Wioa

WIOA does pay for them if you get it.

 

My hazmat endorsement has helped me get most of the CDL jobs I've had.

In hindsight -- I could not afford to NOT have it.

I think most of the world calls that sort of thing an "investment" (& not an "expense").

Especially in the present CDL job market -- you'll need every edge/advantage you can get.

Think about it....



-- L

 

OK

 

If you have the option of a community college, that's the one I would recommend. There's nothing wrong with a private school, that's the route I took, but programs at colleges are almost universally accepted by trucking companies. Also, a lot of the colleges still train on manuals, whereas the private schools are moving in the direction of automatic only. Most companies have automatics, but there are a good number out there, especially in LTL and tanker, that run mixed fleets. They might not want to hire a driver who can only drive some of their trucks.

As far as length of program goes, it's good that you want as much training as possible, but don't overthink it. CDL school does not teach you to drive a truck. That's the job of your first company and your driver trainer. School teaches you just enough to pass the CDL exam. An extra month of school wouldn't have left me any more prepared than I was when I got behind the wheel at my first company.

 

Rock-solid advice.....

-- L

 

I think some don't read all the posts, you said this ...

My safety girl read this and she laughed, said to me that they will think you are a guy ...

I am going to recommend you get ALL the endorsements YOU CAN before you get on the road, it makes you more marketable.

You doing this later is going to be a PIA, you will have to pay for your license to be changed and all of that, just get it done when you get your CDL, you will be happy you do.