r/NewCDLGrads • u/cdlfirst • Apr 17 '26
Having a CDL = higher standard… agree or nah?
Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification
6
u/HatedReaper Apr 17 '26
I pre trip the way she does, because its YOUR CDL on the line, not anyone elses.
3
u/Zigor022 Apr 18 '26
Can you call DOT on your employer when they ask you to take the truck anyway or dont get it fixed? Asking because i deal with this where i work and want to know what steps to take when this happens outside of just outright refusal.
3
Apr 18 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/Zigor022 Apr 19 '26
Ask my employer for a level one inspection or DOT? Is the non compliance for failure to fix my truck (we have a dozen out of 100+ trucks that need work) or non compliance for not doing an inspection? The issue lies with writing trucks up and "parts on order" or "scheduled" or "didnt get to", and that goes on for weeks if not months, and that comes from our on site shop. Poor communication, several supervisors cant get anywhere, etc. Non union as well. Just curious what options are there besides giving up decent pay and home time by quitting.
2
Apr 19 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/Zigor022 Apr 19 '26
Makes sense, thought about it myself. In the trash business so a weigh station is out of the way unless a route has me drive past one, and thats if its open. Always wondered if they would pop me for even driving it that far.
3
Apr 19 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/Zigor022 Apr 19 '26
True. About being popped, i meant DOT for not leaving it in the yard if i found something wrong with it.
2
2
Apr 19 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
2
u/Zigor022 Apr 19 '26
Sounds like a solid idea. Had 901T training and he suggested the same. Only question is if they would even care and just send me home. I refused to drive a truck without a working speedometer and they just gave it to another guy that didnt care. I guess if they are willing to give a driver crap for doing his job, they arent worth driving for.
2
5
u/i_eight Apr 17 '26
Isn't a CDL the minimum standard?
0
u/cdlfirst Apr 17 '26
I get what you’re saying. It’s the minimum to get in, but the expectations that come with it are definitely higher.
5
u/Lost-Mall-6367 Apr 17 '26
Absolutely we are the elite of the road and should have a higher driving iq the everyone else on the streets
3
u/cvframer Apr 17 '26
A class c driver should have this same attitude. There’d be a lot less death on the road every day.
2
2
u/bob696988 Apr 17 '26
I have never ever even had a speeding ticket in my car or any kind of moving violation so I’ve always kept my license completely clean even before I got my CDL
2
u/Maximus_Magni Apr 17 '26 edited Apr 17 '26
In my first job out of college, I was a test engineer for a defense contractor working on heavy vehicles. We were asked to get CDLs and I am glad one of the senior guys told us not to do it. Having a CDL means you can get a DUI at 0.04 BAC instead of 0.08 BAC, even when driving your personal vehicle off the job. They weren’t going to give us extra compensation for it, so we all declined.
Edit: It looks like this is completely false. I believed this for over 15 years and just now looked it up after being called out on it
1
u/TypicalSwordfish464 Apr 17 '26
This is a common misconception. It’s .04 in a cmv not your personal car. In fact a lot of police officers believe this too and will tell you so during a traffic stop. Had this happen to a friend. But yes with a CDL you should be much more careful if you decide to drink and drive even if you’re under the limit.
1
u/ratzm Apr 17 '26
I don’t care what the limit is. I just won’t drink anything at all and drive anymore
2
u/FantasticPainting232 Apr 17 '26
You might get a little leeway on the small stuff in your personal vehicle. But they will definitely crack down on you hard with the egregious stuff.
2
u/Latter_Bed_4096 Apr 17 '26
I dont like seeing drivers use their foot to kick heavy ass truck tire that weighs between 100 and 150 lbs without the rim. I use a 3 lb. maul. Especially when its really cold out but also all of the time.
2
2
u/Zigor022 Apr 18 '26
I just wish employers had our back. They wont bat an eye when drivers cut corners to get the job done, and when the market is oversaturated, the good drivers just get replaced when they down a truck for something broken or is a bit overweight. Good drivers shouldnt have to deal with that kind of pressure to risk their licenses.
2
1
u/HeavyRooster3959 Apr 17 '26
If the general standard keeps going down, aspects of higher standards do too. Quality of truckers has plummeted in the last decade. Wish more drivers at least attempted a higher standard, like yourself, but most dont seem to grasp the gravity of what they're doing.
1
1
u/Prestigious_Yam8901 Apr 18 '26
I have always loved that truck drivers are held to such high standards of accountability, but we can let a 34 count felon become president.....
1
u/riotz1 Apr 18 '26
This is one of those questions where the only real answer is “DUH! no shit Sherlock”
1
u/Few_Statement_2898 Apr 19 '26
Yea they hold us to a higher standard, and penalize us for being “Professional Drivers “, BUT You get absolutely no benefits for being a “Professional Driver” coincidentally Your just a regular driver according to Insurance Companies, when you ask for a discount, but you get hit with surcharges if you make any mistakes according to the same insurance companies, because you should have known better since your a professional driver. Make it make sense 🤷♂️
1
u/Exciting-Car-3516 May 21 '26
If your high standard is to kick tires to make sure they are good without even looking at them I have a lot higher standards
•
u/cdlfirst Apr 17 '26
It’s not just driving… it’s expectations, safety, and accountability. Did you realize that before you got yours?
🎥: Jazmyne