How to get a California CDL
Here’s a YouTube video on how to get a Class A if you’re interested in getting into the trucking industry. Although federal guidelines make most regulations mandatory across the board, some states may have a different process so be sure to research your state. 🪪
Here are the steps in a nutshell:
DOT Physical ✅
Written Test ✅
Obtain Permit ✅
Enroll in Trucking School or Get Employed by a Carrier will to provide paid training. ✅
Schedule DMV Appointment for Skills and Road Test. ✅
Obtain CDL. ✅
These are the 6 steps that I took to get my Class A. In this video the trucker mentions she didn’t know you needed a DOT physical to get a permit. That also happened to me so I had to reschedule my DMV appointment delaying the process. I couldn’t even take the exam without providing my medical certificate. Other documents I needed were my Birth Certificate, Driver’s License, Social Security Card, Two Utility Bills or Proof of Residency. ✅
The process also took my 3 months because of delays such as Covid. I also recommend that you don’t take any of the endorsements until after you get your CDL. 🚛
Any questions, comments, or concerns feel free to drop a comment. ⤵️
Electric Trucks
Here’s a video of the electric truck I use called the BYD. We are the first company to test these trucks in California. Apparently these electric trucks will be mandatory in the ports in 2027. I’m not sure how this will play out, but I believe it will have a negative impact on any company trying to implement them in their operations. 🚛⚡️
I spend the first two hours of my shift charging my trucks to get it to 100%. I’ve gotten stranded twice because my tractor wouldn’t go into drive because the pressure was to low. There is a support line to call, but the support line never answers. It also takes 40% of my battery life to travel 60 miles with a loaded trailer. Another 20-30 percent to drive back with an empty container. Some of these drivers barely make it back with only 13% battery life. 🪫
I can say this is really an interesting experiment this company is implementing. Although I’ve been experiencing negative results, it is fun knowing we are creating history here in California. ✅
Any questions, comments, or concerns, feel free to drop a comment. 🤔
Should You Work in a Warehouse
Here’s a video of a YouTuber explaining the Pros and Cons of working in a warehouse. As a former warehouse worker for 15+ years, this gentleman is spot on in elaborating on what it’s like to work in a warehouse. 🦺
Some positives of working in a warehouse are; easy to get in to, overtime, benefits, felony friendly, and opportunities for growth. ✅
Some negatives are; laborious, demanding, low wages, cap on salary, and in some cases there can be glass ceilings. ❌
I did a lot of warehouse work because I was in and out of prison and these types of jobs were the only ones employing felons. I did work my way up from a lumper to management. I also took advantage of a tuition reimbursement program earning two business degrees and two professional certifications which was life changing for me. If you’re going to work in a warehouse take advantage of any opportunities you see such as a tuition reimbursement program, or the opportunity to move up to a leadership position. Lateral moves to another department can also be beneficial. 👨🎓
Any questions, comments, or concerns feel free to drop a comment. 🤔
Free Trucking School in California
Here’s a video of a YouTuber providing a step by step process on how to get trucking school paid for by the state of California. 🚛
Trucking school cost me $3,000 in Los Angeles, so I know this information could be very helpful with someone wanting to start a career in the trucking industry. ✅
If you can’t afford to pay for trucking school and don’t want to sign an employment contract with a carrier, this is another avenue you may want to take advantage of. I’m pretty sure most states have this resource, so I highly recommend calling your local unemployment office to find out if paid trucking school is available in your region. ☎️
Questions, comments, or concerns; feel free to drop a comment. ⤵️
Hazmat Loads
If you never delivered a Hazmat load, here’s a video of what the process is like. 🚛
Verify your BOL and Dangerous Goods form match the trailer and seal number. ✅
Verify you have the appropriate placards and place them on all four sides of the trailer. ✅
Verify you have the emergency contact information just in case there’s an accident. ✅
Place your Dangerous Goods form in the Hazmat booklet in the appropriate page where first responders can locate the type of Hazmat you are hauling. ✅
Place the Hazmat booklet on your driver’s side door panel. ✅
Be sure your Hazmat endorsement is valid. Hauling Hazardous material without the endorsement is a crime and you will lose your CDL and possibly face jail time or fines. ✅
Getting your Hazmat endorsement will get you a higher pay rate so I always recommend getting this endorsement. You can get your Hazmat endorsement if you have a felony conviction, it just has to be over 7 years old. I have a felony conviction for attempted murder and was able to get my Hazmat endorsement and TSA clearance. ☣️
Any questions feel free to drop a comment. 🤔
Hours of Service
Here’s a video of the “Hours of Service” a commercial driver must adhere to whenever he/she is on duty. The hours of service are tracked via e-log so there is no way to falsify the drive time. If the DOT or Highway Patrol catches a driver not logging into their e-log, it will go on a driver’s record with potentially losing or suspending their CDL. 🪪
Local drivers generally don’t have to worry about driving over 11 hours, this is mainly for over the road drivers since they get compensated by load or cents per mile. From my own personal experience, my former employer had me falsify my manual logs which I ended up reporting to the FMCSA. I was a new driver and didn’t know the severity of falsifying the driver’s logs. If an employer tells you to falsify your driver’s log, report it to the FMCSA. At the end of the day it’s your responsibility as a commercial driver to know and understand all the federal regulations that come with the trucking industry. So it’s your duty to adhere to them or face the penalties that come with breaking them. 🕰️
Tuition Reimbursement
Here’s a video of 5 companies that offer tuition reimbursement to their employees. Walmart, Target, Starbucks, Boeing, and T-Mobile are the 5 companies talked about in this video. Some of these companies do have requirements that are explained in the video.
I highly recommend that if your company offers tuition reimbursement, take advantage of it. I was fortunate enough to work for a company that offered tuition reimbursement. I was able to obtain a B.A. in Organizational Management, A.A. in Business Management, Six Sigma certification, and PMP certification all for free. What’s really nice is that I don’t have to worry about paying back my student loans that has many Americans struggling financially.
Commercial Driver’s License
If you’re interested in a career as a “Commercial Driver”, here are the steps that I took to get my Class A license. 🪪 Each step must be followed or you will have to reschedule your DMV appointments. ✅
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. Any questions feel free to ask. 🤔
*** Lunch Breaks***
This video is addressing lunch breaks in Washington because they tried to enforce a law that forces truck drivers to take their lunch before their 5th hour of their start time. FMCSA enforces and regulates federal laws which trump any state laws. Apparently the FMCSA stepped in and quashed the lunch break law Washington was trying to impose on the trucking industry. 🥗
Now this is interesting because here in California us truck drivers actually do have to take our lunch before the 5th hour. My former employer that I just resigned from actually just got hit with a class action wage claim because of this. For some reason California was able to trump federal law and enact this 5th hour meal break period in the trucking industry. I can tell you from my own personal experience, I get stuck in the ports from time to time for 6-8 hours and it’s impossible for me to take a lunch break before the 5th hour. It can be an inconvenience at times as a truck driver myself. 🚛
What are your thoughts on this meal break period for truck drivers? 🥪 🤔