Stinson Ventures

Well I wrote all 5 tests Thursday morning and according to the Driver Examiner it was a rare occurrence that someone passed all 5 on their first attempt..so hooray for me…

Now all I have to do it sort out the funding for the professional driver course….a certain department who shall remain nameless for now, has royally bugger up an application for funding, like we all have a spare $5-10 grand laying around…. yeah right  hmmm.

So this delay will mean a month later starting the course, if said dept has everything sorted out by then…. I love it when you call and get a different answer to the same question.

In  the meantime I have a permit to drive Class 1 (Air brake ) vehicles, so that said I am going to start looking for a driver position  to get some road time.

Been a while since I had to do any studying…picked up the drivers handbook and air brake manual the other day

Dove right into the Air Brake..figured that would be the hardest to learn…. was quite easy to pick up the majority of it… just need to  get the steps down for doing the adjustments..hard to do without actually seeing/doing it first.

I have to say getting prepared for the written portion of the licence is not a cheap undergoing, the fee for this, that and the fee on the fee is a bit ridicoulous…. a typical Class 1 fee breakdown is as follows:

Drivers handbook/Air Brake Manual/Drivers Abstract: $28.75

Class 1 Medical: $50 (form is free at SNB )

Class 1 written test: $28.25 (must be booked and completed/pass prior to starting your course)

Criminal Search by RCMP:  This can be $20 depending on what office you go to

Upgrade Licence at Motor Vehicle: $20

TOWES Testing (another must before starting the course) now in my past job I  created similar knowledge checks, check for understanding or  tests..however you want to put it….after completing the test in under 1hour,  I understand the “why” but dam $113  to see if I can read through  a booklet and pick out a few  answers.

So with my Medical and Written test booked I will have $190.50 out of pocket and have yet to step foot in a classroom or truck cab.

Wonder how much more expenses will “pop up” along the way.

Well after being in the IT/Call Center industry for the past 7 years, I have decided for a complete career change!

That’s right a complete 100% Lifestyle change….On Jan 25 I am slated to start taking a Class 1 Professional Driver course, yes I am becoming a Long-haul  Driver!

With a varied work history and a few semi-successful business in the past and one still ongoing, I have decided to get into the Trucking Industry.