I attended a trucking school at a community college in California. The training was brief, minimal and totally inadequate. A lot of time was wasted on inspection procedures on antiquated equipement. The practice driving time was minimal on tractors with a manual transmission, no sleeper berth, no sliders either on the 5th wheel or tandem. The trailors were 28 foot flatbeds, less than half the length of the 53 footers typically in use today. Nevertheless, I was able to get my CDL class A, but given the burden of responsibility of driving these behemoths on the road, I feel totally unprepared. Does anyone have advise as to where I should go from here?
Training for new licensee
Discussion in 'Trucking Schools and CDL Training Forum' started by lbgrim, Dec 20, 2025 at 12:19 PM.
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Any company that hires you will put you with a trainer for awhile. Don't overthink this new career.
Which city/town are you in or near? We'll give you some recommendations of companies that will get you started. Did the cdl school have any job contacts?
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Will you run teams for awhile or do you just want solo after the trucking company training period?tscottme Thanks this. -
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The math isn't mathing to me either @Big Road Skateboard
I understand what he's trying to say tho. -
CDL school is ONLY TO PASS THE STATE EXAM. You learn everything else at your first employer. Don't look for an employer with minimal time riding with a trainer. When I got my license it was common to ride with a trainer for 8 weeks before getting your solo truck.aussiejosh, BrothaTrucka513, FullMetalJacket and 1 other person Thank this.
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"I attended a trucking school at a community college in California."
That was your first mistake.
"The training was brief, minimal and totally inadequate."
Based on your subsequent description above -- I couldn't agree more.
"I feel totally unprepared."
Relax! So was I. Here's the GOOD news: the RIGHT starter carrier will usually fix that. Your takeaway here: 99.999% of the time, a CDL school graduate does not finish that curriculum as a trucking "ace"...& all the starter fleets know this. They will train you, as appropriate. Thus -- chill out.
-- Ltscottme Thanks this. -
At ruck school does not ever turn out a quaified driver, but a qualified student. The trainer you get from whom ever employ's you will add to your training. You dont need a sleeper, or a 53' trailer, for a drivers test, The last thing you need is a 5th wheel slider. I have had several tractors that I got new set the 5th wheel once and never touched it again. I would not or a 5th whell slider on a tractor. As far as the traier tandems, don't worry you will get plenty of practioce sliding. like almost everytime you back into a dock.
### far as feeling unprepared , you are, thats why you will have a trainer for 2 to 3 months. Don't argue with them, you can do it your way when you get your own truck. Also remember your moving into his house so only take some clothes and toiletry's. 1 Bag, plus a sleeping bag and pillow. Take no more than you can carry, because youu never know, pack light, get thru it, it will probably not be a bed of roses, just get thru it, learn eveything you can/tscottme Thanks this.
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