My advice to New drivers getting their CDL and CDL permit

JD33Centuries · Jan 17, 2025

CalculatedRisk said: ↑

Hey,

I see a lot of potential drivers on here and I thought I would come up with some advice that I wish I would have read and followed from some of the veterans on here. So here it goes.

If you’re on any medication’s, consult your doctor about getting a DOT physical. Tell them that you would like to do a career change and see what their opinion is on whether the medication would hinder you to drive so on and so forth. In other words, make sure your medical team is on board with you.

If you have a CPAP, get a letter stating that you’re compliant. Also, if you have had any surgeries, get a letter from the General Surgeon or Surgeon, who did your surgery stating at your cleared to drive. same with any doctor, who prescribes you any medication’s

Next get a copy of your MVR report. If it has any accidents on there, see if there were any injuries. Next, if they were not, do not list an injury when applying to potential companies. In Florida I believe it cost right around $10. It’s worth every penny to get it.

If you have had any prior criminal charges, get a copy of your background report. Also, when doing research for trucking companies, the MVR report, and the background report will help you out.

Get your passport if you are able to so you can go into Canada and enter the areas that require a Twic. I cannot stress how valuable a passport and twic card can be. Note: do you have to get fingerprinted in order for you to get your Twic so you might as well get your hazmat as well once you get your CDL permit.

Before you even get your permit, I highly recommend you study the practice test(s) on this website. I took the tanker one for Florida and it was very similar and wording and I was able to pass it with the 90%.

Go to a truck-stop that’s near you and see which carriers a.k.a. companies are in your area. Start jotting down names, and do your research on them to see if they accept students. @Chinatown is a good source of information. So is @lual.

When doing your research, ask yourself if you are a physical person: can you do flatbed? do you want to unload trailers and can you handle the multiple stops and tight quarters of a food distribution job.

If you want it simple meaning the easiest learning curve possible aka dry van, that might be for you. There are tanker companies out there that train. Last, but not least, refrigerated freight companies might be your best bet in this current economy, because they can move both food and dry goods in one trailer.

Also there are good companies that are LTL carriers that have some of the best benefits in the industry. you will need your hazmat and your doubles and triples endorsement along with your tanker. I have not seen a driver at one of the LTL companies complain about pay.

Last but not least, do you want to pay upfront for a school, get a grant from the government or state, or do you want to go to a company sponsor Truck Driving School and sign a contract?

when you sign a contract at a school, you are basically saying you will work for them for right around a year, maybe a year and a half. They take money out of your paycheck and that’s to pay back the cost associated with the school.

if you are prior military, you have access to the VA and in my opinion, I have never seen a company turned down a veteran for driving a truck.

the other option is getting a grant through the state via job corps or a state program like that, and going to school. Usually companies like Sage and community colleges that have truck driving programs accept state, grants, or from vocational rehabilitation.

before you choose a school, I would ask the trucking company which schools they hire from, and choose the school accordingly. Bottom line, do you research and hopefully this helps you out.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the expertise and insight there. I am highly considering becoming a driver.

lual · Jan 17, 2025

CalculatedRisk said: ↑

Companies that have their own school:
Swift
Prime
CFI
Millis Transfer
Certified Express Inc.
RE Garrison
Alabama Motor Express
CR England
Schneider National
Roehl
Leonard’s Express

please add to the list
Click to expand...

Also.....

Western Dairy Transport (food-grade tanker):

https://www.wdtmilk.com/driver-academies

-- L

Chinatown · Jan 17, 2025

JD33Centuries said: ↑

Thanks for the expertise and insight there. I am highly considering becoming a driver.
Click to expand...

Give us your location and we can give you some ideas about which companies hire from your area.
State & nearest town or zip code.
~
You can get free cdl school thru your state WIOA Program.
Google: WIOA Program (your state)
Or attend a trucking company cdl school.

CalculatedRisk · Jan 18, 2025

fellow members,

my journey to being a truck driver more than likely has come to an end. I have reasons id rather not discuss publicly on here. I know some of you are gonna be happy to hear this. I really don't care.

One thing I have learned is that it is wise to listen to medical professionals. Another thing that I have learned throughout the long journey is you have to know when to quit and when not to quit meaning you have to realize when something is going to work out. I'm cool with how this journey played out. All that I care about was that I gave it my 120% and sometimes in life things do not work out. That's what I have learned.

CalculatedRisk · Jan 18, 2025

I think if I were to return to anything that would be driving a charter bus or driving a class B local route vehicle. I have until 2030 but I really don't think what's going on in my life is going to improve and I am cool with that. I have posted more photos on social media and have talked to a A member on here who completely supports me and what I'm doing. If any of you want to reach out, feel free to. I'm just not comfortable posting my reasons.

JohnnyD70454 · Feb 12, 2025

CalculatedRisk said: ↑

fellow members,

my journey to being a truck driver more than likely has come to an end. I have reasons id rather not discuss publicly on here. I know some of you are gonna be happy to hear this. I really don't care.

One thing I have learned is that it is wise to listen to medical professionals. Another thing that I have learned throughout the long journey is you have to know when to quit and when not to quit meaning you have to realize when something is going to work out. I'm cool with how this journey played out. All that I care about was that I gave it my 120% and sometimes in life things do not work out. That's what I have learned.
Click to expand...

I just got hired for OTR CFI completed my 7500 miles and I'm waiting on my truck..however I just got offered a job at home ..from a local owner operator business...company says I can make 1500-2000 a week and will be driving flat beds and or dump trucks...want to leave and see but don't want to burn a bridge with CFI and leave on a bad note...any advice..perfect world I'd leave for a week try it and if I approve stay there but if I don't approve come back to CFI.any advice? I know OTR CFI maybe I'd make 1100 on a good week..and probably never be home..I'm not to concerned with home time ..just want to work and make money..

CalculatedRisk · Feb 12, 2025

it all depends on the company. It all depends on whether you're going to be 1099 or W-2 and how much the employer takes out for insurance. Factor those into consideration. see if you can find out how much it would cost for Insurance with the owner operator and see how much you would be paying taxes on a 1099 because chances are any small owner operator is going to pay you 1099.

Chinatown · Feb 12, 2025

@JohnnyD70454
I'd follow through with CFI.
Are you in Louisiana?
Is this your first driving job?

FearTheCorn · Feb 12, 2025

Well, when you get yourself squared away with your CDL, don't visit Miss Chiquita at the West Memphis J. Just don't.

JohnnyD70454 · Feb 12, 2025

Chinatown said: ↑

@JohnnyD70454
I'd follow through with CFI.
Are you in Louisiana?
Is this your first driving job?
Click to expand...

Yea first job..in the future I want to own operate but got to learn the business first ...safest thing to do would be stay with cfi but maybe not the best thing for growth..

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