..any German drivers here? sprechen sie Deutsch? :-)

[German A Class]

Hello everybody ! I am a recent graduate and just finished my 4 weeks OTR training.
Now I have problems finding a 1099 Job because I am NOT allowed to work on a W2
(I am here with a E2 Workvisa, so I do not have a greencard or citizenship)

I would be interested to find out if theres another fellow German driver who maybe tells me about his story,
so i can eventualy learn something new. But my post is of course directed to anyone here.

Let me tell you a little bit more about me:

I moved to the US about 4 years ago by investing 100k that's what got me the E2 Visa.
My profession was the signindustry, but I lost my investment and was about to wrap up and go back to Germany as a looser
or stay as long I am legally allowed to stay and work on a way to get back on my feet.
Since my Company in Germany was doing a lot of signage for Trucking Companies and Trailerwraps, I was always impressed and sometimes even a little jealous of the drivers.. However I had a business and a Girlfriend so i couldn't do it.

NOW I finally scratched together my last money and proudly have my CDL A in hands and also travelled coast to coast a few times while performing my OTR training with an experienced driver.
I don't want to push myself up or something but the trainer said I was doing very very well, I had common sense in traffic and backing and I would be ready to drive solo from now on.

It was a smaller type of trucking company with about 12 trucks and mostly running with teams, but then I found out that they do not allow pets, because they were trying to shift all their trucks into "teamtrucks"

That's why I left them and now after several attempts to get hired by the larger comnpanies (even at their lower payscale)
They only hire as company drivers per W2 or if I was an owner operator.

I looked into leasing and i would be really interested in even if I don't make much more than a company driver, just because it works with my current situation as explained, but I needed about 6 months experience before I could sign up a lease..

HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO GET 6 MONTHS OF EXPERIENCE, IF I CAN'T FIND A POSITION ??

My possibly last option is to try to find a smaller company that accepts an independant contracor 1099,
with very little experience (but very safe and good driving skills and a lot of potential)
Which has a cat (I'm also willing to pay a deposit or whatever) but i really want to work work work and save up some money, so I can renew my Visa in about 2 years.

I would very much appreciate your thoughts and maybe there is one who considers me a perfect fit ?

Also I seriously consider moving to Canada because it's still easier to get a work visa there than in the U.S.
But again minimum experience level seems to be 6 months and most often 2 years.

God bless you all friends !

 

[Duck]

Look up trucking companies based in the Chicago area just to call them and ask questions.

Chicago has a large Polish population & many Russians & immigrants from former Soviet countries. There are many trucking companies owned by those immigrants.

I'm not saying they'll hire you for certain but they would be familiar with the processes involved in legally employing drivers with your type of work visa. Therefore they'll be able to give you some information.

Have you talked to a German consulate?

 

[German A Class]

Thank you !
Yes, this is a very helpful idea and I will sure follow your advise.
I mean I'm ready to move anywhere even tho I kinda enjoy the California winter because I've never seen any..

I was actually engaged to a polish girl for a few years, so I do actually know a bit about the polish culture as well.

 

[Blood]

Does an E2 visa stipulate that you are only allowed to work at the enterprise which you have invested in?

Have you earned a living here over the past 4 years by operating or working in the business you invested in?

 

[German A Class]

Does an E2 visa stipulate that you are only allowed to work at the enterprise which you have invested in?

Have you earned a living here over the past 4 years by operating or working in the business you invested in?

I see where you're going with your question, but ok..
At least you may have noticed that I didn't just jump over a fence or swam thru a river.

What I can do is adding additional services or branches to my business, but I have to keep the main branch and the company name otherwise I would risk my Visa.
My business always was operating on a contractor basis and I never had any problems with my taxi returns regarding 1088s.. To be on the safe side I have previously asked the consulate about it and they just clarified that contracted work flows into my LLC, while W2 is personal employment with social benefits and that's what I can't do.
However the long term plan is to become owner operator, but before someone can be successful there at least minimum experience is required first. And that's where the cat bites it tail unfortunately.

I hope I could explain my situation otherwise you're welcome to PM me.

And the second question although partially answered is a clear yes!
unfortunately not profitable because it's hard to just continue where I left in Germany, because I had to completely start over, zero credit history, zero work history and starting a business withou being already established for years, it's hard to earn the customers trust.

I would buy a truck and modify my visa/business but I can already tell the brokers wouldn't give me loads with no experience under my belt.

 

[Duck]

At least you may have noticed that I didn't just jump over a fence or swam thru a river.

I actually know a guy who is an independent owner operator, owns his truck and grain hopper trailer. And he runs a little vinyl graphics business on the side.

And he's an immigrant from Canada. Marriage visa.

 

[Blood]

I see where you're going with your question, but ok..
At least you may have noticed that I didn't just jump over a fence or swam thru a river.

My great grandparents [Heinrich & Hanna] were born near Hamburg...
homey.

But the rules apply equally, or at least they're suppose to.

I was wondering whether you could incorporate your E2 into trucking

I would buy a truck and modify my visa/business but I can already tell the brokers wouldn't give me loads with no experience under my belt.

Brokers don't have the slightest idea how much experience you have, only how long you've been running under the motor carrier authority you're using.


It sounds as though you've just renewed your E2 and have 2 years to get something cluckin...