Looking 2 Drive!

JBird

Expert Expediter
I have been looking to team up with my father to drive a straight truck. We already have the truck from an O/O, it's a 2003 FL M2 Business Class with a 22ft box and an 84" Sleeper. The o/o was going to sign it on w/ Panther II, but they would NOT accept me because of my DUI on my record which is 5 yrs. old. They said it had to be at least 7 yrs or older, but they would accept me as a permitted driver with my father who has had his CDL B for some time. Now, I DO NOT have my CDL as of yet, I DO have my CDL B w/ HazMat Permit. I also have at least 2 yrs OTR exp. in a straight truck. The trucks I drove before were all the same (24ft Day Cabs) but they were all just under 26,001. Now, I have found another co. she can put her truck on for us, but yet another snag, (the company's ins. co is OOIDA) everyone else is not accepting me on their insurance (although Panther would) because I am only currently a cdl permitted driver and although I have at least 2 yrs. verifiable exp. in a str8 truck, I haven't had my CDL for 2 yrs. I taking my road test on Dec 23. My father is OK, but I am the one who is having the problem getting qualified w/ anyone and I'm afraid the o/o will be taking the truck back b4 we even get started. Now, don't get me wrong, the o/o has been trying everything including getting her own ins. to insure me but when they pull up my driving record it says that I have CDL permit ONLY! Is there anything else I can do at this point, also, can anyone tell me about the road test? Like the inspection part because I don't know much about all the parts and stuff I will have to talk about and show to the inspector. Please help me anybody!!! Thanks.
 

davekc

Senior Moderator
Staff member
Fleet Owner
If you feel comfortable taking the driving part I would go to your local drivers license bereau and get the booklet for taking your cdl. It will cover just about everything. There is a seperate book for hazmat if you need that.
Davekc
 

JBird

Expert Expediter
Yes, I am comfortable in the driving part of the test. I have the cdl manual I've been reading for KY, it's just the PTI that I'm worried about! I'm not too familiar with truck parts and all the stuff I have to point out to the examiner, but I am just going to read this checklist for a class b cdl inspection I have. Thank you for the response, I appreciate it.
 

Tennesseahawk

Veteran Expediter
What you could do is take an hour or two with either an examiner or an instructor at a trucking school to go over the inspection with you. Most likely, they'll have a cheatsheet with a diagram of the truck pointing out the inspection points.
Good luck!
 

cat can do

Veteran Expediter
I did my road test in Mi and I was also concerned about the pre-trip but I called the school and for $50 bucks the instructor walked me threw the pre-trip. Just remember you dont have to grab the parts you just have to be able to I.D. the part and what you are looking for. The most important part of the test is the air brake portion. Just keep reading your booklet on the pre-trip it tells you exactly what to look for.
Oh ya best of luck.
 

x06col

Veteran Expediter
Charter Member
Retired Expediter
US Army
Don't waste your time typing here. Get to studying.
 
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