Unable to join any CDL school due to bad employment history

There are no CDL school in your state? If your job history really is the problem holding you back, it's more important than normal that you FIRST find the trucking company that will hire you, make them put you in contact with current working drivers doing the type of work you want BEFORE you go to CDL school. The trucking company that will hire you will give you a "pre-hire letter" if you ask. That will satisfy the CDL school that is trying to protect you from getting the CDL but not being hirable. WOIA will also ask for a "pre-hire letter."

 

If you're unable to sign on with a trucking company that does its own training, you're only other option is a private school. These companies that train inhouse require you to sign a contract stating you'll work for them a certain period of time or pay them back if you leave early. Your work history may make you too big of a flight risk, so to speak. They might be worried that you'll bail after training and then they won't be able to recover their investment.

Assuming that's the case, private school is your only option and they want their money up front. The WIOA is a Federal program administered by the states. I'm sure each state has differences, but they should all be similar. Here's what I recommend:

1) Call several of the Megas (Werner, Schneider etc...) and try to get a prehire letter. You may have to "workshop" your job history a bit, but one of them will give you the letter. Try telling them you're interested in team driving and you already have a partner. They'll give you the letter for sure.

2.) Find which school(s) in your area are approved for WIOA funding. I put a link in a previous post you can use. Contact the school(s) and get enrolled. Send them your prehire letter

3) Go to your local unemployment office, or its equivalent in your state, and get an application for WIOA funding. Make sure you tell them its for a commercial truck driving program. Ask them to tell you everything you'll need to do.

4) Complete the application and return it ASAP. It may take several weeks once submitted to be approved or denied.

If you get approved, do the training and get your CDL. Once you have that license someone will hire you, regardless of a skinny work history. Plus, you'll have the benefit of being a free agent because you went to a private school

 

Western Express will give you a pre-hire letter.

 

Employment history shouldn't matter if you walk into a school and slap your money down on the counter.

 

No, don't have to lie. They'll know.
Western Express is a 2nd chance company and hires drivers in your situation.

 

Western Express doesn't have a school. Will hire from a WIOA paid private school. WIOA program may tell you to get a pre-hire letter from any trucking company. If so, call Western Express and you will get one.