wannabe student looking for help

**monayindabank** · 01.13.2011

hi guys im from south louisiana and i have been wanting to drive trucks since i was riding shotgun with my old man in his frieghtliner. the reason im on this forum is he and my mom split a while back and we dont really talk anymore so i cant really get advice from him. i am currently 19 and getting close to 20 and im want to attend truck driving school. theres a school close by that will take me in, but until i turn 21 i cant drive out of state. the only draw back to it is it cost 3,000 dollars. and being a college student thats a stretch. will i be able to get that 3,000 back? i was hoping to drive and go to college at the same time. i have college on only tuesday and thursday. everyday other than those two i can drive and be on the job. is there and places that will pay for me and train me to get my cdL and have a little flexibility to thier hours? and do you guys think it is worth it to drive at my age and go to school and has anyone done it? or should i wait untill i turn 21. i really need a job also and i think this would do it for me and help me get out of moms house and also help her out... What do you guys think and thanks again for any replies i get and feedback!

**QuietMike** · 01.13.2011

I would wait and finish school first. Save up money in the meantime so you can pay for it yourself when you're ready to go.

**cadillacdude1975** · 01.13.2011

i would check in to a local community college. many of them are offering commercial driver training now. i went to one here, and the class was $1247.00, over 300 hours of instruction and it is PTDI certified.

if you can find one that is at a college, you may qualify for grants and other funding to assist you. i only had to pay $581 for my course. the state of Tennessee had a grant that i was eligible for and it covered the rest of the fee for the class.

**chompi** · 01.13.2011

If you were in contact with your Dad his advice to you would be to go to school and forget about trucking!

**Dix_** · 01.13.2011

Most everyone here will tell you you're better off to go to a local school & pay for it yourself rather than use of of the company schools... & for good reason... it's good advice.

You may "think" you're getting a free CDL by using a company school, but then if you decide that company or trucking isn't for you before a certain amount of time is up (generally a year) than you're on the hook for the cost of the training... which is generally higher than many local technical schools.

Also if the school is for a short period of time (3 or 4 weeks) do a little investigating & find out if the place isn't just a "recruiter in disguse" (which I think is what many here call a "CDL Mill")... if they try to give you some guarantee that you will be hired by one or maybe two particular large carriers with the incentive that the carrier will reimburse you for all your school costs... well... you do the math.

**rocknsand** · 01.13.2011

Getting a job in trucking where you are not available 2 days a week will be tough. Maybe a lumber company, a concrete company or quarry may work with you. You did not say what your college major was, but whatever it is, get your degree. Take some business admin and accounting courses so if you want to have your own business, you have an idea what it takes to run it.
Yeah, and check your local community college for a driving class.

**Lady K** · 01.13.2011

Another thought - look for work on the docks of companies that train or promote from within... that way you work for them until you are 21 and you now have years with the company already - win/win! Plus then you can see the 'other side' of the work, and talk to all the drivers coming in. Great way to get info. So you will be able to continue college, work and bring in $$, learn about trucking and other sides of it besides driving, and getting seniority with the company

**jarken22** · 01.13.2011

Well Let us know when your school is done and I will take you out for a round trip make sure u have your passport you can drive in canada # 18 I will teach u up there then see if you like it