Hello all. I wanted to become a truck driver so I got my permit and found a person who had a truck and had them teach me to drive. We traveled all over the US for the last 5 months and now I got my CDL class A. I took the test last Thursday and Passed with only 2 negative marks on the walkaround and 2 marks on the driving test. Now that I have the liscence I want to start working. I applied for CRE and the told me that they would send me a buss ticket to somewhere in southern CA and put me in some class for I think 2 weeks and then have me drive with another driver for a while. So what am I to expect from this. I know I just want to get more experiance and get paid for it. I figure I will stay with them for a year and work my rear off for that year. Then switch to a company that pays better.

Expect to get worked like a dog for very low wages and them get screwed out of as much of that as they can. Forget about getting home when you were promised. Read the forums here and then make up your mind. Many more leave this industry with a very bad taste in their mouth because of CR England than almost any other. If you do go there DO NOT believe their BS about leasing a truck from them. I was starting to worry. Hadn't had a complaint on them in almost 2 weeks. That is a record.

One thing is for sure I will never lease a truck from CRE or any other company for that matter. The reason I am considering CRE is they are the only company that has got back to me after sending in an application. I have not spoken to anyone there except a lady who wants to send me a bus ticket to come down for some sort of training. and then have me drive with a trainer for a while. I am a bit concerned about the pay scale and dont know why the shorter the distance the more the pay. That does not really make since to me but to be honest I am going in to all of this completly blind. I have read about a lot of companys here and it seems like all the companys that will hire someone with little experiance everyone hates for some reason or another. I live near San Jose and all the companys here want 6 months experiance driving with a CDL not just a permit. I have over 15000 miles under my belt but I just got my CDL last week. Is there a better company to apply to that will hire new drivers? If so I would really like some imput.

Probably the reason that CRE is the only company that has gotten back to you is that most major carriers will only hire students who complete a certified CDL program.

It is also an insurance liability issue that is dictated by the trucking companie's insurance company.

Also,going to a certified school and passing gives the company an idea of what you know and have been taught by professional accredited instructors.

I wish you the best of luck finding a good company without having to go through a long training program when you have your CDL.

Wow that is discouraging. I really want to drive and need to start making money soon.

If you have to go with CRE do it. But just don't expect anyone to be on your side but you. Many have put up with their crap and moved on to much better outfits. I would hit every local outfit around. Might try construction and small delivery companies. Most won't pay real well but at least you are near home and not talking to bosses through bulletproof glass with armed guards watching you. I would try Swift or Central in the W and see what they say.

I tried swift and they told me that they would not hire me due to my DAC report. I am assuming its because I dont have a DAC report. I dont know. I have not heard of Central but I am going to look them up now and apply ASAP. Thanks for the help.

cr england is a all for themselves and will screw you to get themselves out of trouble company. i will be completly honest with you. i have seen many people with your situation in the last 3 months as i went threw all the steps myself. you get there they will tell you you have no experiance as far as there concerned then there going to put you threw there school. $3,000 charge.taken out of your future paychecks 75 dollars at a time. you will first have to get by an interigation ,health and physical,and drug and alchohal test first of course. then its 8 days of at school training. then 3 weeks or 15,000 miles whichever comes second makeing a take home average of 262 a week. then you will go in for a driveing test and computer test, then out again for 28 days making 13 cents a mile. you will have at least 28 log violations during this training. but dont hit anything that will cost them even a dollar in repairs. because then you have to go to a safty class that at the end they reserve the right to terminate your employement. and if they dont they only allow you to go second seat that is it. no solo or lease program. the school and training is very good ...... well at least out of the dallas school it is. they dont have armed guards at that location. or metal detectors. but the other three yes they do with guns and all. 103 people show up at the first day and it is cut to 38 the first day. so if you go with this company be very cautious. the recruiters are like used car sales persons except they get paid by how many people show that first day from there list. they will say anything and most of it is lies. if you need anymore information feel free to contact me. oh by the way you get charged for everything. and you dont get a paycheck the first month. so bring plenty of money.

Why can't you drive for the feller that taught you how to drive?

Whatever you do, don't let CRE send you that bus ticket. There's plenty of other options. I can appreciate the fact that you need to make some cash. Hell we all do. But CRE will cost you far more than you will ever make with them. Take some time and research all your options. CRE should never be one of them.

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Keep that diesel burnin' and those tires turnin', but get there safe to keep on earnin'!!

I would love to drive for him but I cannot work for free for ever. He is a good guy but only has 2 trucks and already has four drivers. He does not report to DAC and does not know how to in order to put good notes on it for me. I can get him to write me a letter of recommendation but I dont know if that will help at all. I have had lots of fun and enjoyed every mile so far. I hope I hear back from some of these other trucking company's soon.