Well been driving for my local Ready Mix plant for almost 2 months now, an so far so good. Still trying to get the mixing process down and making sure im leaving the yard with the right slump, kinda got a feel for it now though I think. I tell ya its sure different then driving otr thats for sure. About the online version of the NYS Driver's Manual. The online version contains Parts 2 and 3 (Chapters 4 through 12) of the printed manual. 1 Chapters 4 through 11 include material you must know to pass the DMV written test for a Class D, DJ or E learner permit. The chapters have interactive quizzes with actual test questions.
Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers transport goods from one location to another. Most tractor-trailer drivers are long-haul drivers and operate trucks with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) capacity of more than 26,000 pounds. These drivers deliver goods over intercity routes, sometimes spanning several states.
DutiesHeavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers typically do the following:
- Drive long distances
- Report to a dispatcher any incidents encountered on the road
- Follow all applicable traffic laws
- Inspect their trailers before and after the trip, and record any defects they find
- Maintain a log of their working hours, following all federal and state regulations
- Report serious mechanical problems to the appropriate personnel
- Keep their trucks and associated equipment clean and in good working order
Most heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers’ routes are assigned by a dispatcher, but some independent drivers still plan their own routes. They may use satellite tracking to help them plan.
A driver must know which roads allow trucks and which do not. Drivers also must plan legally required rest periods into their trip. Some drivers have one or two routes that they drive regularly, and others drivers take many different routes throughout the country. Also, some drivers have routes that include Mexico or Canada.
Companies sometimes use two drivers, known as teams, on long runs in order to minimize downtime. On these team runs, one driver sleeps in a berth behind the cab while the other drives.
Certain cargo requires drivers to adhere to additional safety regulations. Some heavy truck drivers who transport hazardous materials, such as chemical waste, must take special precautions when driving, and may carry specialized safety equipment in case of an accident. Other drivers, such as those carrying liquids, oversized loads, or cars, must follow rules that apply specifically to them.
Some long-haul truck drivers, called owner–operators, buy or lease trucks and go into business for themselves. In addition to their driving tasks, owner-operators also have business tasks, including finding and keeping clients and doing administrative work, such as accounting.
Wellll, I just felt the need to post a little FYI for all of you gals. It seems difficult to find enough industry related knowledge these days. Truly, it's in our best interest, as women, to continually seek and find it, as it may relate to our particular life situations. Where can you go to get the nuts & bolts backstory you need to make sound judgements? That is why I like this website so much; it allows us to share.
I was a cement dry bulk hauler for 6 months after I graduated with my CDL last year. I switched to Readymix trucking for 3 months. Now I'm preparing to move to aggregate hauling; (super solo or doubles rock hauler.)
But: A note about the world of Readymix trucking, (in case you're noticing all the job vacancies for it right now)...
1. It pays very well but is highly seasonal.2. Even in 'the season', the job sites, scheduling, and dispatching change on a DIME. 3. When it's cold, raining, rainy, or even too hot, no one pours concrete. You might not work.4. Every day concrete splatters all over your rig and you only have so much time to rinse it off before it becomes...guess what? ;p5. Once it becomes THAT, the only way to remove it is by spraying it down with acid, chipping and scraping it with a paint scraper, or flat out hammering it off with a hammer.6. Setting up your chutes to offload is easy. Hanging your chutes back up on their rack is also easy if you are tall. If not, you compensate like me by guiding each chute up onto the rack with one thigh. I've acquired an impressive collection of black and blue hematomas across both thighs from doing this. Not good.7. If you're 5'4' or shorter, it's going to be hard to scrape your chute, clean your rear videocam, rinse, scrape, or hammer your hopper, jam a steel 'candycane' hose into your water tank, and just plain pop the hood with no front step on the bumper.
Not saying these things can't be done because there is always a way. Just saying you're in for some extra work.
Cheers! ;D