Question:
I dug-up this thread I wrote back in 2003. It’s showing its age and I've edited it for clarity...... but it still strikes me as good advice. I recently did what I preached - I used my perfect CDL record to get a good paying job with a company located where I live, doing the work I want to do, with the kind of folks I want to work with.
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Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2003 7:33 pm Post subject: Protect your CDL
Way back in truck school (it seems like decades ago now) one of our instructors used to say, "protect your CDL". Everyone said yea, sure, whatever.... But it wasn't until later I began to understand what he was really talking about.
Insurance costs are skyrocketing. Even self-insured trucking companies are paying larger settlements and losing bigger court cases as the industry's experience level declines with increasing turnover. Their recourse is more aggressive discrimination against risky drivers - those with problem driving records. Drivers with better-than-average driving records (fewer moving violations) get the better jobs.
Wal-Mart, for example, still offers one of the best wage/benefit packages in the industry. And they won't even look at you if you're driving record isn't way above average. This is typical with most "second-tier" carriers that pay better than average. And of course, a clean CDL record is also a good determiner of other professional characteristics.
So far, this seems like obviously good advice, and you've heard it before. But Newbies, here's what you probably haven't heard:
Striving for "perfect" isn't stressed with newbie companies like Swift, Werner and Schneider (etc). They're basically happy if you only get a moving violation every year or so, and will suggest that's fine with a wink and a nod and "nobody's perfect" or a "siht happens" attitude. And here's why:
1. They've got an endless supply of cheap trainees, and if you get too many tickets to remain employable, replacing you with another newbie's virgin CDL is not a problem -- it's their specialty. Speeding tickets go on your record, not theirs. If you sacrifice your record a bit to make on-time deliver, at least the freight got there as soon as possible.
2. As long as you're carrying one or two speeding tickets on your last five years, there's less chance you'll be able to quit them for a better job. Indeed - there are many drivers with Werner, Swift (etc) who wouldn't even qualify for re-employment if they quit, let alone get a job with Wal-Mart or Crete or Interstate. They are trapped in their current job due to their poor driving record -- and have less recourse for the way they are treated, the loads they're assigned, etc. It's a horrible position for someone who has good reason to quit, but can't get another company to even look at them due to their driving record.
And the sad part is -- most of the chances you take by speeding, tailgating and pushing traffic, weaving in and out or not following posted lane restrictions (etc) only have a small effect on service anyway. Running 4mph over the speed limit for four hours only moves you 16 minutes closer to your destination. If 16 minutes is really that important, you may be able to extract it from time spent at a sit-down meal, or bs'ing with another driver in the parking lot...etc.
If you can't make the delivery on-time, document your progress and keep dispatch informed of your updated eta. If you've done everything legally possible to arrive on-time and still miss the appointment, so be it. Breaking the law is not worth the risk it poses to your future job choices (and a host of other potential problems.)
And lastly, there's little paycheck advantage by squeezing a few more miles into your line-3 time, when you end-up paying a huge fine, lose better job opportunities, or possibly lose your legal right to drive at all.
So when your first newbie company explains how important your driving record is, but also suggests one or two tickets isn't a problem.... everybody does it.... it comes with the territory... and that's just the way trucking is....
Don't buy it.
You've got a virgin CDL. Keep it clean. Leave room for an unintentional mistake. Never voluntarily drive a speed that makes you fair game for a ticket, or knowingly break other laws that could damage your future job options for years to come. One unintended violation on top of a stupid decision can cost you the opportunity to make $20,000 more a year in a better job down the road.
In short: "Everybody" does not get tickets, and they are a big deal.
Protect your CDL.
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.http://www.weather.gov/forecasts/graphical/sect...onusWeek.php#tabs

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The best and most simple advice is to learn to say NO. If you can't do it legally and easily just turn it down.

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Good Advice in there...thank you for taking the time to 'dig this back up' ..........sometimes it's good to see this kind of stuff, some things a lot don't think about just starting out.........

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You're welcome, driver. http://www.weather.gov/forecasts/graphical/sect...onusWeek.php#tabs

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Too bad it isn't posted on the main page as you enter the website.

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http://www.weather.gov/forecasts/graphical/sect...onusWeek.php#tabs

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http://www.weather.gov/forecasts/graphical/sect...onusWeek.php#tabs

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Who's responsible if you're with a trainer and they have you drive illegal? Remember, you are learning. That's why you're with a trainer.

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I would do what I could to get rid of the trainer after all its your license not theirs this includes going to see a LEO.

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Assume we all know the answer;
The driver is legally responsible for any legal infraction -- and any accident, for that matter....
.http://www.weather.gov/forecasts/graphical/sect...onusWeek.php#tabs

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If you know they are having you drive illegal then you know it is illegal so you get to pay when your caught.

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Protecting your livelyhood (CDL) should be common sense to begin with.
Shouldnt need an essay on the subject.
However judging by the things that I observe on the highway, an essay is indeed needed.

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http://www.weather.gov/forecasts/graphical/sect...onusWeek.php#tabs