Paid CDL Training for Northeast Michigan residents

Discussion in 'Trucking Schools and CDL Training Forum' started by Nytak, Jan 23, 2021.

  1. Nytak

    Nytak Bobtail Member

    3
    0
    Jan 23, 2021
    0
    Hello TheTruckersReport members! I'm new here, and have done some searching but didn't see anything about this, hopefully I'm not asking a repeat question.

    I live in Northeast Michigan (Right around Alpena), and am looking into getting my CDL (time for a career change). I've been doing a bit of searching, but can't seem to find any companies with paid CDL training that have schools in MI, or have the region I live in within their hiring area. I think the closest I saw was Maverick, but their hiring area only goes about as far north as the I-69/96 corridor which is a good 200 miles south of me. I may very well wind up just calling and talking to them about this as I'd really like haul flatbeds, and they seem close enough that I can make the drive up north quick enough for decent home time.

    I see other companies (mostly megacarriers) have training facilities in Ohio, Illinois, or Pennsylvania. So how does this work? If I go through a paid CDL program out of state, how do I get my Michigan CDL? Would I just be better off going to one of our local CDL schools, paying the tuition upfront, and getting it back in tuition reimbursement after I find a job? Or am I just missing a few steps in this whole process of starting out?

    Again, sorry if this is a duplicate, and thank you taking the time to read/respond.

    Drive safe!
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

    68,036
    142,298
    Aug 28, 2011
    Henderson, NV & Orient
    0
    You can attend cdl training in another state, then when you graduate, take your paperwork to the Michigan DMV and be issued a Michigan CDL.
    `
    If you attend a private cdl school in your area, make sure it's at least 160 hr. school.
    Get all the endorsements while in school.
     
    Nytak Thanks this.
  4. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

    68,036
    142,298
    Aug 28, 2011
    Henderson, NV & Orient
    0
    [​IMG]
    Visit the nearest private school and ask for a list of companies that hire from that school.
     
    Nytak Thanks this.
  5. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

    68,036
    142,298
    Aug 28, 2011
    Henderson, NV & Orient
    0
    Last edited: Jan 23, 2021
    Nytak Thanks this.
  6. Nytak

    Nytak Bobtail Member

    3
    0
    Jan 23, 2021
    0
    Thank you for replying so quickly. Just one more question. When you say take my paperwork to the Michigan DMV to be issued the CDL, does that mean I would have to take the road test in MI? Or would I be taking the road test in the other state then take everything to MI and it's just a paperwork thing at that point? I guess that's where I get hung up. If I have to take the road test in MI after doing all the training in another state, where do I get the truck for the road test?
     
  7. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

    68,036
    142,298
    Aug 28, 2011
    Henderson, NV & Orient
    0
    Most states just give you an eye test, take a photo, then give you your cdl.
    Illinois and California play by their own draconian rules.
    Make a visit to your local DMV and ask in person. Phone calls usually just confuse whoever you happen to talk to on the phone.
     
    Nytak Thanks this.
  8. Nytak

    Nytak Bobtail Member

    3
    0
    Jan 23, 2021
    0
    I just double checked the DMV site and found a couple links to pages I think I missed that pretty much verifies exactly what you said. That'll have to do for now since going there is still by appointment only (MI still pretty locked down). Thank you again for all the information! I'll definitely be looking into those companies you linked. It's a pain getting past the first three pages of megacarrier ads on google search.
     
  9. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

    68,036
    142,298
    Aug 28, 2011
    Henderson, NV & Orient
    0
    Keep this in mind; apply to any company you're interested in, even if you don't think you'll be hired.
    Some companies have some flexibility that won't be advertised on the websites, such as "experience required."
    Several I listed have their own cdl school and also hire from private schools. Some will reimburse private school tuition back to you in monthly installments.
     
    Last edited: Jan 23, 2021
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.