January 2019

While attending truck driver training school at DriveCo CDL Learning Center, you will meet with several trucking companies looking to hire new drivers. Whether you are interested in local, regional, or national (over-the-road – OTR) driving, you will want to make sure you know what each carrier has to offer before you sign a contract.

Finding the Right Match That Meets Your Needs:

There are a variety of different carriers out there looking to hire drivers. Some carriers specialize in local jobs while others work regionally and some work on a national level. Each carrier will also provide different working hours, job locations, benefits, and wages. When speaking to recruiters from these different carriers, you will want to know what questions you need to ask them to ensure that the job they are hiring for is the right fit for you.

So, What Do I Ask These Carriers?

It is best to come prepared with a list of questions that you want to ask the trucking recruiter. This discussion is your prime opportunity to gather information before you decide who you will choose to work with. There are many different things that you will want to know about before committing to work for that specific carrier.

Writing your questions down will help you remember them and ensure you ask them all. Bringing a pen to take notes will help you remember the information if you wish to compare companies later.

While you will have your questions to ask, the following are a sample of 50 questions you will want to consider asking when you are gathering information from a recruiter about a potential trucking job.

Questions to Ask:

How much does it pay?
Is the salary negotiable?
How much can I expect pay to increase over time?
Are there expected raises at specific times?
Will I have to ask for a raise, or will it happen automatically?
How often is my driving record and performance reviewed?
Are there performance incentives for, for example, delivering earlier than anticipated?
What are the benefits associated with working for the company?
Do you offer insurance?
How much of my insurance will I have to pay for?
What about insurance for family members?
Is dental and vision insurance included as part of the package?
How much time will I get at home?
Do I get paid overtime for driving on holidays?
Am I expected to drive on holidays, or can I anticipate being home?
Are there restrictions on when I can use my vacation time?
How many hours per week can I expect to spend on the road?
What is the company policy regarding hours spent driving per day?
What is the company policy on driving in unsafe conditions?
How will my income be impacted due to weather conditions I can’t drive in?
Can I make up lost hours?
How will maintenance on the vehicle be handled?
Am I expected to take cargo in unsafe conditions?
Will I receive funds for relocation, if necessary?
What do other employees have to say about the company?
What’s the best thing about working for the company?
What’s the worst thing about working for the company?
How much employee turnover do you have?
On average, how long do your drivers spend working for your company?
Are there any job advancement opportunities available?
Will the company help with any additional training?
Can I have the job offer in writing?
What does a typical month in the life of a company driver look like?
What are the typical routes driven by drivers for your company?
When can I start working? (You don’t want a job that will make you wait for weeks or months before you start!)
What certifications do I need to work for your company?
Who do I need to reach out to if I need help?
Is there an older driver who can help show me the ropes?
What should I do if there’s an emergency and I need to make a change?
What’s the biggest challenge currently facing your other drivers?
What challenges do drivers face every day?
How are sick days handled?
What if I get so sick on the road that I’m no longer able to drive?
What are the company’s current plans for growth?
How will the company be expanding over the next several years?
What reimbursement exists for expenses on the road?
How soon can I expect to receive reimbursement, if needed?
What documentation do I need to provide as part of my daily job responsibilities?
Is there anything that makes you think that I won’t be a good fit for this job?
What about me makes you think that I would be a good fit for your company?

By asking the right questions, you can get the answers you need and determine whether or not this is the job for you. Check out our upcoming Recruiter Events at DriveCo to meet with a carrier you’d like to know more about. If you’re ready to join the trucking industry, but still need that CDL, contact us today!

Did you know that getting your Class A CDL will allow you to operate more than just a standard semi? The exciting thing about trucking is that you will be able to drive vehicles of different sizes and weights, which each serve their own purpose. Explore the different vehicles you can operate with your Class A CDL!

Class A CDL Vehicles

Getting your Class A CDL will allow you to operate vehicles that weigh at least 26,001 pounds or higher, along with a towed vehicle weighing more than 10,000 pounds. Getting endorsements will expand the type of vehicles you’re able to operate with your CDL!

Adding endorsements to your Class A CDL can allow you to drive Tractor Trailers, Truck and Trailer Combinations, Double and Triple Trailers, Tractor-Trailer Buses, Tanker Vehicles, Livestock Carriers, or Flatbeds. You may also be able to operate in certain Class B or C vehicles, depending on which state you reside in and the laws and regulations of your state.

Special CDL Endorsements

In addition to your Class A license, there are a variety of endorsements required for certain jobs. The following are some of the endorsements necessary and what each endorsement will allow the driver to do:

H Endorsement is required if you will be driving vehicles containing hazardous materials.
N Endorsement will allow you to drive vehicles with tanks on them.
P Endorsement can permit you to drive vehicles that carry a specific number of passengers. The actual number of passengers allowed will vary by state.
S Endorsement is required to drive school buses. In order to get the S Endorsement, you must also pass a road skills test, submit entirely separate application forms, pass a complete background check, and have an acceptable driving record.
T Endorsement will allow you to drive a double or triple trailer.
X Endorsement can permit you to drive vehicles that transport HAZMAT materials and tanker vehicles.

These endorsements are required, in addition to your CDL, in order to drive specific vehicles. The requirements may vary depending on the state you live in. Each endorsement will also have its own separate written knowledge test you must pass in order to receive it.

In the end, the type of CDL endorsements you get will have a significant influence on which types of driving jobs you can choose from. Knowing the type of driving job you want, can be helpful while finishing your CDL training at DriveCo.

Ready to get on the road to your new career in trucking? DriveCo CDL Learning Center has the training you need to become a professional truck driver! Contact us today to learn more!

As we ring in 2019, many are looking for ways to better their lives in the new year. One of the best ways to do this is to focus on improving your career! If you’ve been on the hunt for an in-demand field with high-earning potential, you’ll want to consider becoming a professional truck driver.

There are currently about 60,000+ truck driving jobs open throughout the US. That number is only expected to increase in the coming years due to a consistent rise in consumer demand. There’s no better time than now to train for your new career in trucking!

Getting Your CDL Doesn’t Take Long

Getting your CDL is a reasonably quick process, especially when it’s compared to many 2-or-4-year schools that are required to get other jobs with similar pay and benefits. At DriveCo CDL Learning Center, you will be able to complete your Class A CDL program in just a few weeks! As soon as you finish your CDL training and pass your road test, you are ready to begin a new career with high-earning potential and great benefits.

Financial Assistance Offered at DriveCo

We are proud to offer financial assistance options to help students finance their CDL training at DriveCo. In addition to financial assistance, we also accept a host of government-funded programs. Military members and veterans may also be eligible for additional assistance through our financial assistance programs based on their services and qualifications.

Even if you don’t qualify for financial assistance, we have options available to help cover the cost of your CDL training. DriveCo also works with some of the top trucking companies that offer sponsorship training and tuition reimbursement! Our goal is to make getting your CDL as affordable as possible.

Get Hired With Our Job Placement Assistance

After you finish your CDL training at DriveCo, you will have full access to our job placement services! Our job placement assistance team is committed to helping you find a job that is the perfect fit for you. Even if for some reason things don’t work out with your first job after your training, you are also welcome to use our job placement services as a DriveCo graduate! We are always here to help our students find quality employment. There are many large trucking carriers who want to hire our graduates!

Truck Driving Provides Amazing Benefits

Many people are not aware of the great benefits that come along with a career in trucking. Benefits will vary between companies, however, trucking carriers often offer a whole host of benefits in addition to an annual salary.

Some of these benefits may include the following:

40,000+ in annual pay.
Full healthcare benefits for the driver and their family.
Possible reimbursement for tuition expenses paid out to the driver on a monthly basis. You’ll typically have to sign a 1-year contract with most carriers to get this benefit.
401k and other retirement benefit options.
Eligibility for bonuses if performance standards get met.
Annual paid vacation time off.

These are just some of the great benefits that carriers often offer their truck drivers. The benefits you receive will depend on which trucking company you chose to work for. The job placement assistance team at DriveCo will teach you how to advocate for yourself to find the best possible fit to meet your needs!

As you can tell, the trucking industry has a lot to offer. So what are you waiting for? Make 2019 the year you start your new career as a professional truck driver! For further information please feel free to contact us at the DriveCo CDL Learning Center! We’ll help you get on your way to a new career today!