Getting Started. Advice Please. Out of Las Vegas, NV

[cheri1122]

I wouldn't pay $12.50 for the training, myself, because you don't need a passenger endorsement, but you do need to learn to drive a manual transmission. Especially if the plan is to drive for an owner - what if the truck he has available is a manual? I understand how you feel, as I have traumatic arthritis in one knee, and prefer to drive an automatic, but if it's not available, I'm not sitting around waiting for one.
Maybe a fleet owner would be willing to teach you about docking & logging, but I seriously doubt it - they are generally busy people, with a business to run, and they prefer to choose drivers who can 'hit the ground running', right?
I'd keep looking till I found a school that teaches [or another way to learn] what I need to know, and not what I don't.
PS You can teach yourself logging: pick up a logbook [cheap!] at a truckstop, the rules are on every one. Also get a Motor Carriers Atlas [not so cheap, but tax deductible, and absolutely essential to a truck driver], and practice logging pretend loads from here to there. Don't forget to include a pretrip inspection & all fuel stops, plus the mandatory 30 min rest after 8 hrs of driving.
Speaking of pretrip inspections, how on earth do you do one, if you only ever learned to drive a bus?!

 

[rymilburn]

Hi there-

I'm planning on going through Expediters Services as recommended by most on here for new drivers. They said all of there straight trucks are auto's so it won't make a difference. I'm not to crazy driving a passenger bus...but there doesn't seem to be to many options for school's here in Las Vegas. I wouldn't mind driving a manual....but my girlfriend won't go for it...I already know. So i'm sticking with the Automatic.....and Thanks for the tip on the log book...I think I will pick one up tomorrow and teach myself.

You can do a pre-trip inspection on a bus...of course it would be different on a Straight Truck....I guess these are things I have to teach myself?? Ha. Thanks again!

 

[cheri1122]

Well, here's hoping that Expediters Services and the girlfriend work out over the long term, because you won't have many options if they don't - just sayin.

 

[rymilburn]

I sure hope so. Most Straight Trucks I see now days in the Ad's are Auto's. Although it is Vegas, if Expediting doesn't work out i'm sure I wouldn't have a problem finding something out here.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[zorry]

The thirty minute break that Cheri spoke of isn't in use yet. Don't be concerned about it yet.

ES will have Electronic logs which will teach you if you understand a few basic rules. Pretty hard to make a mistake with them.

Maybe ES can recommend a school.
Surprised that don't run one.

 

[xmudman]

I wouldn't pay $12.50 for the training, myself, because you don't need a passenger endorsement, but you do need to learn to drive a manual transmission. Especially if the plan is to drive for an owner - what if the truck he has available is a manual? I understand how you feel, as I have traumatic arthritis in one knee, and prefer to drive an automatic, but if it's not available, I'm not sitting around waiting for one.
Maybe a fleet owner would be willing to teach you about docking & logging, but I seriously doubt it - they are generally busy people, with a business to run, and they prefer to choose drivers who can 'hit the ground running', right?
I'd keep looking till I found a school that teaches [or another way to learn] what I need to know, and not what I don't.
PS You can teach yourself logging: pick up a logbook [cheap!] at a truckstop, the rules are on every one. Also get a Motor Carriers Atlas [not so cheap, but tax deductible, and absolutely essential to a truck driver], and practice logging pretend loads from here to there. Don't forget to include a pretrip inspection & all fuel stops, plus the mandatory 30 min rest after 8 hrs of driving.
Speaking of pretrip inspections, how on earth do you do one, if you only ever learned to drive a bus?!

Cheri's idea of "pretend logging" is a good one, but I'd do a real pretrip. Even on a car, the essentials would be the same, the practice would help significantly, and you'd end up with a safer car if you follow up the problems. Good luck!