How to get OTR experience

You don't really learn how to drive in CDL school.

That school teaches you JUST ENOUGH to get your CDL.

Nothing more.

Thus -- for your first carrier, you want an employer who will REALLY TEACH YOU how to drive a big rig -- & do that on a professional level.

And to that end -- tell us here on the Forum your AZ zip code, & we can make some other worthwhile suggestions.

-- L

 

The fastest way to get OTR experience is just to simply, hit the road. There is no shortcut to greatness. Gotta crawl before you walk.

 

No. You get experience after you are hired. Nobody is going to risk their truck or job letting you drive it without insurance coverage.

 

Schneider has the shortest training period that I know of; 11 days.
Schneider Jobs - CDL Truck driving, Diesel Technician, …
At the bottom of the opening page is contact information.

 

Schneider cut me loose, and assigned me a tractor after just 4 1/2 days.

No brag -- just the truth.

It's up to you if you want a REEEEEEEEEE-ALLY SHORT training period (or not).

Personally, in hindsight -- I don't recommend it.

Most any other "starter" carrier will put you out with a trainer for a minimum of like....3 weeks, or more.

That's MUCH BETTER for you -- in the long run.

As I write this -- your BIGGEST problem....is actually getting accepted at a worthwhile starter carrier.

It's terrible out there, right now (for beginners).

-- L

 

Sane, normal people don't need more than 11 days training, unless it's hazmat tankers.
Truck driving isn't that difficult, such as flying a space ship to Mars.

 

I would respectfully submit.....

Too much....is FAR BETTER....than not enough.

-- L

 

No way around going out with a trainer. As others have already said, different companies have different requirements, but you're gonna spend some time in a truck with a stranger. With that said, think hard on what you wanna do during the period that starts when you get off your trainer's truck and ends when you can finally go where you want to.

My advice is to avoid OTR unless that's what you would do even if you didn't have to. Look for something regional even if you have to wait a few weeks after you get your CDL to start.

 

Started out driving on the farm, taught myself how to drive with a few pointers from my dad. Worked for several local farmers and ranchers hauling hay, potatoes, beets, straw, cattle, equipment in the early 2000s. Then finally got one of them to pay for me to get my CDL in 2013. Studied the manual, took the written test, scheduled the road test, borrowed a farm truck for the road test. Hauled cattle for him for a few years. Then got a job with a local fertilizer company hauling fertilizer to farmers.

Then I decided to go OTR in December of 2017... Walked in the door said I wanted to drive for them and asked for a tour of the property and equipment.
Went for a short drive test with the safety guy. He said he would hire me.

Went home packed a bag. 3 days later I showed up, peed in a cup, he threw me the keys pointed out a truck and trailer and said it's loaded, you leave tomorrow, follow him and pointes out another driver in another truck and trailer. And away I went.

I drove for them almost 5 years and got nearly 600k miles with them, almost all OTR. I have never rode with a trainer, never teamed, never attended any kind of orientation or training specific to trucking... Solo from day 1.

Obviously this is not the normal way of doing it... And with the minimum training requirements now, I dont even think its possible.