Which gets me driving solo faster, CDL A from DMV or attending a company sponsored training academy

Just curious from others experience/opinion which is better and got them earning faster and driving solo (also passenger approved program a must)

 

getting your CDL on your own dime gives you more choices.......time wise about the same.
good luck

 

I've heard anything from 2-3 weeks otr training to up to 6 weeks and also 30,000 miles. Just seems to be all over the place

 

Both will work, but if you get your CDL on your own. You are free and clear. No contract time, no shady trainers (from a mega) and gives you the opportunity to look around and see whats best for you. The initial cost is on you, but IMO, the benefits outweigh the ridiculous contract some of these companies put on you for training.

Also, I would get at least tanker and HAZMAT (86.50 up front cost) while your training so it's fresh in your head, and that will also open you up to more companies. TWIC (125.25 for new app) would be nice as well, if you can afford it, but not needed.

As for everything else. Ride program, solo, etc... that will depend on the company you go with.

 

Having a CDL without training is kinda useless. Because everyone know just passing the test is not enough to drive a truck in say city traffic. How about driving down a hill without over heating the brakes. How about driving in the snow so you don't jackknife. You have other problem without some training. Most insurance companies won't insure a new driver without any training. So the trucking company insurance company won't let them hire you. Sure some company will but who know what they are doing as far as running a legal trucking company. The white Volvo Russian guys in Chicago are will hire anybody. So it just depends on what you want.

 

I figured there would be training, just trying to figure out if it would put me ahead of the cab drivers and non committed "maybe I can drive a truck" guys getting hired by these "White Russians" or "Kahlua Krazies" I keep hearing about.

 

I'm serious about this and don't want to be held up or held back by people who don't understand this lifestyle and what it takes and what kind of person it takes to be a good trucker. I grew up in this life and like Robert Duvall said " I love the smell of diesel in the morning!". Wait.... Yeah going with that

 

What Brandt is saying and I implied to, but didn't actually say is, that trying to get a CDL on your own will not happen. You will have to go to some type of school and have at XX amount of hours class and drive time before get your CDL. In VA where I got mine, I couldn't even get my permit until I was enrolled and passed the basic test.

The big thing will be if you have the money (or grant, GI Bill, loan, etc...) to do the schooling on your own. If you don't then your next step will be a company that has it's own CDL course. The school I went to was 6500.00. (G.I. Bill paid) So being able to come up with that up front is next to impossible for most people. Are there cheaper? Yep. So you'll have to find a happy place that you feel comfortable with and can learn from.

If you need some help @Chinatown is a wealth of knowledge about companies and might be able to point you in directions you didn't even know about.

 

Thanks Nuke, all valuable info! Sounds like best option is good reputable company with real otr training that doesn't last forever before I can start earning and learning in real time/real behind the wheel of a truck my wife and I can call our home away from home.

 

Here's two more with cdl school and rider program, but Wilson would be my first choice.
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CFI
https://cfidrive.com
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Stevens Transport – Corporate website of Stevens Transport ...
https://www.stevenstransport.com