Getting Hired (6)
Your First 30, 60, 90 Days: A Survival Plan
Congratulations on your new over-the-road driving career. Your new life as a truck driver will take you places you never expected. The best way to start a successful, rewarding career is to have a plan and get good training. This guide will provide you with insight and survival tips to make your first 30, 60, and 90 days as useful as possible. Knowing which skills to master, common pitfalls to avoid, and how to interact with your trainer can help you get off on the right path.
PSP vs. DAC vs. MVR: What Carriers See About You
When you're pursuing a career in the trucking industry, driving records matter a lot. Recruiters and safety departments rely on these records to assess drivers and determine which candidates are the best for the job. As a CDL-A holder, there are three important driving reports that you should be aware of: the PSP, DAC, and MVR.Knowing what's in each record, how long items remain on those records, how to order reports, and how to dispute errors can mean the difference between getting hired...or not. This information can help you take control of your driving career. Here's what you need to know.
Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse: How 'Prohibited' Status Works
There is no shortage of regulations that new and early-career truck drivers are required to learn. One of the most important (and often confusing) is the FMCSA’s Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse. This online database tracks violations of federal drug and alcohol testing rules for CDL and CLP holders. If you’ve heard of drivers getting a “prohibited” status, you might be wondering what it actually means, how it affects your career, and what you can do to get back in good standing.In this article, we'll break down everything you need to know about the Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse so you know what to expect and how to protect your eligibility to drive.
Employment Gaps & Applications: What to Disclose and How
Landing a new position always feels like a stressful proposition. When you start building your resume and realize that you have potential red flags, such as employment gaps or periods of difficult employment history, it can feel even more daunting. Fortunately, these types of entries on your resume do not have to hinder your career. Strategic thinking about these gaps can help you optimize your resume and open the opportunity for a productive conversation with the hiring team at your desired trucking company. Let’s look more closely at how you can build a positive, productive resume.
Owner-Operator Curious? A Sanity Check Before You Jump
Being a truck driver isn't as straightforward as getting a special type of license, getting behind the wheel of the nearest big rig, and following directions. There's a nuance to it, and especially if you're new to the world of being an Over-the-Road (OTR) driver with a Class A driver's license, there are a number of essential things you'll want to keep in mind.
HazMat: Endorsement, Background Check, and Renewal Checklist
If you're a commercial driver who wants to expand your career opportunities and earning potential, earning and maintaining a hazardous materials (hazmat) endorsement is a vitally important step. Because hauling hazardous freight involves additional responsibility and safety concerns, the process of getting this endorsement takes more than just a written test.You'll also need a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) background check to get started, and a careful renewal schedule to ensure your endorsement doesn't lapse.Here's what you need to know about getting and renewing a hazmat endorsement, what to study to pass the written test, and the most common reimbursement policies employers offer to cover its costs.