cdl-C question

[gregmcclain911]

Maybe someone out there can tell me. I just had an o/o call me and we were speaking about my license.
I told him all I had was a chauffeurs license here in Indiana. He told me that was the same as a CDL-C license and all I would have to do is go to the license branch and 'convert' it to a CDL-C.
What?
The branches are closed at this time of night so if anyone knows the REAL answer let me know - I think the guy is confused. He added I would have to pass a physical DOT, etc.
What?

 

[RichM]

To drive a Commercial vehicle you need to have a DOT Physical and a Medical Card. Usually unless you have a problem the card will be issued for 2 years.Also many carriers will want you to take and pass a drug test.
You seem to be suprised that these items are required to drive a commercial vehicle. As leo pointed out today on the Newbies forum there is a wealth of information available both on EO andother sites. Best to spend some time reviewing your qualifications and committments.

 

[Doggie Daddy]

Rich he doesn't have time for that,he has to drive NOW,ASAP,IMMEDIATLY. Haven't you been keeping up with the story. :7

 

[gregmcclain911]

It is nice to know that when a newbie has a question, a serious question like this, you have to be a jackass about it.
I do not have a problem with dedication to my job - I owned the largest security company in the area for 14-years - so do not tell me about dedication.
The license branch is closed (you know they are not 24-hours) so I thought maybe I could get some guidance here.
Ok, fine, I will sit here on my hands, do all this massive research, take two months or so to study to get my CDL-A or B, drain my savings account rather than go drive a cargo van and make a little money while still studying, etc.
Sorry to be such a frickin burden!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[cheri1122]

What the guys are telling you is that your questions make it clear that you don't have the most basic knowledge of, or qualification for, the job that you are trying to get. In a hurry, no less. The people who can survive flying by the seat of the pants are few & far between - the rest of us need to learn, & study, & listen, & practice, to avoid a horrible crash. And we don't do it in a matter of days, is the message. Accept it or reject it - your choice.

 

[LDB]

Greg, your posts have suggested some urgency and now someone has ribbed you a little about it. If mild kidding pushes your buttons that much you may want to rethink expediting because that's less than the amount of grief you can look forward to at some shippers and consignees. Nobody is suggesting you just sit there and burn your savings. I specifically suggested you find a job for now to make some money while you put this all together. Delivering pizzas or restocking a Walmart overnight would bring in some money and leave your days free to get your CDL. Patience appears to not be your strongest point. It's very important in this business though. Help, if you take it that way, otherwise just wasted typing.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5507, 5508, 5509
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
----------
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

 

[gregmcclain911]

Wrong!
The questions I ask should make it clear I was seeking guidance -NOT- that I lacked basic knowledge of the job.
Afterall, the job I want at this time is simply driving a cargo van - my LONG RANGE goal is to obtain my CDL and then go into a larger vehicle.
Now, I believe you and the other guys who answered here, I will assume are fairly smart - so my question is why is my questions so hard to understand and why is it you people seem to be so down about someone wanting to have a short term goal for now and develop the skills and knowledge to obtain and reach long term goals.
After running my own company for 14-years I can tell you that you should have short term goals that develop and allow you to reach your long term goals.
WHY IS DRIVING A CARGO VAN WHILE STUDYING TO OBTAIN A CDL TO DRIVE A LARGER TRUCK ANY DIFFERENT?
Now I will await input and crawl back into my 45-year old single wide trailer and drink my Falstaff beer you all most think I do.

 

[gregmcclain911]

PS- I have sit for days on survillance cases in a little Ford sub compact, so I have plenty of patience.
I even have a sense of humor. I just do not think this bs sense of attack on me wanting to start small and build into something larger is the least bit funny.
But just to show that I can laugh, giggle giggle giggle!

 

[cheri1122]

OBTAINING A CDL IS NOT A LONG OR SHORT TERM GOAL IN THIS JOB - IT IS A STARTING POINT!!

 

[Doggie Daddy]

Greg,please slow down and take a deep breath.What LDB said is good advice.You are really like a dog on a bone on this and really things just don't move that quickly.As i told you in another one of your posts your wording seems to suggest that you just want to drive someones van for a very short time and then get your CDL and move on to the bigger trucks.You said that no you wouldn't do that,but now you are saying that that's exactly what you will do.

You are becoming your own worst enemy by sending out all these mixed signals on the forum here.And as far as "massive research"I believe the answer to your latest question can be found here.http://www.in.gov/bmv/driverlicense/ research time: less than 2 minutes.

And also what LDB said the light ribbing that you will get here on EO is nothing compared to what you will experience out in the real world.

 

[RichM]

It's been a long time since I have seen a can of Falstaff beer or Carling Black Label,Piels, Naragansett,Rheingold, Jax. Schaeffer,Ballantine and the list goes on.

As the other guys said,if you are going to get uptight this business is not for you. Your patience gets tried every day and if you have a short fuse you will burn out fast.

 

[greg334]

Greg,

I am not going to BS you or mess with you.

First thing is that a chauffeur’s license will only be good for a company that is based in the state you live in. This comes from a very good source and confirmed. I was in the same situation last year this time and only could run with a company based out of Michigan.

Second is that I went through a horrible time financially and barely got it together but did. If you have a savings, plan everything out carefully. Remember that it will take money to make money and getting a CDL will take money. It took $400, rental truck and license fees, oh and lunch for me. It took me longer than I thought it would but I also was running as hard as I could to make money to pay the bills to prevent me from taking money out of bank that was there for the slow season.

Third, be patient – this is a really boring business to get into if you are not prepared. In addition I have to say that things don’t happen overnight, especially selecting an owner to drive for. Picking an owner is really important and can make or break you or at least ruin your experience.

Fourth yes you will have to go through a DOT physical and drug screen. No biggie unless you have something to hide. My last one was 45 minutes long but my first one I had to teach the doctor what needed to be done and it took 2 hours.

Fifth remember that a lot of what we have to put up with to qualify to drive is driven by the insurance companies, not the DOT.

Sixth remember that everyone here (most I should say) want to see people succeed not fail and if they joke around, it is not personal. You will have to deal with some real idiots out there and at customers sites, so it is better not to worry about it at all.

 

[gregmcclain911]

PATIENCE - I have plenty of it.
Ran the largest security company for 14-years.
Former state trooper.
US Army.
I have PATIENCE - watch how long it takes me to post another message or question!
Sorry that my questions seemed to come across as a panic 911 call - urgent - rush - hurry - now!
Maybe next time I should say something like:
49-year old white male, college educated, US Army vet, with expediting experience seeks driver job with o/o. Take your time in calling me, no hurry, I am just sitting here waiting for someone to find and call me.


* Remember - my humor giggle giggle giggle

 

[kwexpress]

KW Express
o/o till i die

the cdl test that you will need to take will consist of 10 minutes study time.

go into the licence branch get a cdl book have them circl th chapters you will need to study.read it twice sit down and take the test.

your talking about a cargo van you dont even need an air brake.you may need a haz-mat depending on carrier .

you can take the test in segments so study the section on basic knowledge then take that test.

it worked for me I never read the book its basicaly common sence.
I just scanned the sections and took the test.

everyone will want you to get a dot physical.its the law
we dont want people out here that are color blind or have a medical condition that may cause them to pass out or something.

I live close to evansville,IN and if your close to there or dont mind coming here to take your test I will hook you up with a truck to take the drive and would be more than happy to help you with pre-trip and all that jazz.keep calm its not the end of the world.

 

[JohnMueller]

Greg;

All of the folks at EO are here to help you. I will personally assist you if need be. The posts I see are from folks attempting to help you. You will find your skin thickens as your career in trucking proceeds.

I'll gladly give you clarification on the issue here at hand.

An operator's license is what the typical driver of a four-wheeler has.

Chaffeur's licenses are a slight step above an operator's license - basically a simple 15 question written test to make you aware of some commercial operations.

CDL-C licenses are nothing more than an operator's license with a hazmat endorsement.

CDL-B licenses are required when the vehicle you are operating has a GVW of 26,001 lb or more; or three (3) axles or more. Most of the 22' to 24' straight trucks you see expediters use require a CDL B.

CDL-A licenses are required when operating a combination vehicle (tractor trailer) where the GVW of the trailer is greater than 10,000 lbs.

Hazmat endorsements are required when you will be transporting "placcardable" quantities of any hazardous material.

The company you are attempting to qualify with may have their own policies - such as requiring operators of vans posess at least a chaffeur's license or CDL C. Your state, such as Michigan or Indiana, may require operators of commercial cargo vans (ones displaying company signs) to posess a chaffeur's license. Again, the chaffeur's license is basically a written test only. You can usually obtain a CDL study guide from your BMV, read a few pages and pass the Chaffeurs test.

Feel free to PM me if you need additional assistance. Again, these folks on EO are attempting to help you. They are actually trying to keep you from failing.

Thanks,
HotFr8Recruiter

 

[cheri1122]

Greg: I apologize for yelling - when it comes to moderating, I'm working under a learner's permit, and haven't mastered the endless patience that most of them display. I am working on that.
The trigger for my outburst was this: you say, in post 12, that you have experience expediting, but you don't know about the various classes of drivers' licenses. Because you can say you are anyone or anything on a message forum, we have to make a judgement call on the veracity of the people posting, particularly the newer ones.
Knowing nothing more about you than your first post, asking for help, I sent you, privately, the name of an owner looking for drivers, because we are here to help where we can. If you want more help, being specific, and polite, will get you more help. Being sarcastic & snide will get me yelling at you, at least until I become the mod I want to be when I grow up.

 

[tec1959]

Greg Hi I just thought I'd say the same as everyone here on the site,They are here to help you an every NEWBIE that comes here for Information and answers to their questions.But I do have to say also you have given off alot of different signals In your post,Please slow down and let these folks help.On this site there's maybe 150 years or more of expedting Information and help.....So welcome aboard and good luck.....

 

[Stringbean]

Greg,

I am still very, very new at this and know very little, and as I get older find out some of what I thought I knew, I don't really know!!

Figure that one out!!

I spent ALOT of time reading the information on here. 99.9% of the information has been a GREAT help to me. I followed it. I didn't spend alot of time writing, and still dont. Don't let this become the "late night CB" for you.

Here's something that you might try. Please, it is only a suggestion. Look in your phone book and see if there are any of those "rent to own" type businesses in your area. Most of them have small, local delivery trucks. Class C trucks or vans. They often hire and pay by the hour. You could get some REALLY good experience at driving, backing, loading, securing, etc... You could probably get started into this very easily and then go for your CDL. Yes you will have to do some studying. It took me more than reading it through once or twice. But passed it all with flying colors. Got the full ticket.

Also in my area of the country there are companies that hire agriculture "seasonal" drivers. In our area these are straight trucks. Many of them are large Class 8 trucks. You can get alot of really good experience in those as well, but again, there will be some work, study and test's to qualify. That's all that's being said here, the CDL, physical, etc are just tools for job. Just like a carpenter needs a hammer and saw, etc... But this can be a great spring-board to other things while helping you move forward toward your goals and dreams.

From a little no-body that just wanted to offer some words that I hope will help.

Peace and Blessings,
Stringbean

 

[Axis714]

And as you will notice, A simple question posed to a professional driver will ALWAYS be over analyzed and Never agreed upon. So, in short, without babbling incessantly.Theres a difference between INTRA and INTER state commerce. Your question has already been answered. You can drive professionally with your chauffers license inside your state only. You fall under federal CDL guidelines when you cross the state line.