So I know this guy who's a long time friend of my step dads,did the whole long haul trucking bit for 25 years and was a certified instructor.If I go on the road with this guy will it count towards my license?If I were to walk in to the DMV and tell them that I didn't graduate from a credited school but have roadtime and take the test and pass just what companies out there will hire me?I'm not trying to take the easy way out,but this guy preaches against going to school

I guess because when he got his he didn't go to school he just has the experience.He's willing to teach me the ropes on his rig as long as I can afford gas.He said he would rent a trailer and load it up with everything he can find(which is mostly from the junk yard behind the house).

If you guys had the chance would you take his offer?I'd like some advice here.I don't know if I would consider this privileged or screwing myself over.

Any input you guys have would be great.

As far what I know is most trucking companys would rather hire a newbe from an approved truck driving school.But it doesn't hurt to call few companys to see what they may say.

I don't know of anyone that requires school, once you get the CDL all you have to worry about is what companies will hire you without experience.
Getting the CDL doesn't require school, it requires passing the test, if you have access to a truck and someone to go with you, you just go pass the tests and they issue you a CDL.

i know a guy who rented a truck from ryder and got his cdl that way. it's totally possible.

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And it's official: I Start school in Lewiston, ID - 15 Oct 08

So far, so good.The experience received will certainly go towards your skills being good enough to pass the various written tests, and the actual driving test.I doubt the DMV will even ask about previous experience. More likely they'll just assume you're prepared.
Many DMV employees aren't really on the ball.
Many just see you as another of about 500 faces they've seen that day.
Take a number and have a seat.As long as "this guy" has kept up with the changing technologies in the truckin' industry, he should be able to instruct you properly.

How WELL do you KNOW "this guy"?
You haven't mentioned if you're a guy or a gal.
If you're the latter, are you absolutely certain you can TRUST him?

And, I hope, an open mind.You mean fuel?
Figure about 6 mpg, and at idle, about a gallon an hour.
Pretty sweet tuition.It's for the weight, so it doesn't really matter what it is.

In a New York minute.
AS LONG AS ....... all the "t's" were crossed and all the 'I's" are dotted, including insurance.
No insurance?
No way!Could go either way, it all depends.
I suggest waiting for others to chime in here with their thoughts.

Couldn't have said it better myself.
And heaven knows I've tried.

To start out if you do not attend a certified accrediated school you will not be able to get a job at most trucking companies.

To have him take you out and show you how to drive etc it will help you out when you go to school.

Due to insurance requirements most of the companies will want you to go through a good school.

Back in the day was different than it is now regarding school or road time with somone.

The DMV is only concerned with your ability to pass the written test, and then pass the driving portion. They NEVER worry about experience. It's up to you to have someone take you to the test site with a truck for you to take the driving portion of the test. After that, it's up to you to present yourself to a prospective employer. If your friend is willing to serve as a reference for you with a prospective employer then it would be in your interest to take advantage or your friend's offer to teach you. If you get a job with someone, you sould be prepared for the possibility of their placing you with a trainer for some period of time, even if it's only for a week just to get a good look at you.

I would caution you however, on misrepresenting yourself and your experience once you start job searching. Should you get in a very bad situation that damages property or bodies while you're working for a company to whom you gave false information on your application regarding your experience, or in some other manner misrepresented yourself, you could find yourself on a very lonely branch in a legal action. Make sure that you learn all you can from your friend and remember, the day you're out on the road and you have the feeling that you know everything there is to know about trucking, you have just become one of the most dangerous individuals on the highway.

Best of luck to you! Be positive, be professional, and above all else, be safe!

Georgia Joker

Well,when I was growing up I used to play with is daughter around the age of 9 or so,now I'm 23.My mom knows him,a good friend of my step dads..I have no reason to believe he would try and screw me over.

And yes I'm a guy,maybe I should personalize my profile a bit more?

Friends!
Where would we be without them?

As long as your friend is up to speed with the current rules and regulations in the truckin' industry, things should go well for you. If not, your friend may not intentionally steer you wrong, but wrong none the less. Then, it'll seem like the truckin' industry is screwin' you over.

But ANY experience you can get behind the wheel of a Big truck should be a bonus whether you have to attend a driving school to satisfy a truckin' company, or a starter/training company's program.

Unless you know of someone or some company that will hire you with the training you receive from your friend, it's a pretty safe assumption that additional certification will be required by most all of the truckin' companies you apply with.

At this point, if I were you, I'd do a LOT of research here at The Truckers' Report to determine which truckin' companies sound interesting to you. Then, give those a call and ask what their policies are.
Have your questions ready to ask, and take notes. Don't believe EVERYthing a recruiter tells you though. If you have any additional questions after picking their brains, don't hesitate to ask folks here what their opinions are.
And ALWAYS include your friend in the loop.
HaiL!
Have your friend join us here. I'm thinkin' he'd have a lot of sage advice to offer. And just might enjoy the opportunity to help others, as many of us do. We'd sure appreciate that.

NaW!
Your profile is fine, LimpyLegs.
Just keep posting and folks will get to know you.

Please let us know what you decide, and how things are going for you. Your experiences can and do help others.

Good luck and best of success!

OK, i had a similar problem when i started out.
I learned from my grandfather and then drove for him doing short haul runs while i was in college.
A few moths after college ended i decided to get back into trucking and thought i would have no problem getting a job since i had over four years experience.
However i had a major problem, i was paid under the table from my grandfather and because of this My DAC had nothing on it. It was like i never drove a mile so no company would hire me until i had six months of VERIFIABLE(that's the key word) experience. So i had do drive for him for six months while having the taxman on my back.......

You could get lucky and have a small company hire you, but with higher insurance rates this is doubtful..
Your other option is to call training companies like Schneider,Werner,Pam, and others( i will never refer anyone to swift,so if you choose them DON'T BLAME ME) and ask them if you would be able to just go out with a trainer(You most likely won't avoid this) Work for them for at least a year and then wallah you will be an in demand truck driver.....And then you will be able to get a good job..
Good luck!!!!!!!!!

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-Edmund Burke: "Never argue with an
idiot. They drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience"

-Edmund Burke: "All that is needed for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing"