Q:
I was off the road for 3 years. I have 14 years , no break in service, before that 3 year sebatical. I'm being told by the trucking companies that my previous truck driving experience is great but I will have to take a refresher course now to get back on the road. Is this true of all trucking companies?

A:
Unfortunately this is true with 99% of the trucking companies today. The day of the rouge companies we usually refer to as "outlaws" is just about over who didn't pay much attention to rules. Many of them have gone out of business. Insurance requires that every Class A truck driver be well familiar with the current laws and changes. 3 years off the road is considered too long to be up to date.

Q:
I haven't got a hazmat endorsement. Seems like a lot of trucking companies today are requiring hazmat even if you don't pull that kind of load. What's the deal? Truck driver jobs use to be simpler to get!

A:
Some time prior to the recession, that the trucking industry starting feeling three years back, even if you haul hairspray or dry goods, insurance companies & the DOT became more aggressive about having hazmat for all big rig truck drivers. Turns out it's helped save money for all concerned with the payload so we might even see that endorsement become a requirement for any type of freight load. Truck drivers have to assume if something saves the trucking community money, it might cost the trucker a little extra to comply but it will, in the long run, be a benefit to the driver too.