you to do that. Most company's won't look at you without at least 1 year ex. I work 5 days week and make I between 1000 and 1200 a week. I'm home every night, if it's an owner op the truck may make 6000 a week but trust me you ain't bringing that home. Heavy haul, or oversized owner ops can make that but it's very limited. It's not the safest job, it can be very stressful at times and with all the regulations they are putting on us it's hard to make a living anymore. A plus, nobody standing over you all the time. If you decide to, number one. Be safe, us your head. To many newbies out here driving their trucks like its a car, killing people. Biggest hazard is people in four wheelers, they just don't understand I'm driving an 80,000 lb missile.

**ppwc1985** · 03-26-2014, 08:11 PM

No I'm late 40's so I'm gonna do this a few more years then retire to Philippines. Yes high winds can be a problem, mostly with vans and empty. But I seen trucks go over in Ohio and Wisconsin, I about went over than went a few more miles and pulled it over. It's not worth dying over. Till you get to know how to drive which takes a good three years at least, there are a lot things that can scare you. Hills, black ice, animals, and people in cars who don't know or care how their driving. But if your a sensible, smart young guy or gal you should be ok. If you have no common sense, please stay out of a truck. Lool. If you need any advice or anything just pm me, maybe I can help. If your young, you need to just go to college. Just my 2cents. That's my advice, or join the military. Good luck!

**ppwc1985** · 03-26-2014, 08:13 PM

Oh, driving a truck most the time is 6 days a week and up to 14 hrs a day. I have a good job, I only put in about 10-12 hrs most the time. Mid summer that can go up to 55-65 hrs in 5 days.

**Lunk1** · 03-27-2014, 07:53 AM

Originally Posted by 00ragincajun00

What about your other job? No annual physical?

No. I only drive truck part time in the fall during harvest season and my other "job" does not require a physical or any testing of any sort

**DAAS** · 03-27-2014, 11:10 PM

IM a type 1 diabetic so military is out. I would have joined years ago if i could. I don't think college is for me. Not only do I see it as a scam but also a financial impossibility. Im working on a few project/inventions, and hopefully start my own business if I cant find my place in the work force. Im 25 so its on my mind 24/7. I need to get the ball rolling in some direction. Its difficult to figure out which.

Originally Posted by ppwc1985

No I'm late 40's so I'm gonna do this a few more years then retire to Philippines. Yes high winds can be a problem, mostly with vans and empty. But I seen trucks go over in Ohio and Wisconsin, I about went over than went a few more miles and pulled it over. It's not worth dying over. Till you get to know how to drive which takes a good three years at least, there are a lot things that can scare you. Hills, black ice, animals, and people in cars who don't know or care how their driving. But if your a sensible, smart young guy or gal you should be ok. If you have no common sense, please stay out of a truck. Lool. If you need any advice or anything just pm me, maybe I can help. If your young, you need to just go to college. Just my 2cents. That's my advice, or join the military. Good luck!

**slfmade** · 03-27-2014, 11:16 PM

I don't have a CDL, but my business used to have a 24' box truck. I just about tipped it on a bridge in L.A. once. It scared the shit out of me. I could never be a trucker. Shitty drivers and joiners piss me off like nothing else just driving a regular car. I'd probably run over the first person that wouldn't let me move over. LOL

**songdog** · 03-30-2014, 08:40 AM

Had one for over 20yrs and had to give it up due to a injury.#1 tip never never drive over the road.They make it sound soo good.But its a lie.Oil company jobs are good.There are many popping up around here.You will be held to a higher standard while you have that CDL.This don't matter if you are driving a truck or your car.There are some good trucking schools around.I suggest you check them out.There is a lot more to driving a truck than just going down the road.Good luck.

**DAAS** · 03-30-2014, 04:59 PM

over the road?

Originally Posted by songdog

Had one for over 20yrs and had to give it up due to a injury.#1 tip never never drive over the road.They make it sound soo good.But its a lie.Oil company jobs are good.There are many popping up around here.You will be held to a higher standard while you have that CDL.This don't matter if you are driving a truck or your car.There are some good trucking schools around.I suggest you check them out.There is a lot more to driving a truck than just going down the road.Good luck.

**ppwc1985** · 03-30-2014, 05:49 PM

It means in most instances you will drive all 48 states, or regional. Some company's just do the east or west. You stay out and don't go home at night. You live in your truck. Some guys like it, I did just for my first three years, I needed to be by myself after getting out of military. The one thing is you will see a good part of the country. I hit all 48 states in 3 years, seen so really nice places. But like songdog said, it's very strict out there. Most accidents whether your fault or not will go against you because you are held to higher standards. The medical standards are getting very strict too. Plus you don't get paid overtime unless you are paid hourly which is rare. The best company's to work for are those that pay a percentage of what the trucks make. Just start your own business that is the best thing to do, lol

**songdog** · 03-30-2014, 09:46 PM

Originally Posted by DAAS

over the road?

over the road cross country.

**lovbyts** · 03-30-2014, 10:11 PM

Hey are you looking for a big rig to buy also? I might be able to hook you up. A co worker has a truck he just got back due to (long story) and the interior is a little rough but it has a NEW engine. 20K worth of engine with warranty and I think he is looking for around 35K or less for the truck. Let me know via PM if your interested and I can hook you up with him for details.

I have a buddy who drives truck (not my co worker) who has been driving for years. He has had a few accidents. Woke up in the middle of a elementary school playground one time. Luckily it was a Sunday and no kids around. I know he has bumped a few cars and other minor things before his truck burned to the ground with all his belongings, paperwork, clothes and most everything a couple of years ago due to some wiring he did himself. No insurance. Truck was not paid for, bought by his parents.

He has some sleeping disorder. We use to do some funny stuff to him when he would pass out at parties, not due to drinking.

Once when I was riding with him we were about 2 miles from home at 2am and i asked him if he was doing OK. He said yes. I got more comfortable sliding down in the seat and putting my knees on the dash and as I looked up I saw we were headed straight towards a telephone pole. I said SHIT and saw his head pop up just as we hit it dead center. The car bounced and we continued down the road with the hood up.

I directed him to the shoulder looking under the hood and coasted to a stop. Got out and looked at the car. We hit dead center. I was like WTF, how did we not die? It was an OLD Oldmobile with a BIG bumper. We walked back to the telephone pole and and there was a 1ft section sticking out of the ground, a 6ft section laying in the road I moved to the side and the rest still hanging by the wires. Lucky for us it snapped.

Guess what he did 6 weeks later? His parents bought him the exact same type of car and believe it or not he hit the telephone poll 3 down from that one doing the exact same thing except this time the line broke and caused a power outage. Yeah I stopped riding with him. I was not with him the 2nd time either.