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Requirements Febuary 1973 until January 2006

1. List the major truck lines serving your town.

2. Tell the importance of trucks in providing freight service to towns served by no other means. Name some towns in your area served only by trucks.

3. Describe how trucks fit in with other forms of transportation.

4. Describe the difference between the gasoline engine and the diesel engine that power trucks. List the advantages of each.

5. Visit a truck terminal and do the following:

(a) Check the use of communications facilities. What means are used? How does a dispatcher control over-the-road trucks? How does he control local trucks?
(b) Find out from the maintenance department the following: How many miles are engines run between overhauls? How do they get better tire life? How are breakdowns prevented? What maintenance work is done by the company? What work is done outside the company?
(c) Talk with a professional truck driver about safety. List five safe-driving rules he follows.

6. Outline the general organization of a truck company. Describe what each department does.

7. Do the following:

(a) List five jobs with trucking companies. Describe each.
(b) Talk with the safety director or driver supervisor about the requirements for becoming a professional truck driver.

8. Name five governmental agencies that regulate trucking. Tell what they regulate.

9. List five different kinds of trucks. Tell the service each gives.

10. Assume that you are going to ship 100 pounds from town to another by truck. Explain in writing how you would handle this shipment from your town to a place 500 miles away. Tell when the things are needed. List what truck lines are used. Tell how the shipment is insured for damage. Tell when it must be made if it is to arrive on time.

11. Define the following terms: APU, bill of lading, common carrier, containerization, ETA, logbook, fifth wheel, OS&D, LTL.

Requirements January 2006 until Current

1. List the major truck lines serving your town.

2. Do the following:

1. Describe the role of truck transportation within commerce (the movement of goods, funds, and information).
2. Describe how trucks fit into a company’s supply chain. This could be a manufacturer, importer, wholesaler, or retailer.
3. On paper, map out how goods that are manufactured overseas are transported to a retailer in this country.

3. Describe the difference between the gasoline engine and the diesel engine that power trucks. List the advantages of each.

4. Visit a truck terminal and complete items 4a through 4e. After your visit, share what you have learned with your counselor.

1. Find out what kind of maintenance program the company follows to help keep its fleet, drivers, and the roadway safe.
2. Find out how dispatchers maintain communication with drivers on the road.
3. Talk with a professional truck driver about safety. Learn about the truck driver’s rules of the road for safe driving. List five safe-driving rules every professional truck driver must follow.
4. Review the driver’s log and find out what kind of information the log contains.
5. Learn about important federal regulations that help ensure public safety.

5. Do the following:

1. Outline the general organization of a trucking company. Describe what each department does.
2. List five positions with trucking companies and describe each one.

6. Name five government agencies that work closely with the trucking industry. Describe their role.

7. List five different kinds of trucks. Tell the service each provides.

8. Assume that you are going to ship by truck 500 pounds of goods (freight class 65) from your town to another town 500 miles away. Your shipment must arrive within three days. Explain in writing:

1. How to prepare the shipment
2. How to compare at least three carries for time in transit and rates
3. How to choose which carrier to use
4. How to insure the shipment for damages

9. Define the following terms: bill of lading, ETA, logbook, intermodal, containers, tariff, shippers, carrier, consignee, drayage, cartage.

10. Learn about opportunities in the field of truck transportation. Choose one career in which you are interested and discuss with your counselor the major responsibilities of that position and the qualifications, education, and training such a position requires.