What are the different options for getting a truck when you start off?

Whatever you do stay away from PAM

 

where do you live?

we can help with suggestions.

 

Which state do you live in?

 

OP, really what a lease is and what it comes down to is just basic simple math. You have to make a certain amount each week to meet your expectations that are mandatory. And there’s a lot of expenses. Make sure you fully understand what they are. Right now with the way things are, I would base my numbers on about 2000 miles per week. Of course some weeks you’ll have more and you might even have some weeks where you get less. Then plan, during the course of maybe the first year, for two or three Bad things happening that you might not expect. A breakdown, a couple tires blown out with ruined rims etc etc. if your brand new driver, plan on about 5 to 6 of these types of unexpected incidents happening during the first year.

If the number still makes sense to you, and you’re 100% sure that you’re fine with staying out 35 to probably 45 days at a time because if you start going home all the time those bills are going to add up and then you’re gonna be in debt, then go for it.

but in my opinion, if you’re just starting out I would go out as a company driver for a minimum of two years. I got in with a pretty good company and made over $70,000 each of my first two years. But I only took less than half of the days off that I could have and I drove all that I could. But still, it’s doubtful you’re going to make that kind of money with the worry free and debt free position you get as a company driver.

i’ve asked around a lot out here on the road and I have not met a single person who went into trucking for one of the mega carriers and took out a lease option that was happy with it. Not one. And that’s probably out of 50 or more people I’ve talked to about it.

 

Option 1.) find a company job, get paid hourly for all you do

option 2.) buy either a 2000 and down or a brand new truck and run your own show

any other option is a scam

 

I went to school separate from my company. I didnt like the idea of having to sign a contract for a year or more. There is a govt program that pays for your school if you qualify. So no student loan... it's a grant. It is probably run through the unemployment office. An accredited school can tell you more about it. Also, community college sometimes offers cdl school and could tell you about the grant. It pays for training into certain high demand careers, like trucking.
Research companies carefully. Swift, cr England, and others have a reputation. Be careful choosing because a bad company can ruin the enjoyment and scare you off of trucking.
Some companies will pay you back for your trucking school. Covenant pays about 100 bucks a month for your school. They have newer company trucks and good benefits, but they run mostly teams. Dont believe recruiters as much as the research you do on a company before accepting a job with them.

 

Check with your local Community College, and your Dept. of Labor/ Emplyoment . There may be certain grants, Job training programs, or co operative programs with Trucking Companies in your area, before signing up with a Company or School. Even the Private Schools, should know about any financial aid, that’s available.