Hello. I have just received my CDL and am starting work Friday. I must say that I am a bit nervous. The nervousness is just the result of I do not know anything that is going to happen: The trainer, training schedule, etc.

They tell you what to bring and how long training is but there is no way they can tell you things that you may really need to know.

If you guys out there could give me some idea of what to expect, what to bring, etc. that would really be a great help to me. I am looking forwad to the adventure but nervous nonetheless.

Thank you.

 

It varies with each company, but at many companies it goes something like:

Day 1: Physical, drug test,paperwork, road test.
Day 2: Safety videos, more paperwork, more paperwork
Day 3: Hours of service and log books, company procedures, more paperwork, assigned a trainer.

Next few weeks: Will be running loads with your trainer. Ideally your trainer should be helping you learn how to drive in as many types of situations as possible, work with you on backing skills, how to deal with shippers/recievers, load securement, company procedures, how to get around in truck stops and rest areas, etc.

As far as what to bring, if your company provided you with a list then it should cover it all, but the basics would be:

1 week worth of clothes with a few extra pair of socks. Clothes should be heavy to current season, but have something to cover all weather from hot to cold.
coat, jacket, rain coat.
Work boots or shoes
Comfortable shoes
Toiletries
1 towel
1 small duffel bag for your shower gear
battery or dual powered calculator
black ink pens
2 six inch rulers
All information needed to fill out an application
CDL, SS card, any letters of reference, birth certificate
Diploma from CDL school
Current DOT physical
Folder to keep all your important papers together
Motor Carrier Atlas if you have one, if not you can buy one after you start.
voided check to sign up for direct deposit.
Name, phone number and address of your doctors.
White out
Work gloves
pillow, sheet and blanket or a sleeping bag and a sheet (twin sized bedding)
May want to bring a book or two, hand held video game, puzzle books or whatever trips your trigger to help pass any down time you will have.
Get a debit card if you don't have one already and take $50 in cash.

You should use a duffel bag or other soft collapsable type of luggage to carry your stuff in. A small soft sided brief case is nice to have to keep all your paperwork, atlas and office supplies in.

Don't worry about tools, CB radios, coolers, etc.

 

Towels!

I'm heading out tomorrow, I'm glad I read this post. I didn't even think of them.

Thanks!

 

You might want to include soap, too. (I didn't see it on the list.)

Many truckstops have quit putting the little bars of soap in there with their towels. I never notice them missing until I'm NEKKED!!

I used to have one of those plastic boxes and a bar of soap, but it got too messy (although a ziplock baggie will help.) Now, I carry a bottle of "body soap" for those places that don't provide it.

 

PSSSTTTTT.........soap, shampoo, etc is generally included in toiletries.

BTW, while truck stops will provide towels usually, you may need to provide your own at a terminal if they have showers.

Oh, one thing I did not mention is shower shoes/flip flops. VERY important.

 

That is good advice and it is good to hear it from people who 'know' the situation. Thanks a lot.

 

Hobo! OMG! I'm signing off and going back to TV. I'll try the board again later.

 

Yeah, okay..... but, I never thought of it as being part of toiletries. But, I WOULD think that a black ink pen might be part of "anything needed to fill out an application."

Actually, a newbie would probably think to take soap (as I did when I started,) but after being out there a couple of weeks, I never did again. Then one day...... NO SOAP!

I was just trying to help him avoid the embarrassment of walking around the back halls of a truckstop with a towel around him!

I know Bel..... not a pretty image! I posted that JUST to get rid of you for awhile!

 

Just wanted to say thanks for that list. Hubby is leaving Sunday for orientation and training and there were several things on that list that we hadn't thought of.

 

shuck, ain't no way anyone can bring everything they need when they go out their first time especially when going out with a trainer. i still forget things when i stop at home and empty out truck to clean it. i started leaving extra stuff at each of my girlfriends houses so if i forget sdmething i can get it at my next stop.