How to Become a Tanker Truck Driver

It is a special breed of driver who delves into the world of tanker truck deliveries. Knowing how to become a tanker truck driver is only the beginning, as the nuances and special skill set requires more training and decisions when taking on the added difficulties.

Licensing 

The commercial driver’s license (CDL) is the first step in becoming a tanker truck driver, though it doesn’t stop there. Tanker drivers also need to become certified with a Tank Vehicle Examination before pulling liquid or semi-liquid cargo. This strenuous test goes beyond routes and basic driver tactics, as liquid cargo hauls differently than even packed dry goods.

Utilizing specially designed metal tanker rigs, tankerdrivers must contend with continuously shifting loads of often explosive, flammable, caustic, and toxic materials. The pay benefits are greater, but so are the risks.

Finding the Right Job

Many drivers hire on as full time employees with tanker companies, and can realized a solid take home salary of $40-50k a year. This guaranteed salary can be comforting, with the tanker companies dealing with maintenance costs and additional requirements, all taken from the driver’s hands. However, independents can make a great deal more by being selective on the loads, holding out for higher paying jobs without waiting to be assigned something. These drivers often take the more dangerous load and over the longer hauls, but the offset if being responsible for their own costs.

Types of Tanker Driver Loads 

If it’s liquid, it ships. Drivers can expect to see contracts for liquid goods ranging from food products such as milk, processed grains, and similar consumables. They can also see loads consisting of gasoline, oil, liquid propane, and diesel – these loads are highly dangerous and the paycheck that goes along with them makes them tempting jobs.

Drivers also have a different time on the road, as some byways restrict the types of loads that can be carried on them, requiring drivers to seek alternate and approved routes. The jobs may range from simple local deliveries, but cross-country trips are just as likely. Tanker truck drivers can also expect a longer haul time, as vehicle inspections are much more detailed and time consuming.

A tanker truck driver can expect to create a finer touch with driving a load thanks to the constantly shifting weight. But in the end, it well could be worth it for the right driver. 

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.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Jeffrey_Hill

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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

Mobile Phone Restrictions

New Mobile Phone Restriction Rule For Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers

Overview and Background

A new FMCSA rule restricts the use of all hand-held mobile devices by drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). This rulemaking restricts a CMV driver from holding a mobile device to make a call, or dialing by pressing more than a single button. CMV drivers who use a mobile phone while driving can only use a hands-free phone located in close proximity.
Research commissioned by FMCSA shows that the odds of being involved in a safety-critical event (e.g., crash, near-crash, unintentional lane deviation) are 6 times greater for CMV drivers who engage in dialing a mobile phone while driving than for those who do not. Dialing drivers took their eyes off the forward roadway for an average of 3.8 seconds. At 55 mph (or 80.7 feet per second), this equates to a driver traveling 306 feet, the approximate length of a football field, without looking at the roadway!

What is the definition of using a mobile telephone?

The use of a hand-held mobile telephone means:

• Using at least one hand to hold a mobile phone to make a call;
• Dialing a mobile phone by pressing more than a single button; or
• Reaching for a mobile phone in a manner that requires a driver to maneuver so that he or she is no longer in a seated driving position, restrained by a seat belt.

What does this rule mean to drivers and carriers?

• Fines and Penalties - Using a hand-held mobile phone while driving a CMV can result in driver disqualification. Penalties can be up to $2,750 for drivers and up to $11,000 for employers who allow or require drivers to use a hand-held communications device while driving.
• Disqualification - Multiple violations of the prohibition of using a hand-held mobile phone while driving a CMV can result in a driver disqualification by FMCSA. Multiple violations of State laws prohibiting use of a mobile phone while driving a CMV is a serious traffic violation that could result in a disqualification by a State of drivers required to have a Commercial Drivers License.
• What are the risks? - Using a hand-held mobile phone is risky because it requires the driver to reach for and dial the phone to make a call. Reaching for a phone out of the driver’s immediate area is risky as well as dialing because these actions take the driver’s eyes off the roadway.
• The rule applies to drivers operating a commercial motor vehicle on a roadway, including moving forward or temporarily stationary because of traffic, traffic control devices, or other momentary delays.
• A mounted phone is acceptable as long as it is mounted close to the driver.
• Impact on Safety Measurement System (SMS) Results - Violations negatively impact SMS results, and they carry the maximum severity weight.

Compliance

Make sure the mobile telephone is within close enough proximity that it is operable while the driver is restrained by properly installed and adjusted seat belts.

• Use an earpiece or the speaker phone function.
• Use voice-activated dialing.
• Use the hands-free feature. To comply, a driver must have his or her mobile telephone located where he or she is able to initiate, answer, or terminate a call by touching a single button. The driver must be in the seated driving position and properly restrained by a seat belt. Drivers are not in compliance if they unsafely reach for a mobile phone, even if they intend to use the hands-free function.

No Call, No Text, No Ticket!

Mobile_Phone_Rule_Fact_Sheet.pdf

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.

View PDF full version

How to Get a Commercial Driver’s License – CDL

Here is a great video if you are interested in getting your CDL. It covers all of the requirements to get your Commercial Driver’s License.