help a uk wannabee start trucking in the USA

You're just begging to be fed to the sharks, aren't you? I'd suggest you put a bit more thought into it before you make such statements. You want to live in a 70 inch box (and one that you'll be sharing with someone else, at that) year round? I'd be willing to bet money that your disposition would change significantly within a couple months. I don't need to know you to make that wager - I know life on the road. I've been there before, where it all seemed so new and exciting, and I'd never want to do anything else. In case you haven't figured it out by this point, I don't exactly feel the same way 10 years later. Neither will you.
Enthusiasm is a good thing. Enthusiasm to the point where it leaves you open to exploitation.... good for companies, not so good for you.

There's a whole section of this forum dedicated to truck driving schools. I'd suggest you mosey on over there and do some reading.

You should be more concerned with the training program of the company you go to, and whether or not you'll be paired up with a competent training. Truck driving school is there to get you through the road test and get a CDL in your hands - the real learning begins after that.

First, you need to research companies, and see if there's one which fits you and has its own school. Pay particular attention when you do this, because with a company school, you'll be tethered to that company for a bit.

Again, there's a whole subforum dedicated to truck driving schools.

Honestly. You fill out the information, and that'll be that. Most of the time, the only inconvenience to you will be filling out your info. Maybe you'll have a 20 - 30 phone conversation with the agency performing the background check.

References are references. They're there so that you have someone to say, "No, she's not an axe murder", "Yes, she was a good coworker", etc. Use what you've got.

It wouldn't hurt to have it handy.

 

And please understand that even if I came across as a bit harsh, I'm not trying to give you the cold shoulder here. A lot of people come into this with idealized and romanticized notions of what it is, when the reality of it isn't quite the same. You see these movies from the 70s, you listen to songs such as this one, and when that's the only thing giving you your perception of this occupation and the industry, it tends to distort your view of it. And, don't get me wrong - I enjoy my job. But, I'm also aware of the not-so-bright side of things.
But welcome to the forum, and don't be a stranger. There's a wealth of information to be found on here, and I hope it serves you well. As mentioned earlier, there's the section about truck driving schools (most of us have only been to one, so we really can't compare and contrast a bunch of different schools, but you can still read about firsthand experiences different members have had with different schools), and there's also the "Trucking Company DAC Reports" section where you can read about prospective future employers. Best of luck to you.

 

yeah i am old enough to recall it so i will.reading her post reminds me of the disco fever song-"Busting Loose".I feel like busting loose-(referencing her housewife/mother statement).

state run is the only route to take.never enter into something where you start out as an indentured servant.you will become miserable, not that i know firsthand, but i have spoken to many disgruntled drivers that are locked into driving for a company that trained them.severely limits you for the agreed upon and signed off on time frame.breaking that contract costs big money for the most part.much more than a state run facility.

best of luck to you gsg! you have a great attitude-

 

I used to do 6-7 weeks out with Stevens. With my current company, 2 weeks at the most. I don't know how I managed doing 7 weeks, but the big difference is back then I didn't have two kids that missed me.

 

Stevens wasn't a bad company when I was there, but keep in mind that was over 12 years ago.

Heck a lot has changed. Back then Swift puttered along governed at 57 mph and you couldn't keep up with Prime trucks!