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

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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