[jwholden]

Called about the course today.

Class B is reasoble around 12-1500. Class A & B as one would run around 4100, and I would learn to drive on a 40' trailer (the woman at the school assured me that the bigger ones are easier to drive than the 16 footer I haul my Bobcat with). Hey, answer 10 more questions and I can drive doubles and triples.

The class B course includes taking two tests, class A three tests. I wonder if that is an indication of the level of difficulty?

No wonder the guys with a class A & B don't work. They deserve it!

[PSUscaper]

JW....

that's alot of money to spend on a truck driving class.

I would find a friend with a big truck and trailer and get him to give you the class.

The written test is a breeze. Studied for about 2 hours, and passed the air brake, the combination, and the basic knowledge sections, which is all that is needed to get the class A.

As for the road test, find someone who has just taking it. They do the same thing, ask the same questions every time.

I cannot imagine spending 4k to have someone teach me how to walk around a truck and a say.......

"I'm checking the front right tire for proper pressure....I'm checking the rim for any damage.....I'm checking the lug nuts to see if they are loose.....I'm checking the tire tread depth, I'm checking rim for any 'rust' runs,.........Know I'm checking the right rear tir for proper pressure, I'm checking the rim for any damage...I'm checking the lug nuts to see if they are loose.......etc. etc. etc. etc.

You just have to be completely anal for the test.......go over EVERYTHING on it......tell them the windshield has a bug splat and ask if they want you to clean it off........just be rediculously thorough and eventually the tester will tell you to shut up and get the hell in the truck to take the road test.

From your posts hear, I think your samart enough not to put yourself through the painfull agony of sitting in a class where some idiot will be asking questions like "can you tell me where the brake pedal is again?"

steve

[scl]

Penn beat me to it on this one LOL. Grab a CDL book at the local DMV, rip through it a couple of nights, and take your permit tests. Takes about an hour for gen, air brakes, and combos. Then you've got like a year to find someone to get you there and use a truck. You don't have to spend $4K, if you must offer the guy who owns the truck and will take you there a fraction of that and let them turn you down. I took all three tests at one sitting and the clerk(can they be called that?) seemed real surprised. Said that most don't do that, and even fewer passed on the first attempt. I aced one and did well on the other two. I'm no brain surgeon so I figure you could do it LOL. $4K to let someone else drive around in your truck a little... I think I work too hard!

[site]

There are some frienly guys that hang out at the weigh station in York, Maine and dispense lessons on complying with DOT regulations. Their only requirement for entry is that you drive a commercial vehicle with a GCVW of 10,000+ lbs. They LOVE landscapers. Each tidbit of information is $125. I especially liked the one about no pinholes in exhaust ($125), or needing a special hanger to secure the fire extinguisher laying behind the seat to the wall ($125). I also liked the one called drivers must wear seatbelts ($125). My favorite was the safety chains that came as original equipment on your trailer do not meet DOT spec's ($125). Two years ago I took $3,000 worth of these lessons. I learned a lot.

[PSUscaper]

I think the bottom line is this.

Unless your going to commit the rest of your life to studying, memorizing, and executing proper DOT procedures, you're never going to get around the fact that when you get pulled over, there is going to be something wrong. It's just a matter of how big a 'prick' the inspector is.

DOT fines are just another item to factor into your 'other expenses' column in your daily operating costs. Just do what you can, and not worry about it. I think we have matters of much graver importance to think about in our business.

Hey, JW.....if you are interested, I'm running a DOT class this winter.....its only 2k for the class A certifcation (a real bargain!) You can drive a tandem during every snowstorm around a parking lot moving snow for the road experience, and while you are getting loaded, I provide a current copy of the examination book and, for one time only........a dome light in the truck so you can study up for the written. Just bring your driver's licencse, birth certificate, SS card, and a few changes of underwear. Please send you non-refundable deposit too.........................

steve

[Paul]

pennscapes, there I think your wrong! proper maintance can and will get you thru 85% of the DOT checks. Drivers Checks can get you thru 100%. We use driver check lists and daily logs along with a computer program that informs me of all checks and maintance that should be done and when to do them. Little things like trailer battery checks, wheel bearing and brake check. they all can be programed so you don't forget.

Safety on the road means a more productive crew and better apperance of your company. Your crews will understand once they don't get tickets being stopped on the road. They will also take more pride while driving your trucks.

[dan deutekom]

I have to admit DOT inspectors can get a little anal. I always inspect my truck in the morning, fill in the logs etc. Once got stopped and put through a full inspection. |I was confident that they would not find anything wrong. Well my air pressure warning light wouldn't come on when the air pressure dropped. (worked fine in the morning inspection) I found the problem while they were finishing the inspection. The connector fell off of the switch. They wouldn't let me fix it because it had to be a certified mechanic only to work on brake related parts, wouldn't let me drive the truck because it was to dangerous, and I was fined to boot. All this because of 25 cent spade connector fell off during the day. I have heard stories from other drivers that they had problems because they didn't have a spare bottle of windshield washer fluid in the truck and once I was fined 155.00 because I missed signing my daily trip sheet in one of the 3 signature areas. Truck cops arn't even mechanics but they overrule even the engineers that design the vehicles once the truck is on the road. How about a 450.00 fine for not having the company name on a vehicle while it was being driven to the paint shop for a new paint job and signage. Luckily the judge threw that one out.

[PSUscaper]

Paul,

I agree with you, and will say I may have shot the gate on what I said.

One of the biggest problems I have is that I feel many of these laws are geared towards big business.

I mean, you are exponentially bigger than me in business size.
I don't have 10, 20, 50, 100 employees. I don't have a secretary. I don't have a crew leader. I don't even have a labor somedays!

So, speaking for the small guys..........how am I, little ole landscaper......on top of going on estimates, putting together bids, doing landscape designs, ordering materials, and oh ya, installing the jobs, suppose to figure another hour every morning into my schedule just so I can check and see if my fire extiguisher has the proper bracket.

This is the problem..........Like many things these days, these DOT regulations are so stringent that you have to have such things as computerized log books and maintenance schedules.
Theres just no way that's going to happen.

I'm all for being safe, and do what I can. I am extremely consciencous of what I do and what could happen.

If 1 out of 6 tires on my truck fails to meet regulation tread thickness, am I going to replace it..........hell no. The other five are brand new.

I think it is the honest truth to say that DOT regulations are very discrimatory in reference to small business.

steve

[jwholden]

A friend of mine was pulled over by the DOT guys twice. Local, not a weigh station.

The first time they informed him that he had to have a medical card if he was driving a truck over 18,000 lbs. The inspector told him to get the exam and then bring it to court to get the ticket taken care of.

The guy looked over his clean, and yearly inspected truck, and recommended he carry spare fuses. The guys weren't that bad, and he tried to remain as calm as you can when you know that you are at these guys mercy (praying the wife went easy on him that morning).

The second time he was driving down the highway and the inspector stepped out into the slow lane to get him on the shoulder. The inpsector asked why he wasn't wearing a seat belt, nervouse response 'good question'. The inspector opened the door and checked the inspection certificate inside the door, didn't even ask for the medical card, and said put your seatbelt on and get going.

I have heard that they go easy on the local guys but you better not be an out of towner when they get you.

Frankly, it always seems to be the guys driving the beater trucks who try to save $100 on an annual inspection who bitch about the inspectors. However, it seems to be a lot of crap to go through if you are not going to be using the truck, or trailer, daily.

[site]

I complain about the DOT guys, but I am glad they exist. Here is my problem though. After my first encounter with the DOT I asked where I could learn about the rules and regulations. They do not offer any classes. Then I asked if they could come by and do an inspection of my trucks to let me know what I might be missing. They said if they do an audit and find any violations they would not allow the truck to drive anywhere until it was repaired. They said "The last thing you want us to do is come do an audit". I took there advice, and started stitching together tidbits of knowledge on my own. I also traded in two old trucks for brand new ones and started upping the maintenance. Knowing these guys I'm sure there are more fines in my future, although I will do my best to comply and stay safe.

[jwholden]

Pennscapes,

Does that offer include all the Mcdonalds and Dunking Donuts coffee I want?

[Stonehenge]

Isn't that something. I got the same story from an OSHA rep who presented at our landscape assoc meeting a year ago. I asked 'What happens if you come do a friendly audit and find a problem? Then what?'

He grinned (that's the part that ticked me off) and said 'we wouldn't allow you to continue doing any work until you remedied whatever was wrong.' Ok, I'm thinking - I guess then Mr. OSHA should not be confused when nobody takes him up on his offer of free, scheduled inspections.

[PSUscaper]

Some new info for a old subject...............

A few weeks ago I bought a ford f700 with a 28000lb gvw and air brakes. I've been figuring out the best way to register it, so decided to go right to the source. I stopped down a the state police and got information right from the inspector.

For the state of NJ, here is what I learned.

First of all, in the state of nj, I was wrong in thinking that you have to know the manufacturers rated trailer rating for the vehicle.....THIS MAY BE DIFFERENT IN YOUR STATE THOUGH.

I first asked if I could register my truck at a weight under 26000lbs and get away with no CDL..........this was a big NO. If the door sticker is over 26000lbs, then you have to have a cdl. Even if I register the truck less than 26000, I still need a cdl.

Next, I asked what was the maximum registered weight I could have on the truck.....this was 28000lbs, the same as on the sticker............pretty simple.

Then, I asked what was the maximum weight I could register the truck and trailer at.........this amazed me...........he said 80000lb!!!!!!

Basically, nj has no rules or regulations on max. trailer weight. I have a trailer rated at 18000 total weight (load and trailer weight).......so, by law, I can legally register my truck at 46000lbs.......which means I can legally load my truck to capacity, load the trailer to capacity, and drive them both at the same time legally. Paul was right on this one.......but again, I would check your local state regs as they may be checking the manufacturers ratings for trailer rate.

The real kicker is, If I so desired..........I could go out, and buy a trailer with a gvrw of 52000lbs, register my truck at 80000lbs, and legally pull that trailer loader WHILE having the truck loaded..............this is of course crazy........But, legal!

Last of all, a big help.

For the information regarding all this, he gave me the place to buy the SAME code book that he carries with him on routine inspections.

The book is named the 'Federal Motor Carrier Safety Handbook'

It can be purchased at the website www.jjkeller.com

or, can be ordered by phone at 1-877-564-2333

maybe this may help re-clarify things,,,,,,,,well, at least for the state of nj

[Stonehenge]

Steve, Thanks for the info!!

I'm surprised to hear they use a publication from JJ Keller on inspections (JJ Keller is located about 15 minutes from my home).

I have about 5 copies of that handbook, but honestly never got around to making the guys read it...too much time away from production.

BTW, congrats on the new truck!! You'll have to post a pic.

[jwholden]

Then, I asked what was the maximum weight I could register the truck and trailer at.........this amazed me...........he said 80000lb!!!!!!

So the state guys made NO mention of a class A CDL for a trailer over 10K pounds?

Would they have busted you on the spot if you drove up asking those questions in your new truck with no CDL?