I really need help getting started!

Both Stevens in Dallas and FFE in Fort Worth have training programs. FFE lists that they do hire at 21. My Stevens paper application states the minimum age is 22.

Here's a school in Elm Mott that offers 100% financing:

http://www.truckingschool.com/

 

If you want to drive OTR wait until you are 21 and apply for a company that offers schooling. Under the section that says questions from new drivers, there is a link that says "click here for schools that hire new drivers, or something close to that. Those will be schools that will hire you at 21 and put you through a program to get your cdl. There are going to be good and bad stories about each company on that list but you need to find the one company that has the least amount of bull****. Find one that fits your needs as much as possible. MAybe one that has a terminal close to your home that may guarantee more hometime. You cant always believe the horror stories you read on here, im sure some are true but the majority are exaggerated. You won't start out at very high pay, if you go with prime it will be around 0.34 cents a mile, central refrigerated is 0.28 and i think swift is around 0.25, but if you put your time in at these companies you can then move on and expect to make a little bit more. Then decide if you want to be hauling vans, reefers, flatbeds etc etc...this will help to decide on what company to go with. Hope this helps.

 

I would go with the company with the least amount of complaints overall. COmpanies like Swift, Prime, Central, Stevens all would be good starting companies in my opinion, whatever you do, don't lease a truck.

 

you will always find more bad than negative.

I went to a tech school in 1990. It was an "arrangement with a company I was starting with. Their insurance required it. Seems insurance requirements has been that one constant since then requiring school.

put a little confidence in yourself that you CAN do this and you will if it's what you really want and make the best of it.

Don't accept the lowest paying position either.

Go to coke/pepsi.

If you are in Tx, then go to the DMV and start studying the manual so you can pass your written tests. If you show up to a company with your permit, it shows initiative if they have any program to help with getting road time.

Showing initiative is a good thing.
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/DriverLicense/

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/DriverLicense/documents/DL-7C.pdf