Any CDL drivers on the board?

[Kyle]

I was approached by one of my customers to see if I could do hot shot runs for them. I would be driving all across Texas picking up cars and delivering them back to their Dallas location. With a 1-ton, 3 car trailer, and loaded I will probably need a CDL. Any recommendations on how to go about this? I want the quickest (and hopefully affordable) way to do it.

[Mike]

I was approached by one of my customers to see if I could do hot shot runs for them. I would be driving all across Texas picking up cars and delivering them back to their Dallas location. With a 1-ton, 3 car trailer, and loaded I will probably need a CDL. Any recommendations on how to go about this? I want the quickest (and hopefully affordable) way to do it.

Sending PM

[Buglemintoday]

Find someone local that is already hotshotting. And then add 15% and make your money.

[Captain Crawfish]

go get the dmv study guide study it and go take the test. you need to know how to shift without a clutch to pass the dmv road test. pretty easy just a bunch of bs you gotta do. why do you want to hot shot if you have a tow truck? extra money?

[Lone Sailor]

go get the dmv study guide study it and go take the test. you need to know how to shift without a clutch to pass the dmv road test. pretty easy just a bunch of bs you gotta do. why do you want to hot shot if you have a tow truck? extra money?

Normally they want you to be able to double clutch shift, not shift without using the clutch(floating the gears).

[Kyle]

go get the dmv study guide study it and go take the test. you need to know how to shift without a clutch to pass the dmv road test. pretty easy just a bunch of bs you gotta do. why do you want to hot shot if you have a tow truck? extra money?

If one of my customers has a need, then I'll do what I can to fill it if I can make a buck! Its all about customer service. If I play my cards right, I could double my business just towing for them. Currently each department uses their own tow company. Of the 5 departments at their location, I have the best pricing and turn times for having vehicles delivered. I did two hot shots last week b/c the lady that usually handles it was unable to get it done quickly. They were very impressed and wanted to see what I could do for them!

[Chili]

Keep in mind, there are negative aspects of possessing a CDL.. like the inability to take deferred for defensive driving for normal traffic violations, even when they occur in private vehicle.

[JimD]

Normally they want you to be able to double clutch shift, not shift without using the clutch(floating the gears).

LOL don't think i could double clutch if i had too. Along with double clutching i don't believe they will let you skip shift( say start in third, then to 5th and so on). I'm pretty sure you can take the third party in the type vehicle you will be driving.
You will also have to have a medical card. Just a b.s physical. Remember to stop by the flying j and get you plenty of logbooks. <--has has CDL-A for 15 years.

[Captain Crawfish]

Normally they want you to be able to double clutch shift, not shift without using the clutch(floating the gears).

yeah thats true. not sure why they want you to do that. any tard who does that on a daily basis is gonna have a severely destroyed left knee.

[78X]

double clutching is easy

[JimD]

double clutching is easy

Floating is easier.

[raider5.0]

Normally they want you to be able to double clutch shift, not shift without using the clutch(floating the gears).

I took my CDL test two years ago, and the DPS Officer didn't care about how i shifted as long as it was smooth. So i don't think you necessarily have to double clutch.

[Lone Sailor]

I took my CDL test two years ago, and the DPS Officer didn't care about how i shifted as long as it was smooth. So i don't think you necessarily have to double clutch.

I have found that it varies widely per tester. Also, if you're an obvious beginner and show weaknesses in driving and/or shifting then there is a higher risk of being asked to go ahead and double clutch. Seems they just to see if you can do it and if you can do it while keeping the truck on the road and in your lane, etc. If you're confident, smooth, and owning the wheel as well as shifting then the chances of them even mentioning it seem to be very low.

[Mysticcobrakilla]

Keep in mind, there are negative aspects of possessing a CDL.. like the inability to take deferred for defensive driving for normal traffic violations, even when they occur in private vehicle.

This would be why I hate having a cdl.

[Lone Sailor]

Keep in mind, there are negative aspects of possessing a CDL.. like the inability to take deferred for defensive driving for normal traffic violations, even when they occur in private vehicle.

I've actually done some research on this, and Arlington seems to be the only place in the metroplex that I've talked to that is holding to their guns on this, so take that FWIW.