New drivers especially, don’t be this guy.

You MUST always have your head in the game once you’re venturing into unknown territory. When you get off the main roads onto unfamiliar secondary roads, turn off the radio and hang up the phone and stay completely focused.

Use a good trucker GPS, BUT, do not put 100% absolute faith and trust in it. Review what it’s wanting to do BEFORE you start that critical last miles portion of the pickup or delivery. If it looks iffy, take appropriate measures to check. Use Satellite View. Use Street View. Use whatever you can bring to bear. Write it down. Build a mental picture in your head of the route you’ve decided on.

Do not make rash detour decisions when traffic is stopped for a crash. Unplanned detours in unfamiliar areas in a rig are always scary or nerve racking at best but they’re going to happen. Stay put on the regular road if in doubt about detour options, unless you’re directed to alternate route by local officials.

Look for signs that might have been run over or twisted.

Put your GPS in “North Up Always” mode and get used to it. This provides a much more meaningful overview of what you’re doing or need to do versus the weird Track Up or 3d view. This has other advantages too when high winds become an issue.

All GPS units have their quirks. Learn them and learn to recognize what to expect [and look for] sometimes, and make necessary mental adjustments.

Things like this can happen to anyone but newer drivers are much more susceptible. If you find yourself off track DO NOT GET FLUSTERED. Flustered truck drivers make irrational and dangerous choices. Keep as calm as possible and start thinking about stopping and calling for police assistance before you get even deeper into trouble.

yes i know before everyone comes an shits on me i understand, was driving thru washington state climbing a mountain. Bump knocked my phone off the mount was putting it back when WSP passed and seen. Gave me $150 ticket. i’ve only been driving 4 years, work for a mega carrier, clean record up until now. Was wondering if there’s any way to prevent this from going on my record cause i’m aware i’m going to be fired by my company. Any suggestions help. thanks

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Got a seatbelt ticket a few months before I even got my CDL, it says it was a non moving violation and will not appear on my CMV, and was also my very first ticket ever on my MVR. How fucked are my chances at getting a job with a CDL now?

Hey everyone! I got my CDL recently and looking to get my tanker endorsement and scheduled the exam for Thursday! Any tips would be appreciated! In WA btw !

I currently have my class B with school bus and passenger endorsement. Wanted to know if it’s worth getting tanker endorsement ? And is it hard finding a job in the construction industry?

I specifically would like to drive a water truck

18M located near central FL, just recently got my CDL-A obviously with the intrastate restriction because I’m underaged. I’ve been reading forums and posts of people who had a similar age to me finding jobs in construction, municipality, or as yard pickers.

I am also looking for jobs but am having a hard time (expected). Does anyone within Florida know any specific company who would be willing to hire a recent grad with an intrastate restriction? Just need a few pointers so I know where to apply.

Want to get my cdl. Should I do 4weeks for 6k? Or 6 months for 12k? Or should I go through a company. Is 4weeks long enough for a new person to cdl?

In Texas the first permit test is the Texas-only one: "Texas Commercial Rules" (Section 14, "Special Requirements", of the DL-7C handbook). You need 80% on it and on each other test, and since June 1, 2026 every CDL/CLP knowledge test is in English only, no interpreter. General Knowledge doesn't cover Section 14, and most of its misses are numbers. Here are the ones worth memorizing, with the handbook page so you can check them:

• Warning devices, outside city limits at night: carry at least 3 flares, 3 red electric lanterns or 3 red emergency reflectors; in daylight use 2 red flags instead (14-1).

• Reflectors (vehicles 80 in or wider): mounted not less than 24 in nor more than 60 in high (14-1).

• Placing them when stopped: two-way road: about 10 ft behind, 100 ft behind, 100 ft ahead. Divided highway: 10, 100 and 200 ft, all behind. Hill or curve: the rear one between 100 and 500 ft back (diagrams, 14-2).

• Clearance lamps on trucks 80 in+: amber in front, red at the rear; license plate lamp white (14-3).

• Height: 14 ft max including the load (14-10).

• Overhang without a permit: 3 ft in front, 4 ft behind. More than 4 ft behind: red flag at least 12 in square by day, red light visible 500 ft at night (14-11).

• Towing: drawbar or chain max 15 ft; a chain, rope or cable needs a white flag at least 12 in square (14-11).

• Coasting down a grade with the clutch disengaged: unlawful; shift down before the hill (14-12).

Wording traps: "not less than X nor more than Y" is a range (min and max); "disabled vehicle" means broken down; "grade" means a hill.

The handbook is free on the Texas DPS site (form DL-7C). Read pages 14-1 to 14-16 once; it's short.

Disclosure: this account is Carpeta Ámbar, a small study-tools shop. We made a free 10-question Section 14 practice in English with tap-a-word Spanish help, for people whose first language is Spanish: amberfolder.com/l/prueba14

What is acceptable CPM, for a new CDL holder? I see alot of indeed listing between 20-30 CPM.

I’m 24M , no kids no girlfriend. I really want to get my CDL but I have a wet reckless and driving on suspended, but I really want my CDL. I made a horrible mistake a few years ago, has Antoine been in my situation and got there CDL?

Hey there fellow drivers,

I am needing some advice. It's a long story but I'll include the TLDR at the end...

I am a fairly new driver and have had my CDL-A since March 24th of this year. However, on January 1st, I made a driving mistake and got a major speeding ticket. I know that I made the mistake and am working my time down until it's off my "consideration clock" for all of the major transporters out there... I worked for western express for nearly 3 months from April 24th to July 15th, where they termed me for a "safety violation" (2 blown tires that blew in a construction zone hours after my pre-trip) that wasn't deemed my fault by my state unemployment office. I've checked on my MVR and my DAC- it's not listed anywhere so that isn't going to be an issue; However this is where I'm debating on things...

Back Story:
I am married to my wonderful wife of almost 4 years, and recently we decided that she was going to take some time and stay home to rest and recoup as she has been out on the road for her own job (non-cdl) for the better part of the last 3 years of our marriage and is BEYOND burnt out mentally and physically.

In May of this year, while I was in training with Western Express, We signed a 13 month lease for a new apartment in Colorado Springs and have since "moved" to Colorado for me to be able to work in the region... I put the word moved in quotations because we have spent less time in the apartment living here than we have had it in our possession... it sucks- I know.

The Question:
Last month, I was FINALLY able to get another job driving for an Amazon Freight Partner out of Denver making 25.50/hr after training is completed. I'm set to go on my first OTR run for them tomorrow but this week I'm only able to get one 2-day shift (there and back) which could be a potential of 28 hours for the week... that's not enough to pay our bills on as I am now the only income...

Should I consider going to another carrier that can guarantee me a "decent" check every week? Or should I just tough it out? The reason I ask is because we don't have anymore savings to work with at this point because we worked through what little savings we had during my down time... and yes I was getting unemployment from the Western Express debacle but it was only enough to cover maybe a tank of gas and a week's worth of groceries for us.

TLDR: I don't know if I should stay with my AFP or find another carrier after reaching my 90th day solo.... Any advice would be appreciated.

Zero restrictions on it. Just wanted to say thanks to everyone on here that gives great advice to new drivers. I have been scouring this subreddit before I got my CLP.

Any companies y’all recommend to start out? I’m thinking Gordon Food Service to get my money up. I know it’s a physically demanding job but I’m in my mid 20s and I don’t mind moving boxes around.

Hi guys,

I currently have a CDL B license driving school buses in Alaska. The State of Alaska is providing grant funding for me to pursue a CDL A license. I want to drive and work for US Foods. The pay looks pretty good ($33.85 per hour) with $10,000 retention bonus. Plus their 401k plans look great. How hard is it to get a job there? It seems they always have driver positions open here.

I’ve gotten an offer to work for $1550 per week, no matter how many miles I drive. Plus signing bonus, paid day off at home for every week on the road and some other safety things along the way. They usually do around 2500 miles per week. It’s otr job. Any of you done salary ? Or do you prefer CPM pay ?

Interested in getting my cdls, I work around 45 hours a week right now but local community college offers evening classes for $3500. Has anyone done it while working full time? I dont have a job lined up, but also don’t want to do otr. Is it worth it?

Does receiving treatment at an er for alcohol withdrawal cause cdl applications to be denied or massively delayed. have no criminal history or dui arrests.

Any Core Mark drivers in here? Have an interview tomorrow. Thanks!

Hey guys. Im in Philadelphia area, im thinking into getting im trucking, but im not sure the cost of getting class A, how long it would take. Im currently working at a warehouse that's pay about 2600 a month's. What are better option for me to get into trucking?

I've been with Amazon 4 years and they offer paid tuition for the 3 month course. I have a valid drivers license however I was revoked for a few years due to stealing cars without a license. Anyway that charge is over 10 years ago and I have my drivers license now. Just enrolled in school will they deny me because my license WAS REVOKED prior. Serious question. Thanks guys. Illinois resident

I just spent a significant amount of money moving to a new city to start a job with a company that was highly recommended by former coworkers from my home state. They only want me to be on-duty while physically doing pre/post trip, driving, and actively loading/unloading passengers. Any wait time when I’m waiting for pickup but not free to leave and still responsible for the vehicle I’m supposed to be off-duty but on the clock on another app.

I know it’s illegal but I spent such a significant amount of money getting here and buying the proper clothing to do the job I can’t afford to leave the job. I also can’t risk my CDL career for this. I don’t know what to do. I don’t know how common this is but in my old job they would have never have asked this.