What To Take

You have your CDL in your hot little hands and you're off to orientation and working with a trainer. What do you take with you? Remember that the storage space in a truck is limited and you will be sharing that limited space with another person who considers that truck his home most of the time. When packing to go out with your trainer use common sense and courtesy. If you take too much stuff you will infringe on the trainer's space. If you take too little you will have needs and the trainer will have to waste time filling them for you instead of teaching you.

Here is a list of things you will want to take with you. This looks like a long list, and it is, but consider the season when packing clothes. There is no need for a heavy jacket in the middle of August. Another tip is to always be considerate of your co-driver. Keep your belongings in order and neatly packed out of the way.

Student Things to Take List
Drivers license and Fed Med card (duh, yes some people forget them!!)
Diploma or GPA sheet from your school
Social Security card (UNLAMINATED!)
List of your personal references
List of previous addresses
List of wife's and children's Social Security numbers and birth dates (like I can remember all those!)
A blank check or deposit slip from your bank (for direct deposit)
A phone card
Notebook
Calculator (as big as possible)
Ink pens and pencils
Highlighter pens
Prescription medications
Prescription eye glasses
List of any previous medications or surgeries you've had in the last few years
Police reports from any accidents in which you may have been involved
Full explanations for any arrests (yes, even as a stupid kid caught with a goat)
A ten-year work history
As much cash as you can afford (or an ATM card)
Note: Some of these things you may not need at orientation or may NEVER need at all. It is best to be prepared, and not be held up from getting out on the road having to wait for your wife or other family member to send you something by mail or fax.

Things For The Truck (Clothes)
3-5 pairs of good (hole free) blue jeans or work pants
5-7 pairs of socks
5-7 pairs of underwear (no, I don't care about boxers or briefs or thong's...eeek!)
3 bras, sports bras would work well (no, not for you guys!)
5-7 heavyweight t-shirts (no offensive logos)
2-3 good sweatshirts (also with no offensive logos)
Good polo shirt or something with a collar (a company shirt would be advisable so bring some cash to buy one if the company has such things available)
Belt (or suspenders)
Work boots (and spare laces)
"Comfy" driving shoes (slip-ons work good for late PM potty excursions)
Light jacket (sweatshirts work for me)
Good weather-proof WARM coat (preferably with an attached hood)
Knit hat, stocking hat (or even better, a belaclava)
Good cold weather gloves (not work gloves!)
1 pair heavyweight socks
1-2 sets of long johns
Baseball cap (for bad hair days)
Work gloves (pigskin type)
Once again, you may NEVER need all of these, but it's better to be prepared. In the beginning, most of your time will be spent inside of the truck, but if the truck were disabled in the winter, freezing to death would not be a good thing! Some of you folk in Florida or elsewhere in the far south may need to order this winter stuff from a catalog.

Personal Hygiene Stuff
Shower Kit
Travel bag
Toothpaste & toothbrush
Shampoo (pop-top not screw-on caps)
Conditioner (if you care about that stuff)
Soap (liquid travels better)
Disposable razors
Shaving gel or creme
Aftershave lotion
Antiperspirant
Travel mirror
Comb or brush
Tweezers
Nail clippers
Small scissors
Lotion
Feminine hygiene products
Shower shoes
Laundry soap (plastic bottle w/cap)

Bedding
Sleeping bag (extreme cold mummy bag type)
Sheet and/or blanket for milder temps
Big pillow or pillows
Alarm clock (one that will wake you up!)