Norwegian trucker who needs advice:)

[shortyboy]

Hi fellow truckers

I need some advice about working in the US as a driver with things like work permits and getting work. And of course how much you earn in a month. I`m a singel guy with no attachments to home so i really want to come over to work.

I have lots of experience with driving different types of loads including industial machines and stuff like that. Ofcourse lots of salmon, trout and cod as i`m norwegian


Got any advice?

All the best,
Shorty

[aztrucker]

Hey Shorty,
I would call the American Counsulate office in your area or in the usa..I have met a few UK drivers out here that work here leaglly. They come for 6 months at a time. As far as pay I make .40 mile and get anywhere from 2800-3400 miles a week. $1200.00 to $1400.00 US Gross. Good luck....PS There hurting for drivers here, big time...

[Uturn2001]

The best advice I can give you is to contact the US embassy/consulate and ask for immigration. They can answer any and all your questions.

The short version though is that once you immigrate to the US you will need to obtain a basic driver's license and then attend a truck driving school here in the states. Upon completion of the school you will the take a skills test and when you pass that you will be issued a Commercial Drivers License (CDL).

Next you will spend approximately 6 weeks with a trainer learning everything they did not teach you at the truck driving school. When that is done you will be assigned your own truck.

One problem you may have though is that many companies want to see at least one year of a driving history here in the USA,(some companies will count Canadian experience) so it may take that long before any company will give you a job as a truck driver.

[shortyboy]

What kind of taxes do you guys pay out of 1200-1400 USD then? Approx of course Is it worth the effort?
I`ll contact them and see what they say for sure, small dream i have this. Not sure i understand your regulations yet though. What kind of loads are you guys getting? "Port to port" or lots of stops dropping pallets everywhere?

And the trucks you guys drive, love them!

[Uturn2001]

At most companies, as single person, with health insurance, can expect to pay out between 25 and 30% of income each paycheck. Depending on an individuals exact tax situation you should get a portion of that back when you file your taxes at the end of the year.

As far as freight goes it just depends on the company you go with and the type of trailer you pull.

[shortyboy]

Just read your post Uturn. Ouch, that`s one hell of a process. I thought my driving licence here would be enough. Norway is one of the most regulated countries in the world on this i would think. In my early years driving small lorries i actually had to attend a class and get a certificate using the lift at the back. Gees, most boring 6 hours of my life.

Anyway, great tips and i`ll contact them here and hear what they have to say.

[aztrucker]

$1200.00- take home $950.00
$1400.00- take home 1050.00
As for your other question..It all depends on who you work for....yes coast to coast and milk runs...

[geomon]

yes coast to coast and milk runs...

He's gonna think you drive a milk truck coast to coast... :P

Shortyboy...a "milk run" is american slang for easy type trips.

[shortyboy]

Good thing you cleared that up cause i actually pictured one big ass truck of milk

I think it`s so strange being payed by the mile though. We are mostly payed by the day, some day payed + % of freight price and some get payed by the trip.
I`ll keep up the research on the issue, meanwhile i`ll keep bugging you guys for info :twisted:

[wot i life]

Cod Haddock and Salmon? You haul fash? I haul fash now. Fash frae the fairms. Fash fairms. Trout n salmon.
Good luck to you fish boy. You can drive! Places where fish are loaded are generally ****e access. Yi got what it takes lad. Yi got what it takes.

[shortyboy]

eh, ok. Didn`t get half of that even

Norway is just one big rollercoaster so it`s actually quite interesting to drive here. Anyway, would like to see the US though. Always more interesting to see other places then where your from

[continental]

Hey, Shortstack.
I'm just collecting info on how to get a dl over there.
I can tell you one thing, over here is much easier.
If you got one there, getting this one will be nothing.
The work visa will be harder. It's easier for me, I'm also a citizen of the EU.
I just want something new. You know, sleeping in a coffin,
spending a 4 day weekend in a small village
without shower or anything. Isn't that romantic?
I'll trade jobs with you, but I'll take nothing less than an Actros
In return, you can drive my pos Freightliner.
Deal?

[shortyboy]

Hmmm.... Got an Actros ready for you here. It`s tuned up to about 600 too She runs like a little princess

[Fredog]

Good thing you cleared that up cause i actually pictured one big ass truck of milk

I think it`s so strange being payed by the mile though. We are mostly payed by the day, some day payed + % of freight price and some get payed by the trip.
I`ll keep up the research on the issue, meanwhile i`ll keep bugging you guys for info :twisted:

lots of states have a state income tax also, I would try to move to one that doesnt