Hey I need some advice on getting my CDL. Here's my situation - I'm a young guy living at home in NJ and need to get out ASAP. I don't have much money, kinda feel cornered here.

Anyway, i've looked into training and came up with 2 solutions. I was initially accept to Schneider, I just need to take my CDL permit test and I'm in. The 2 week training will be in PA and then I'll be driving with them for at least 18 months to pay off the training.

OR

Use my credit card((gulp)) to sign up with Roadmaster. The pro of this would be to have a choice of trucking companies, but financing it on my credit card might be tough.

What would you do in my position???

P.S. - I would really like to work out of a western state. Places like Oregon, California, Utah, Colorado.

Whatever you do. Don't put it on your credit card!! You may not have a job in 12 months. Could you handle the payments then?

While many of us tell new guys to pay for their own, then check out companies. The credit card route is suicidal in my opinion. And no better than doing the company training route.

I'm not telling which route to take, or what job is right. But the truth of the matter is. Over 25% of new drivers, are gone within the first 12 months. For one reason or another.

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I'm gonna kill the next SOB who tells me I look stressed out.

--Unknown

there are co's that only require a year to pay off school. you are going to want to stay a yr or two at yoour first co anyway to get enough exp to find a better co with higher pay/benefits etc. i would go that way.

what I would do is cut up that credit card!! like ny buddy dave ramsey says, "if you can't pay cash for it, you cant afford it!"

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tip for new truckers: to err is human, to forgive is not D.O.T. policy.
"if you don't HAVE the money to buy it, YOU CAN'T AFFORD IT"- DAVE RAMSEY

Thanks for the info. Yeah I'm definetly leaning towards Schneider.

What about relocating? I'm going to be getting my CDL in NJ, but I want to work out of CO, OR, CA, or UT

Not an issue. Trucking is one of the best jobs for people looking to relocate or are not sure on where they want to live.

Of course, you won't be allowed to use the truck to move your stuff.

__________________
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I'm gonna kill the next SOB who tells me I look stressed out.

--Unknown

unfortunate, but too true!

__________________
tip for new truckers: to err is human, to forgive is not D.O.T. policy.
"if you don't HAVE the money to buy it, YOU CAN'T AFFORD IT"- DAVE RAMSEY

handyman here I SO STRONGLY AGREE DO NOT PUT IT ON YOUR CREDIT CARD! That gives you less freedom,DEBT! You sound like you want more freedom.also,you dont get your $ worth from these schools.that is why you have be trained again when you are hired.I know I sound like know it all but Ive been around. Now to get cdl.when I got mine the govt paid for the school.They do this to have employed people who pay taxes.The only requirement was that you had to have been unemployed for 6 months.The I think the driving school hooked me up with that idea.(its been a while 13 years)Anyway ,almost everyone in my class were doing same.the goverment paid the school.the school then provided a motel for us and $ 15 a day for food.three weeks and done.then I had several co. to choose from.and went directly to work as a trainee with melton flat bed in oklahoma. call several schools and ask about this.also,call state and govt offices employment offices to inquire.----------Your next quistion I much prefer out west to the n.e. usa. If you get on with a truck co. and are single young man you wont need a home for the first year.,so save the relocation money and start where your at and travel while your working.Plus when you tell them you wont need home time that you want to go trucking ,you just scored some big points.because drivers are always complaining to go home.when your on the road take your time off out west and ski big sky montana or a raft trip down the snake river or hang out in a cheap arizona motel and get drunk with the down and out losersthat live there.You dont have a home.Just be sure to hook up with a co. that goes out west a lot.--If you choose to start with co. that will train you .find one that after 12 month you owe them nothing.Remember your selling point,you dont need home time,unless it runs by the house so you say hi to mom&pop.-Now if you do these things you will have earned 8to10 thousand dollars by not paying for a school and not paying to relocate yourself out west.(remember,a penny saved is apenny earned)But, do plan to move west you will love it.this you can do in the next year or two. once you do start driving, DO NOT SPEED,DO NOT MAKE ILLIGAL TURNS,DO NOT RUN THRU YELLOW&RED LIGHTS,DO NOT DRIVE WITH ANY ALCOHOL OR DRUGS ON YOUR BREATH OR IN YOUR TRUCK.If you stay clean and a clean dmv NO TICKET AT ALL.Then you have will many opportunities to drive for co based out west.Now go get to work.--let us know how it goes HANDYMAN

Cool thanks for all the info.

Does anyone have info on companies that have locations out west that will train? I'm pretty sure schneider does.

Come on guy, are you really that naive? Pick one, any one.

If they are a National Company, they will hire you where you are. You can get your plans worked out. Then move.

Anyt of the majors should fill this requirement.

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I'm gonna kill the next SOB who tells me I look stressed out.

--Unknown

hey after i signed off ,remembered swift is set up by regions of the us western eastern etc. but so are many companies.go to a truck stop and pick up the free trucker magazines.there you will find all the companies in the usa advertising for drivers .it will have info all major companies that train drivers and what areas they run in.,how much they pay,etc. also,if your not afraid of the elements.the cold in winter etc. you might be intrested in flat bedding ,the good thing about flat bedding is you rarely have to bump a dock. I did it for a while ,the down side is tarping which you get 50to75 dollars to do.but all loads are not tarped.I went to copper mines in arizona and lumber mills in oregon.the best part like i said was no waiting at some warehouse to get unloaded.but most drivers dont want to get out of the cab except to pee &eat.It is more physical but at 21 years young I bet you could use some hardening. now go get the mags and make the calls,get your balls out and do it. But take time to consider the your options.