Am i classed as inexperienced ?????

[Stuart]

As an English trucker looking to move to the states I see on most job adds pay is based on experience amongst other things ,I have had a class 1 licence(class A I believe in the states?) for 2 years, does this mean I can claim this in a job interview or am I classed as a NEWBIE! as I have not worked on US roads in US trucks and what have you? would I be required to start on wages as someone who has just passed or is my experience taken into consideration?

I'm sorry if no one can help me but this seems like a good place to start..

Thanks,

Stuart.

[Twilight Flyer]

I don't know of any companies that will use foreign experience as experience. You may be able to drive the truck, but experience includes dealing with American roads. So unfortunately, the answer to that would be that you would be classified as a newbie.

[Stuart]

so does it go much against you as a newbie? or does it just mean you start on less money? get older truck?

Thanks for the reply BTW.

[Twilight Flyer]

Pretty much means that you are limited to starting out with some of the bigger training companies at the low part of the pay totem pole.

[Stuart]

Sorry for all the questions, Is progression made by how well you do in the job or how long you do it, i mean even though they don't look at my experience, its there still and i will be more able as someone who has just aquired a licence ? does this make sense ?

[Twilight Flyer]

Honestly, while the company might have ability-based evaluations, most other companies look at the years of service before they hire. For example, our company requires 1 year of experience. Even if you went to Swift and passed training early and with flying colors and were better than any other trainees they had, we'd still have to have that year. So that's likely what you'll run into the most.

[Stuart]

Thanks for the help, do you have any suggestions as to the road i could take to make the switch seem hassle free?

I presume I'm not required to take another test as i have the class licence anyway am i?

[homer]

cretecarriers.com advertises 43 cpm for all drivers in the 48 state fleet. ive read here that they requre 3 months experience.
throughout my career, drivers have always said good things about them.you might qualify with two years !
if they are interested you would at least have to team with a pro and learn our procedures. we have bunk beds in our trucks one stacked above the other.
i was at a paper mill on vancouver island and a bunch of people from the uk where working there. they were clowning around having fun and the canadian guy kept frowning and he looked me 3 times and said theyre are english from london

[Stuart]

Thanks for the reply, its worth a look, most trucks here now have twin bunks ,as EU rules require trucks to have high top cabs so you can stand up in them. I suppose with you all driving bull nose trucks you have nice big trucks which is a big appeal for me , but were restricted over here to cabover types.

[GMAN]

Most carriers in the U.S. have trucks with hoods. There are still plenty of cabovers, mostly on the West Coast. I have spoken to drivers who were with J.B. Hunt, one of the largest U.S. carriers, who went to trucks that had hoods after several years with a cabover. According to these drivers, it took some adjusting to have the extra hood out front.

[Stuart]

I'll bear that in mind, i guess with bigger wider roads the compromise is very small compared to over here where we have narrow busier roads, and i guess its pretty much only units that are bigger am i right in saying your average trailer is 45-48ft? which is what we use, i know you have some 53ft but surely these are few and far between?

[Mackman]

there is alot of 53 footers on the road here in the U.S.

[jnk2001]

there is alot of 53 footers on the road here in the U.S.

A lot of 53 footers with sliding axles. California has the 40 foot rule. That's why you'll need to go with a trainer, so you'll know these rules.

[Riddler]

Stuart....I am also from England and had a class 1 but it doesn`t count for anything in the US, "because we drive on the wrong side of the road" the DMV (dept of motor vehicles) told me LOL .. but your experience might count for something depending on the company. I got REAL lucky getting my job I found a company through a friend that would take me on with just a learners permit, put me through my test with no cost to me. Ive been there 2 years now and love love love it. Getting the License I would say is a bit easier than In England especially with your experience, oh yeah be ready to learn to double clutch again.
Good luck to ya..

[GMAN]

There are probably more 53' vans in the U.S. but seem to be more 48' flats. There are also some 57' trailers, but those are not legal in all states without permits. If you pull a van in the U.S. it will likely be a 53', although there are still some 48' vans around. Most reefers are 48', but there are a lot of 53' reefers.

[geeshock]

there is alot of 53 footers on the road here in the U.S.

A lot of 53 footers with sliding axles. California has the 47 foot rule. That's why you'll need to go with a trainer, so you'll know these rules.

47 foot rule, thought it was the 40 ft bridge rule.

[jnk2001]

there is alot of 53 footers on the road here in the U.S.

A lot of 53 footers with sliding axles. California has the 47 foot rule. That's why you'll need to go with a trainer, so you'll know these rules.

47 foot rule, thought it was the 40 ft bridge rule.

My bad, you're right. been awhile since I drove a 53 foot trailer in CA. I try to avoid Ca...

Here it is:
Semi-trailer = over 48', but 53' max
KPRA = 40' max (if 2 or more axles)
Combination length = no limit

[geeshock]

lol, ok, just makeing sure there wasn't a rule I overlooked, one thing is most states have the same law in effect but few actualy enforce it. Ca on the other hand enforce those rules to the t.

[jnk2001]

lol, ok, just makeing sure there wasn't a rule I overlooked, one thing is most states have the same law in effect but few actualy enforce it. Ca on the other hand enforce those rules to the t.

there's a reason for that...I forgot to slide my axles once in LA and let's just say, it wasn't pretty...

[DieselDog]

My thought on this is why take a chance of setting yourself up for failure. After all, going on almost 30 years of driving in this country means diddly squat when I go to another country let alone that drives on opposite sides of the road. Do yourself a favor, be patient, swallow your pride and get the training you need to be familiar with our regulations, road rules, and the driving conditions and street layouts we have here. Your experience will definitely give you an advantage. Best luck to you..Welcome aboard.