Team Driving
 

I've had my Class A, CDL License for 13 months now. I drive locally in Florida and have no OTR experience. In two years, my wife and I plan on becoming Team Drivers. Of course she would have her Permit, but will need to get licensed. How does she go about doing this without us being separated during her training? Any suggestions? What companies would take us?

Look for a company that would allow you to train your spouse. You may have to work for them for 6 months to a year before they would allow you to do it, but it is something to think about.

CRST Van Expeditied will allow you to train your spouse. YOU will have to have 6 mo. OTR experience between the months of Oct-Mar and take their trainer orientation class. www.joincrst.com

Interstate Distributor Co. will train teams together... you can check out their website: www.drive4us.com and www.intd.com
From what I heard they are a reputable company to work for too. They have auto transmissions. BOL

Being separated during training would be a good thing, otherwise, you'll always treat her like a student. You may always act like a trainer and not respect her judgement. You'll bring up old mistakes made during the training period like they just happened. When I drove a team with my Dad, he was a trainer. He didn't train me, but sometimes he acted like he did, or like I was in training. I learned from him and he certainly is knowledgeable, but it got on my nerves. I would think that by training seperately that it would keep peace in your relationship.

Having a relative train you
 

If given the choice to train with someone I know as compared to some of the unprofessional trainers spoken about on this site, no brainer, stick with what you know. Having someone get on your nerves doesn't compare to being stuck in a stinky truck with someone that doesn't train me correctly.

I am going to be trained by my husband and I look forward to it. Even if he harps on some past mistakes it will be worth the piece of mind to be with someone that loves and cares about me.

God's best to you newbies out there. I am so looking forward to the adventure.:clap:

Many companies won't accept that type of training, MommaDee.

I had not thought of it before. The companies that allow a person to train a spouse actually get a bonus. Most companies will not hire a driver that has been trained in that manner, until they have a year or more experience. So, while you have a six month commitment, you won't be able to go anywhere else for a year... At least. It's as close a guarantee as they can get that they will have you for at least a year. So, for a company that has a retention problem, it would make sense.

Team driving sucks. I wouldnt imagine being stuck with my spouse all damn day in a 8 foot box.

Swift will allow you to train your spouse if you have 6 months of verifiable OTR experience. You will have to go through the same classroom training that anyother 'mentor' would go through.

We were trying to do this, but several things got in the way. As it turned out a "regular" mentor did her training.

A good point was made, that if you train her, either one of you or both of you might not be able to transition from the trainer / student mentallity.

As far as being in an 8 foot box with a spouse, yes there are times you want to find a nice wide spot in the road and kick them out or just conviently "forget" them somewhere. Other than that, for me it's been a mixed bag blessing.