Layover.com: For the Love of It

For the Love of It

A number of outstanding questions were sent to me since the last column. Please continue sending questions and I will do my best to answer as many as I can. If I don’t answer your question in the column there is the possibility that a similar one has already been answered in a previous column, so I encourage reviewing the archives when possible. For next month, let me know what your number one concern about the future of trucking is. Thank you for making this column the success that it is.

Before I signed up for CDL training, I made a verbal agreement to sign a contract to perform at a festival that runs twelve weekends from August through October. My CDL training will be completed April 26th. Is it unrealistic to think I could find a company that would hire me in April and give me a leave of absence, or work around my schedule, August through October? I want to perform at this festival and it pays enough that I don't need to work during the week but I don't want to ruin my employability as a OTR trucker. Thanks for the advice!

Unfortunately, I do think it is unreasonable for a carrier to offer you a leave of absence of any length of time when you have been employed for less than a year. I would make the same comment for any job though, not just trucking. It does sound as if this is something you are very interested in doing—both the trucking and the performing—so as you call various carriers, I strongly encourage you to be up front about your request. Do understand, however, that most carriers will be unwilling to be so flexible for three months..

Your best bet might be to find a local driving job instead of an over-the-road job. Local jobs allow a little more flexibility in schedules and because you are not out of town for weeks at a time, it is easier for you to control your personal schedule too. There are local driving jobs that allow for weekends off as well. But, again, the over-the-road jobs simply make it difficult to be home each weekend and I will never recommend quitting a job five months into it. Best of luck.

I am retired and have been driving for the last 20 years for California DOT, so I have a good paycheck coming in monthly. I am now working part time for Ryder driving at night, on call for local runs. I would love to find a company that would let me drive part time local and or over the road but the catch is, I would love to be able take along my grandsons from time to time. I would not mind paying the insurance cost because I drive for the fun of it and not the money. Is there any company that would be willing to let me drive part time and take along the grandkids from time to time? I work really cheap because it is not the money for me it the fun of being on the road.

First, let me say that I absolutely love the enthusiasm and joy you have for driving. The fact that you do not need the money, yet you continue to do it, says a lot about how you feel about the industry. I also appreciate your desire to share this enjoyment with your family. Luckily, there are carriers out there that will indeed work with you.

You need to call carriers in your area and explain the situation. What you are specifically looking for are carriers with passenger policies. Be certain to provide the ages of those you are interested in taking so you can verify they will be eligible. Finding a carrier with a passenger policy is the easy part. The challenging, but not impossible, part is finding a carrier that is willing to hire you part time. There are carriers (I worked for one that is now out of business) that hire “casual drivers”—those who work from time to time over the road or local. It is best if you find a carrier in your local area as it is easiest to pick up and return the truck. It might take some effort, but you should find success!

What is the driving law about how long you can drive without a layover? Also how many hours can you drive in a day?

Excellent question! The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) establishes the rules that govern hours of service and the current rule allows for a 14-hour work day, 11 of which can be driving, and you must take a required 10-hour break. If you are an over-the-road driver, 8 of the 10 hours must be consecutive in the sleeper, the other 2 are more flexible. Hours of service regulations can be found at 49 CFR 395.

If you have more specific questions, I encourage you to contact your company’s safety manager or consult the FMCSA web site where there are links to all safety regulations for the trucking industry.

Drivers' Corner - Ask the Recruiter

For the Love of It