Here are the California DMV questions and answers for a Class A CDL air brake endorsement test. These apply to any state, but you can always YouTube the state you live in.
Tuition Reimbursement
I would like to share the importance of working for a company that offers tuition reimbursement for degrees and certificates. If you work for a company that offers a tuition reimbursement program I highly recommend taking advantage of that opportunity so you can grow your career. When you get an education you will allow yourself to move out of those entry level positions and into a management role. Not only will you move up the organizational ladder, you will have zero student loan debt which is a huge financial problem for a lot of college graduates.
From my own experience I was fortunate enough to work for an employer that offered a tuition reimbursement program after one year of working for them. They paid for my B.A. In Organizational Management, A.A. in Business Management, Six Sigma and PMP certificates. I was able to achieve all these credentials and not pay a dime out of my pocket. I have zero student loan debt. Although I’m a Commercial Driver now, when I was working in warehouses I was able to get myself out of those pesky entry level positions and into a management role. I’ve seen people stuck in the same position for 10+ years and that’s not something I wanted to fall into. So if you’re a job seeker, look for a company that offers tuition reimbursement and take advantage of it. I can guarantee you it’s life changing that will advance your career, provide financial growth, and most importantly boost your morale and confidence.
Some companies that offer tuition reimbursement are Amazon, UPS, and Target. If you can land a job at any of those companies I suggest you get those free credentials. Amazon offers the best tuition reimbursement program that allows you to pursue degrees and certifications outside of their scope of business. Some certificates they allow you pursue are aircraft mechanics, computer-aided design, medical lab technologies, and nursing. Keep in mind these occupations are in high-demand and will compensate you well. You want to target industries that have a shortage of skilled workers for you to earn a high salary. Make yourself valuable.
“How to get a CDL”
As a CDL holder myself, I went through some obstacles and delays trying to get my CDL because there are some very important details that only someone with a CDL can tell you. Whether you’re getting a Class A,B, or C CDL, these are the exact steps you need to take in order obtain a CDL. Keep in mind you cannot just go to trucking school or get paid training by a mega carrier without a permit. You also cannot get a permit without getting a DOT physical from an urgent care. You need a medical certificate before you can even take the knowledge test at the DMV. With that being said here are the steps that I took to get my CDL. 🚛
The first thing you need to do is study for the CDL. Download the DMV study guide from their website. I also recommend downloading the CDL prep app. It’s free and has the same questions as the DMV test. When you are ready to take the air brake and knowledge test, make a DMV appointment. Before your appointment you’ll need a DOT physical from an urgent care. Not all urgent cares offer DOT physicals, so call and find out which one does. They are generally $100 for a medical certificate. When your DMV appointment arrives, take your birth certificate, ID, medical certificate, and two utility bills that prove you live at your residence.
After passing your test you’ll receive a Class A permit and you can either pay $3,000 to enroll in trucking school which is 27 courses 1 hour each course, or you can apply for a trucking company that will provide paid training. Takes around 2-4 months to get your CDL from start to finish depending on the pace you set for yourself. Any other questions feel free to ask.
(FN) Do not take any endorsements, only take the knowledge and air brake test. Studying for any endorsements will only cause information overload. Get your endorsements after you obtain your CDL.
Certifications & Endorsements
If you want to earn top dollar as a commercial driver you’ll have to get all your endorsements and certifications. These endorsements carry extra responsibilities, but they are definitely worth it. I currently have all my endorsements that allow me to make 100k annually. I have my hazmat, tankers, doubles & triples, and my TWIC card. All these endorsements not only make me more money, they also make me more valuable and flexible to all companies in the trucking industry.
But there is one certification that you cannot get through the DMV and that is an “Overweight Certificate”. This certification is through any company that hauls overweight. A company that deals with overweight will train and certify you as well as provide an overweight tractor that has to have (4 axles). Overweight is considered anything over 59,000lbs and you must adhere to any special routes/corridors enforced by the city. I was a little nervous when I got my first overweight load, but after my first haul I realized it’s no different than any other load and was actually quicker and a lot more convenient transporting out of the ports.
Although I haul hazmat and overweight weekly it varies day by day, but when I do I make $60 per hour. These incentives vary from state to state and carrier to carrier, but I work for a really good company that takes care of their employees. I make a decent salary by making myself more valuable and taking the time and effort to get certified. If you are looking to get your CDL feel free to ask any questions.
(FN) I have attached a photo of my semi hauling an overweight load out of the Long Beach ports In California. 🚛🚢
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“Commercial Driver Salaries”
The average truck driver salary in the United States is $83,158 per year. However, it may vary depending on the type of truck that you drive. I will be posting about several commercial vehicles that will earn you top pay for the next couple of weeks. Keep in mind the more pay, the responsibilities, endorsements, and certifications you will need.
Oversized loads, also known as over-dimension loads, exceed the standard legal dimensions set by federal regulations. As a result, oversized haulers must display a higher than average skill in maneuvering loads such as construction equipment, wind turbines, mobile homes, and industrial machinery. These drivers must follow additional regulations that specify the routes and times of day these loads are legally allowed to move. As a result, an escort crew is often required, and some companies require the driver to hire their escort team.
Because these large items are usually quite expensive, additional insurance and other precautions are required. A higher compensation for the driver behind the wheel of these behemoth loads comes with the territory.
Oversized loads average around $71,000 a year, but depending on the state you work in you could earn more. I know in California these commercial drivers earn six figures easily.
#truckdrivers #jobsearch #commercialvehicles #career #jobcase
I have worked in food and beverage, medical, warehouse and security. . My current issue is I really am interested in a driving job at the moment. Preferably something dayshift, where I can pick my truck/vehicle up at the start of my shift and be on the road for majority of the day without having to return to the restaurant or the store to retrieve my next order. My issue I am running into is I don't have any driving experience. How am I supposed to get experience if no one will hire me without experience?? Please send and tips you have for me my way as in in pa and at a career hault due to lack of interest... #advice #application #noexperiance #career #unsure #growingup #adult #forever #work #help #drivers #
High Center of Gravity
Yesterday when I was en route to my destination to deliver a load I encountered some traffic that was caused by a commercial driver. He was going to fast getting off the ramp which caused his truck to tip over. If the speed limit is 35mph going off the ramp you should go 25mph, especially if you have a loaded container. Semi trucks have a high center of gravity which makes it easier for it to tip over.
Drivers tend to get complacent or are in a rush and forget the basic fundamentals of driving a semi. This man was lucky no one was injured or died at the scene. It’s also very likely he will get fired and have this on his record for 50 years if it is declared a major accident. If his driving record has no violations he will be able to salvage his career and work for another company in a few months. For any drivers out there, take your time and get to your destination without any incidents. Everyone has a family they want to get home to and we are responsible for that when we are on the road.
Commercial Driver Salaries
There are several ways commercial drivers can be compensated, but I will discuss the three main salaries drivers look for in their job search.
(Pay per mile), often listed as CPM (cents per mile) is one of the most common types of pay across the trucking industry. CPM is generally for Over The Road drivers that generally driver 300-700 on a daily bases. I have seen companies offer anywhere from 65 cents a mile to $5.00 a mile. These drivers tend to drive 2,500 miles a week minimum.
(Pay Per Load) is the least common type of driver base pay, it is generally best suited to carriers specializing in agriculture, oil, and gas industries, or local deliveries. With this pay scale, your drivers earn a flat rate of pay for each load they deliver regardless of hours or miles. Pay Per Load is used in the ports and can be good or be bad depending on the wait times at the ports.
(Hourly Pay) is a familiar standard in many industries, it’s not quite so common in trucking. Hourly pay is typically utilized by intrastate carriers that deliver their goods from point to point within a range of 150 miles or less from their hub. This pay structure is often offered by grocery chains, and retail chains of warehousing businesses such as UPS, and FedEx. Companies that offer hourly work often expect more from their drivers than just driving. Typical responsibilities include loading and unloading freight, direct customer interactions, and multiple stops per run.
I personally get paid hourly and I wouldn’t accept any other payment type for lots of reasons I have experienced with my own eyes. Pay Per Mile and Pay Per Load drivers always seem to be in a rush and stressed out when we get delayed inside the ports. They drive reckless and do not take lunches because they just want to make as much money as possible. I don’t ever want to put safety before money because someone can get seriously injured or die because a driver wants to be in a rush. I can always tell how a driver gets compensated by the way they drive.
As a commercial driver how would you want to get paid?
GOOD MORNING! CHECK OUT THE JOB BOARD TODAY FOR ALL THE NEW POSTED JOBS THIS WEEK!
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YOU GO THIS! BEST OF LUCK TO EVERYONE. #jobsearch #interview #hiringnews #motivation #job #career