The Bell's Ringing - Get to School!

No matter what profession an individual hopes to enter, there are always various factors that need to be taken into consideration. Those factors include education, money, location, and assistance programs. Well, becoming a truck driver is just like any other profession in this regard, and it all starts with the first item on the list... education.

To begin, when choosing a truck driving school which is right for you, try to get feedback from current or former students. Since they already have experience with the academic institution, they're your best eyes and ears, so to speak. If you're investigation brings about positive feedback, you're ready to move on in the process.

So, the school you've discovered gets the big "thumbs up" from its alumni; now it's time to ask the scary question... "how much is this going to cost me?" While this truck driving school may be everything you've ever dreamed of; if you can't afford the cost, it may be time to look elsewhere. However, with this mind, do your best not substitute cost for quality! In the end, you may be better off taking out a small student loan and going to the truck driving school that you know meets your criteria.

When the issue of money is resolved, it's time to decide if the desired school's location will be a good fit for your current situation (i.e. single or married with a family). Are you going to commute daily? If so, how far? Gas can get very costly! Or, are you going to move to attend your choice of truck driving school? If so, where are you going to reside and at what cost? Some truck driving schools do offer dorms similar to a college campus; but it will obviously raise the cost of attending the institution.

Finally, when you've got all your ducks in a row, do not skip over this final and imperative step. Make sure to inquire about what forms of assistance the truck driving school offers its graduates. A good truck driving school should offer help with the following:

a. resume building

b. reference letter

c. application process

d. job placement

e. assistance in obtaining the best possible job package including benefits

To conclude, choosing to go to school to become a truck driver is no different from working your way into another work related field. Always remember to cross your t's and dot your i's. Do not assume that any random truck driving school is right for you. Therefore, make sure to investigate each of the key components (education, cost, location, and assistance) discussed with regards to each and every truck driving school you review. If you cover all of these bases, the decision you make should be a sound one.

John Hill operates a website for truck drivers. His goal is to better educate truck drivers on laws and regulations. You will find information on CSA scores, CSA Points and how to be a trucker by visiting the CDL Learning Center.

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National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners

The National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners lists medical examiners (MEs) who have been trained, tested and certified to perform medical examinations for commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers in interstate commerce. These MEs fully understand the medical standards in the FMCSA Regulations, related guidance and how they relate to the medical demands of operating a commercial motor vehicle.

The goal of the National Registry is to promote and preserve the highest level of professional standards, training and care among medical examiners. Therefore, the National Registry requires that medical examiners performing CMV driver examinations be trained and certified.

All healthcare professionals are eligible to apply to become a certified medical examiner if their scope of practice authorizes them to perform physical examinations, as defined by the State in which they practice.

The objectives of the National Registry are to:

• Ensure that medical examiners understand fully the medical standards in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) and related guidance and how they apply to CMV drivers
• Maintain ongoing competency of medical examiners through training, testing, certification and recertification
• Promote public confidence in the quality of the medical examinations of CMV drivers
• Ensure that the list of certified medical examiners is easily accessible

Search for a Medical Examiner: https://nationalregistry.fmcsa.dot.gov/NRPublicUI/home.seam

The Quest for a Commercial Driver's License

So, you've come to a precipice in your life that a decision needs to be made. The decision you've come to is to become a licensed truck driver. Keep in mind, however, that this new adventure comes with a great deal of legwork to be completed.
First and foremost, to obtain a truck driving job, one must get a Commercial Driver's License (CDL.) Earning a Commercial Driver's License requires the proper training, at an accredited truck driving school. In the United States, training can be obtained through various employers, truck driving schools, government institutions, and the private sector. However, each of these options is subject to inspection of their testing facilities, at any time. That being said, each of these institutions is an option when seeking your CDL. Whichever route you choose, make sure to expect to take part in the following areas:
• The General Knowledge Test
a. vehicle types and differences
b. types of endorsements
c. braking systems
d. safety precautions
• The Road Test
a. pre and post trip inspections
b. vehicle handling
c. on the road driving
The General Knowledge Test contains approximately 30 questions. To pass this assessment, a potential truck driver must receive at least an 80%. Once this hurdle is complete, one must then pass the driving test portion. During this portion, the truck driving student can expect to take part in numerous driving scenarios.
Once the truck driving student has successfully passed both the General Knowledge Test and Road Test, they can receive their CDL permit. This is the perfect opportunity to hone one's driving skills out on the actual roadway. The time spent driving with a permit is paramount, because you'll have another licensed and experienced driver riding next to you. This takes quite a bit of pressure off your shoulders for your first experiences out on America's roads.
When you actually receive your valid Commercial Driver's License that you've worked so hard for; it's a good idea to understand exactly what a CDL contains. Your Commercial Driver's License will contain the following criteria:
a. Your full name and legal address
b. Your accurate physical description (including height, weight, gender, etc.)
c. Your photograph (color)
d. State's license number
e. License expiration date
f. What vehicles you are allowed to operate
g. Any additional endorsements you may have earned
Additional endorsements can be tested for and earned if you choose to do so. Some of these additional endorsements can raise your pay nicely. Therefore, once you've earned your Commercial Driver's License, one may wish to attempt earning one of the following endorsements:
a. Hazmat
b. Tanker
c. Doubles/Triples
d. School Bus
In the end, the trucking industry is a vital component to the economic success of the United States. By becoming a truck driver, and earning your Commercial Driver's License, one can earn quite a good living. To expedite the process, one should prepare in advance by taking a CDL practice test. In addition, becoming a truck driver offers a sense of pride. Without the truck driving profession, American commerce would fail to work, leaving America's public and private sectors a disaster. Therefore, earn your Commercial Driver's License and hit the road to success.
CB39.org is a web site dedicated to truck drivers and coaching people to become truck drivers. You can find more information about a truck driving job here: CDL Learning Center - http://www.cb39.org/cdl_learning_center/cdl-learning-center.html CB39.org - http://www.cb39.org/index.htmlArticle Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Jeffrey_Hill

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Commercial Driver's License Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse

FMCSA proposes to establish the Commercial Driver's License Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse (Clearinghouse), a database under the Agency's administration that will contain controlled substances (drug) and alcohol test result information for the holders of commercial driver's licenses (CDLs). The proposed rule would require FMCSA-regulated motor carrier employers, Medical Review Officers (MROs), Substance Abuse Professionals (SAPs), and consortia/third party administrators (C/TPAs) supporting U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) testing programs to report verified positive, adulterated, and substituted drug test results, positive alcohol test results, test refusals, negative return-to-duty test results, and information on follow-up testing. The proposed rule would also require employers to report actual knowledge of traffic citations for driving a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) while under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs. The proposed rule would establish the terms of access to the database, including the conditions under which information would be submitted, accessed, maintained, updated, removed, and released to prospective employers, current employers, and other authorized entities. Finally, it would require laboratories that provide FMCSA-regulated motor carrier employers with DOT drug testing services to report, annual, summary information about their testing activities. This rule is mandated by Section 32402 of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act.

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Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Releases New Study Outlining Opportunities for Returning Veterans

Experienced military truck and bus drivers will more easily be able to
obtain civilian commercial driver‘s licenses under proposed FMCSA regulatory changes

WASHINGTON -- A new study released today by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recommended a series of regulatory changes to further ease the transition of military personnel and veterans into much-needed civilian jobs driving commercial motor vehicles. In releasing the study, FMCSA also announced plans to implement the changes as soon as possible.

"Our military men and women make tremendous sacrifices in service to our nation, and helping veterans transition to the civilian workforce when they come home is just one way to show our gratitude," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. "Today's report builds on the work FMCSA has already accomplished on behalf of our veterans and outlines opportunities to help even more qualify for jobs based on the skills and training they receive in the armed forces."

The study, which was directed by Congress in the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21 Century Act (MAP-21) one year ago, analyzed training, testing and licensing similarities and differences between military and civilian commercial driver's license (CDL) requirements. A number of federal and state regulatory changes were identified that would not adversely impact safety but would allow returning U.S. military personnel possessing extensive training and experience operating trucks, buses and other heavy equipment to more easily and conveniently receive a state-issued CDL.

The opportunities outlined in the report require formal rulemaking action, which FMCSA will initiate this year. The proposed changes include:

• Extending the period of time, from 90 days to one year, in which an active duty and recently separated veterans can take advantage of a Military Skills Test Waiver. The waiver, which FMCSA first implemented in 2011, allows states to waive CDL skills tests for service members with two years of safe driving experience with similar vehicles. Today, 46 states and Washington, D.C. offer the waiver, which has already provided almost 2,000 military personnel a quicker pathway to a job;
• Updating federal regulations to allow over 60,000 service members trained and employed in the operation of heavy vehicles, many of which are nearly identical to civilian commercial motor vehicles, to immediately qualify for a CDL while still on active duty; and
• Allowing a service member who is stationed in one state, but licensed in another, to obtain a CDL before being discharged.

"The demand for truck drivers will continue to rise in the coming years, so we are taking action to remove the obstacles that prevent military veterans from finding employment in the industry," said Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrator Anne S. Ferro. "The men and women who serve in uniform commit their lives to protecting our country -- in many cases by operating heavy vehicles -- and there are no better credentials for becoming a safe truck or bus driver."

FMCSA will continue to explore other ways to ease the transition from military occupations to jobs requiring CDLs, including waiving the requirements for pre-employment drug testing for recently discharged military personnel based on their recent participation in random drug testing programs run by the military.

In August, FMCSA announced almost $1 million in grants to six colleges to help increase enrollment in commercial motor vehicle training programs, making it easier for veterans and their spouses to obtain CDLs and find transportation jobs. These grants are in addition to similar funding awards made by FMCSA two years ago.

The agency also granted a petition from Virginia in May to allow their military bases to be certified as third-party testers of military personnel for CDL knowledge and skills tests. New Mexico and Wisconsin are preparing to follow suit.

From 2010 to 2020, the need for heavy-vehicle drivers is expected to grow by more than 17 percent -- faster than the national average for other occupations. Jobs as city, tour and school bus drivers, as well as light truck or delivery services drivers, are expected to continue growing at the national average.

A copy of the study is available here.