Obtaining your CDL

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by illegal_eagle187, Feb 2, 2008.

  1. illegal_eagle187

    illegal_eagle187 Light Load Member

    146
    5
    Aug 4, 2007
    Tulsa, Oklahoma
    0
    how would trucking companies look at me if i were obtain my CDL through other means like renting a truck and trailer to practice and then take my CDL test with it instead of paying for school......my dad has been driving for years and he would be the one training me?? i don't know if the companies would want any amount of hours behind the wheel training?
     
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  3. BigDaddyJollyRob

    BigDaddyJollyRob <strong>"El Oso"</strong>

    616
    38
    Nov 10, 2007
    WARWICK,RI
    0
    MOST COMPANIES ARE GOING TO WANT YOU TO GOTO A PTDI APPROVED SCHOOL(160 HRS OR MORE). HOWEVER, IF YOU CAN GET TRAINED,TAKE A PREP COURSE AT A COMMUNITY COLLEGE OR WHOM EVER PUTS ON THE ROAD TEST IN YOUR STATE.IT WILL SAVE YOU MONEY IN THE BEGINNING. THEN YOU CAN TRY TO GET INTO CONSTRUCTION OR AGGRAGATE COMPANIES,SOME SMALL MOM AND POP STORES FOR EXPERIENCE. IF THEY WANT YOU TO DO A REFRESHER THAT TO SHOULD BE CHEAPER THAN PAYING THE FULL TUITION. IF YOUR HAVING A PROBLEM GETTING HIRED OR YOU DONT WANT TO PAY UP FRONT FOR YOUR CDL AND YOU DONT MIND A 1YR CONTRACT CALL JAZZ AT MILLIS TRANSFER. YOU CAN PAY $500 DOWN THEN THEY WILL TAKE THE REST OUT IN INSTALLMENTS.ITS A 3 WEEK COURSE AND THEN YOUR HIRED WITH THEM AND START TRAINING AT $500 WK 1,2. $550 WK3 $600 WK4 $650 WK5 $700 WK 7 OR GREATER.THEN YOU GO ON YOUR OWN AND MAKE .34 CPM TO START. BEST OF LUCK
     
  4. waz

    waz Bobtail Member

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    0
    Feb 1, 2008
    tucson, AZ
    0
    try obtaining a federal grant or something, thats what i did. no money out of pocket, and its money i dont have to pay back either. here in tucson the program was called "one-stop". they made me go to these classes once a week for 4 weeks, where they told you how to properly fill out applications, how to conduct yourself during interviews, etc... once the classes were complete, they cut a check for the classes. not sure if theres something like that in your area, but it would be worth checking out.
     
  5. jlkklj777

    jlkklj777 20 Year Truckload Veteran

    1,871
    1,089
    Oct 1, 2007
    Duncannon, Pa
    0
    The insurance companies are dictating to the big outfits who they can offer employment to. They want a paper trail showing that you completed an accredited driving school before they will agree to let you hire on. It's all about liability issues now a days.

    Look into your local job placement office. They may have programs which will underwrite the cost of tuition for you especially if you are a displaced worker and were layed off.

    Otherwise you can go through a private school and pay the tuition with cash, credit, pell grants, or loans. Do not worry about the initial cost of the schooling. It could cost a couple of thousand to 6 or 7 thousand for a course of a few weeks to a few months. There are currently no federal guidelines as to the minimum number of hours you must be in school.

    If paying your own way is not an option then you can get training through the mega companies such as Schneider and Swift. Just be advised that they will require you to sign a contract for 1 to 2 years of service to "recoup" their investment in you. IF you quit before fulfilling the contract they WILL expect payment for the training and may harrass you for it.
     
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