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Never went to Trucking school.

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Bori1030, Dec 16, 2011.

Page 1 of 4
  1. Dec 16, 2011 #1
    Bori1030

    Bori1030 Bobtail Member

    32
    2
    Dec 16, 2011
    Huntsville, al
    0
    Hello everyone,

    Im a truck driver for a lumber company in North alabama, My employer recently made it a requirement for all drivers to have a CDL class A or B. At the time of this announcement i didnt posses a CDL. Also my employer told me that they would pay for my CDL license if i passed all exams. My supervisor told me that if i didnt get my CDl i would loose my job.

    So i studied and studied and passed my Written exam. Once i got my Permit, My supervisor gave me a few lessons on a big rig to help me pass my road test. After taking a few lessons from him i went and took my exam and passed. So now i have my CDLA.

    Now that i have this License im wanting on going else where for better pay. Every where i look trucking companies are wanting for drivers that came out trucking school. Am i Screwed for not going to trucking school. Can i apply for a job with a trucking company that doesnt require me having to go to school.

    Not sure what to do.
     
    Bori1030, Dec 16, 2011
    Bori1030, Dec 16, 2011
    #1
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  3. Dec 16, 2011 #2
    cpttuttle

    cpttuttle Medium Load Member

    398
    177
    Oct 20, 2011
    altoona,pa
    0
    not if you stay there maybe a year with your cdl,maybe.just my opinion.
     
    cpttuttle, Dec 16, 2011
    cpttuttle, Dec 16, 2011
    #2
  4. Dec 16, 2011 #3
    Bori1030

    Bori1030 Bobtail Member

    32
    2
    Dec 16, 2011
    Huntsville, al
    0
    Well they have me driving straight trucks. Will that be an issue when it comes down to driving a tractor trailer
     
    Bori1030, Dec 16, 2011
    Bori1030, Dec 16, 2011
    #3
  5. Dec 16, 2011 #4
    sharp.dressed.man

    sharp.dressed.man Heavy Load Member

    701
    507
    Dec 10, 2011
    IL
    0
    I would just apply to every job that you want. The worst they can do is say no. I see a lot of companies do want tractor/trailer experience though.
     
    sharp.dressed.man, Dec 16, 2011
    sharp.dressed.man, Dec 16, 2011
    #4
  7. Dec 16, 2011 #5
    Bigarmin88

    Bigarmin88 Road Train Member

    1,791
    375
    Aug 30, 2008
    Tampa Bay Fl
    0
    Most likely your not going get into any trucking company without attending a proper trucking school.Most mega carriers do required that you attended a trucking school and it has to be within the last 90 days,after 90 days your chances are cut in half and they will tell you to take a refreasher program.If I was you I would go to trucking school because unless you know someone who an O/O or a small mom and pop company,more likely your not going to drive T/T.
     
    Bigarmin88, Dec 16, 2011
    Bigarmin88, Dec 16, 2011
    #5
  8. Dec 16, 2011 #6
    hepster56

    hepster56 Bobtail Member

    22
    1
    Nov 30, 2011
    erlanger ky
    0
    If u been driving without cdl and u just got it u can get a job with maverick i believe if u already have experience with flats u should b alright.I hear they r pretty good. or tmc heck theirs a lot of company's u can try.
     
    hepster56, Dec 16, 2011
    hepster56, Dec 16, 2011
    #6
  9. Dec 16, 2011 #7
    hepster56

    hepster56 Bobtail Member

    22
    1
    Nov 30, 2011
    erlanger ky
    0
    My bad u driving strt trk yea u probably have to go to some school thas accretted or try on of the driving mills.
     
    hepster56, Dec 16, 2011
    hepster56, Dec 16, 2011
    #7
  10. Dec 17, 2011 #8
    Bori1030

    Bori1030 Bobtail Member

    32
    2
    Dec 16, 2011
    Huntsville, al
    0
    Thanks alot for the Info Guys. I really wasn't sure if there was away around this. But i'll look into trucking School and go from there.
     
    Bori1030, Dec 17, 2011
    Bori1030, Dec 17, 2011
    #8
  11. Dec 17, 2011 #9
    123456

    123456 Road Train Member

    10,555
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    Oct 22, 2010
    32179
    0
    call swift !!!
     
    123456, Dec 17, 2011
    123456, Dec 17, 2011
    #9
  12. Dec 17, 2011 #10
    jgremlin

    jgremlin Heavy Load Member

    867
    497
    Apr 21, 2010
    SW Michigan
    0
    What are the odds that you can switch from straight trucks to tractor trailers at the company you work for now? After all they did just pay for your license. If you get yourself into a big truck with them, you'll end up with actual tractor trailer experience which will open doors to other jobs.


    If that's not an option, I would recommend you check with some schools and see if they can put together some sort of refresher/fill in the holes course for you. When I was starting out, I drove teams and I had a few partners who like yourself, had ended up with a CDL A but had never gone to school. The number of important things they had zero knowledge of was astounding and I'm pretty sure if they hadn't been in that sort of team situation where someone else was there to teach them/stop them from doing the stupid thing they were about to do, they might very well have bent metal and/or hurt someone.
     
    jgremlin, Dec 17, 2011
    jgremlin, Dec 17, 2011
    #10
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