I have my permit now I need help

The ugly truth is DIY (do it yourself) cdl is dead. Insurance companies are demanding new drivers to be trained by an accredited school before they will agree to insure a newbie.

The time of farm kids being taught to drive tractors and pull hay wagons around a field to practice with and then taking a friends big truck to the dmv office for their test is long gone.

If your serious about becoming a driver then you must re-think your positions.

As a newbie you will have to pay your dues (we all have) meaning otr. OTR is the main entry level conduit to this industry. To get a "local" job requires years of all season "verifiable experience."

With that understanding now you have option of signing on with a large carrier that will foot the bill for your training provided you agree to work for them for 1 to 2 years. This is common. Stick it out and you can use that experience to qualify for the job you really want.

By the way, it will not kill you to swallow your pride and spend some time away from the wife and kiddies. It will compel your wife to become more self sufficient and will put you on the fast track to getting that coveted "local job" that will permit you to return home each day.

As a Husband and father I have been on the road for a long time (my choice). I got a personal loan for my training and paid it off within 2 years. The good thing is my family has had a stable income with benefits even if I have not been there every day.

 

I have to agree that going OTR would be a waste of time for you if you want to run heavy equipment. But it looks like you're in a jam and have to pay out of your pocket to go to school. I don't know your area but I'd find the cheapest school around and in your case a CDL mill would work just fine. There are loan programs out there you might be able to use but if you can't I'd stick around and do any job until something like the IUOE opened up. I'd even look to refinance my home if I needed a school for a good job.

You have to ask yourself if you and your family would be happy if you moved away. It sounds like you have a nice deal where you're at and you only need a break for a good job. I'd stick it out but that's me. Good luck and let us know what happens.

 

I too paid for my own training. I didn't want to go into it looking like I was not committed to a new career. And 3 straight weeks in a classroom with driving pro's is a good way to focus and get the history of the crazy 70s that lead to the need for educating drivers. I'm up for being away for 6 weeks or more as long as I get the miles ($$). I'll become deeply dissatisfied if I play their game and don't get some great experience from OTR. These days a family can't make it if one partner isn't willing to do really hard work and make really hard decisions, like going OTR.

 

It will compel your wife to become more self sufficient

There are human beings who are self-sufficient and human beings who are not.

Being a "wife" does not put you in one category or the other.

If you need proof I am sure we can all start telling stories about "self-sufficient" women ......as well as recounting our experiences with extremely NON self-sufficient men.........

Com'on...... you guys are usually pretty good about these things........ I mean, have you seen some of the "truckers" out there on the road? How would you like it if those guys were used to represent ALL truckers?