CDL Learners permit? DOT Physical.
 

Hi.. Im not even a "newbie" yet I guess that makes me a "wannabe". The trucking company I intend to initiate school with is "Interstate Dist. Co." They have told me that before I attend school I must obtain a learners permit from my home state by going to the DMV and studying the booklet and taking the test. Just wondering, but it is a 144 page booklet with seemingly all the information I would think I would go to school to learn... In other words, putting the cart before the horse so to speak. Is this normal? And as well, have required that I obtain a DOT physical before I start class... Can anyone tell me where I can obtain one.
Thanks, TERMAGANT

The cdl booklet is state laws and the tip of the iceberg so to speak. It's a continual learning experience through school, trainer at company and on your own in the real world.You can get a DOT physical at any walk in clinic or dr's office that offers the service. Just have to call around because not every Dr offers them. BOL

[The cdl booklet is state laws and the tip of the iceberg so to speak. It's a continual learning experience through school, trainer at company and on your own in the real world.You can get a DOT physical at any walk in clinic or dr's office that offers the service. Just have to call around because not every Dr offers them. BOL]

Thank U for the reply Kurbski, "...tip of the iceberg" seems a good analogy the more I look into this venture I am about to embark on, the more I realize it's not just a matter of getting in a truck and driving...
I will endevor to persevere...So much information so little time...Another thing I wanted to ask is if you or anyone else has any feedback on "Interstate Dist Co." as far as trucking co.'s go... Seem a litte more up front and personal than Swift, CRST... Pay more too... any opinions?
Thanks again Kurbski[/quote]

Have you ever bought some kids toy that needed assembly or some piece of ready to assemble furniture. You can read the directions all day long but when you sit down to actually put the thing together you find that it is somewhat different than what the printed material led you to believe.

Well truck driving is a lot like that. :wink:

As far as the learners permit, you will need it to drive the trucks while in school....also, you might give the company a call and see if they have any dr's in your area that they use for physicals or ask your own dr if he does DOT physicals...

Where I live they allow you to take the learners test once per day with no strikes. If they allow that there I would suggest taking the test once just to get a feel for what they will look for. Even if you fail it shouldn't count against you.

Most of the questions on my state's test are really common knowledge and basic truck stuff - not overly difficult at all. Our booklet is also 150+ pages, but 90+ of those pages were Hazmat, Passenger, Tanker, and doubles - none of which you need to be concerned with BEFORE getting your CDL.

CDL Learners permit? DOT Physical.
 

{Have you ever bought some kids toy that needed assembly or some piece of ready to assemble furniture. You can read the directions all day long but when you sit down to actually put the thing together you find that it is somewhat different than what the printed material led you to believe.}


LOL...Another good analogy...Certainly a good defense for not reading the directions... In this case I'm gonna hafta take a stab at them though, just to get the frame up, I'll add some nuts and bolts as I go along...
Thanks for the humorous advise Uturn
[/quote]

Wow thanks for the heads up Bonkers! I will check on that here in CA. It's a relief to know this... It seemed so overwhelming to me... Now thanks to you guys, not so much... You people are a godsend... With your help I might even make it!!
Thanks Bonkers

Interstate is a good company. Most of their runs are west coast but they are starting to get more freight in the east and south. Good comapny to start with.

this site has some practice tests online. its free so try it
http://www.dmv.org/ga-georgia/practice-tests.php

I've been driving 30 years and I still missed 2 :oops:

I was just going to suggest taking an online pratice test when I saw this post. The online tests really helped me out a lot;... so much, that I almost felt guilty of cheating. When I went to take the test at the SP station, some of the questions were almost identical to those on the online test. :D :D

I was just going to suggest taking an online pratice test when I saw this post. The online tests really helped me out a lot;... so much, that I almost felt guilty of cheating. When I went to take the test at the SP station, some of the questions were almost identical to those on the online test.

Hey Douglas... NICE TRUCK!!! I WANT ONE JUST LIKE THAT!! U are right about the tests... I scored 72% off the cuff on the Georgia link Bonkers sent me, then I tried California (where I'm located) and scored 92%, and a third state scored 100%!!! Unfortunately they are all pretty much the same questions... If they ask me those questions I'll have it aced... most of it's common sense stuff anyway... I'm startin' to think I can do this...
Thanks, TERMAGANT

CDL Learners permit? DOT Physical.
 

{Interstate is a good company. Most of their runs are west coast but they are starting to get more freight in the east and south. Good comapny to start with.}

Support Fred Thompson for President 2008!

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Thanks Greg...
You have confirmed my feelings... I have checked into alot of them and they are no nonsense, up front and fair... Don't strike me as being so mill like... I am on the west coast but doesn't matter I intend to keep driving as long and as far as they will let me... I don't care about home time.
And by the way...Fred Thompson is my choice too... Hope he gets in soon...
TERMAGANT

POLITICAL CORRECTNESS:
Means always having to say you're sorry[/quote]

Freedog wrote:

this site has some practice tests online. its free so try it
http://www.dmv.org/ga-georgia/practice-tests.php

Thanks sooooo much Freedog... I took the test you sent me from Georgia, without studying I scored 72%, took CA's test (my home state) and scored 92%, took a third test and scored 100%. You helped lower my anxiety level 100% ..... Thanks... (sorry, I gave Bonkers the credit for the site YOU sent me... I am getting used to messaging here...)

TERMAGANT

I've been with Interstate since april and it's been a great company. They do take care of their drivers as far as facilities and pay, but as with the whole trucking business so far I've seen, the freight is here and there and you're either there or here. The company will put you otr with local and long haul trainers until you're ready. I had 1 week local and 5 1/2 agonizing weeks with a jerk. That was just his personality. i went solo for 6 weeks and then my brother signed on and we've been a team since. The miles could be better, but that's just the way it is right now. We've been averaging 4,500 a week.

[I've been with Interstate since april and it's been a great company. They do take care of their drivers as far as facilities and pay, but as with the whole trucking business so far I've seen, the freight is here and there and you're either there or here. The company will put you otr with local and long haul trainers until you're ready. I had 1 week local and 5 1/2 agonizing weeks with a jerk. That was just his personality. i went solo for 6 weeks and then my brother signed on and we've been a team since. The miles could be better, but that's just the way it is right now. We've been averaging 4,500 a week.]

Thanks for the feedback Lunker...
I guess "you pays yo dolla you takes yo chances" with all of 'em to a degree.. I am limited to working with those that will put me through school. Interstate has impressed me most so far, as well they allow teams to train together, none of the others do... I intend to go through school with a friend of mine and it's a plus to be able to go out with a trainer together...Especially if we get a "jerk" like you did. At least we will have each other to vent to...lol.

Thanks again Lunker[/quote]

You must be going to the Tucumcari school? You'll need the permit first and you'll go straight on the road. One thing to consider, almost all of IDC's trucks are autoshift with or without a clutch pedal. You won't get any shifting experience, but you'll have a lot less to worry about while learning to drive. I currently have no clutch pedal and simple love it when stuck in traffic. It takes a little getting used to, but easier on the leg and knee (which I had major patella reconstruction done to) and you have to power brake on the uphills. If you have a pet, IDC also allows them after paying a deposit. Most other companies say no pets.