CDL A license without school... would any OTR company hire me?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by WalterSobchak, May 18, 2014.

  1. WalterSobchak

    WalterSobchak Medium Load Member

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    May 16, 2014
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    Long story short, Ive been an equipment operator for several years and started trying to obtain my CDL in part to add to my resume so to speak. Some of the smaller clearing and grading companies Ive worked with don't keep full time truck drivers to run a low boy or dump truck, so it would be nice to have when needed. I obtained my permit a few months ago and since then I have been getting my training behind the wheel of a log truck once or twice per week. I get in around 250-300 miles of driving each time. I'll probably go ahead and get the hazmat endorsement just to have it. I'm scheduled to do my pre-trip and skills test on June 4th.

    Anyway, Ive always liked trucks and now that Im driving some, Ive started wondering if I could make a career of it. Just thru the people I know I could probably get a local job hauling logs or a running a dump truck. But if I wanted to hit the road, would any OTR or regional company take me without having attended a formal truck driving school? Even the training companies like Swift and Schneider say on their websites they want people with experience or have completed an "approved truck driving school". Were I to pursue this I kinda hate to sign on with a company that would send me to their school to obtain the license I would already have and then I would be tied to them for a certain period of time due to the cost of the school.

    Im just curious what my options might be.
     
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  3. tow614

    tow614 Road Train Member

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    This subject has been discussed several times on here. Insurance companies would not allow fleets to hire anyone without otr experience unless they went through a school first. You may be able to find a small company to hire you but they ordinarily wont pay much but once you got a year or 2 under your belt then you could move up.

    just call and explain your situation and see what you can do.
     
  4. WalterSobchak

    WalterSobchak Medium Load Member

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    Sorry about this subject having been previously covered. I kinda figured I would be limited by a CDL without a school. It was something I had just been considering. If I decide to pursue it further, I can do like you said and ask around some companies and see if I can get in somewhere. Worst thing they can say is no.
     
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  5. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Call some good high paying, quality companies and ask which schools in your area they recruit from.
    Superior Carriers would be a good start.
    The tanker/hazmat companies have a list of schools they accept new drivers from. Some flatbed companies do also.

    Here's a few:
    Superior Carriers
    Trimac
    Schneider Bulk
    CTL Transportation
    SVTN
    Tidewater Transit
    Melton Truck Lines
    TMC
     
  6. born&raisedintheusa

    born&raisedintheusa Road Train Member

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    It makes one wonder. Who runs the trucking companies, the insurance companies or the trucking companies themselves?

    God bless every American and their families! God bless the U.S.A.!
     
    Moving Forward and EZX1100 Thank this.
  7. shredfit1

    shredfit1 Road Train Member

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    I hear you, it's getting worse all the time. However, the boss can still go to bat for a guy they really wanna hire with the insurance carrier. But you are right, insurance is basically telling them whom they can or cannot hire.
     
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  8. SlowPoke44magnum

    SlowPoke44magnum Medium Load Member

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    You would probably be able to be hired by just about any of the training companies if you agreed to go through their full on training program, the one newbies sign a contract for to get their CDL's even though you already have yours. Pick up the phone and make some calls to them and ask.
     
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  9. X-Country

    X-Country Medium Load Member

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    cdl schools exist to teach you the principles and fundamentals of driving a commercial vehicle. being out with a trainer is to refine those skills learned and to learn the other components of the job (dealing with shipper/consignee, trippak/transflo stuff, managing your hours, setting tandems, backing, trip planning, finding a rest stop/truck stop for the night, fueling procedures and deakkng with weigh stations and dot inspections. among many more).

    not really in your benefit to skip cdl school just to save some money.
     
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  10. EZX1100

    EZX1100 Road Train Member

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    insurance companies run EVERYTHING because without insurance you cannot run many businesses (by law) so they dictate what they will and will not accept

    hence we are serfs of the insurance industry, even our health costs and coverages
     
    mje Thanks this.
  11. Moving Forward

    Moving Forward Heavy Load Member

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    Hey mje, that signature you have is VERY distracting from the OP's question... :biggrin_25525: but thank you! Wow, your wife has a great smile!!!
     
    mje Thanks this.
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