Truckers Report Jobs

Find Trucking Jobs

Company Driver Company Driver Dry Van Dry Van Flatbed Flatbed Refrigerated Refrigerated Specialized Specialized Owner Operator Owner Operator
More Trucking Job Searches ⌄ Fewer Trucking Job Searches
⌃

School vs No School

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by kcmav, Jul 17, 2012.

  1. Jul 17, 2012 #1
    kcmav

    kcmav Bobtail Member

    3
    1
    Jul 16, 2012
    0
    I little history. I have driven OTR in a Straight Truck expediter for almost 5 years. I understand Log books and DOT rules and unrwritten rules of the road. I have had the same frustrations of Big rigs with 4 wheelers. I have had the joy of having been pulled into the scale for DOT inspection when the load was running late. I have ran coast to coast, border to border. Yet I do not have a CDL. All of this has been in an Isuzu FTR, yes it does qualify for having a sleeper, St. George Port of Entry busted out the tape measure. It met the minimums. Now comes the Question. Do I still go to a CDL School or do I get the CDL on my own. I can pass the test, no problem. I just don't want the headaches of being under contract. Is there a company that will take someone that doesn't go to a "School"? I know there is a difference in driving a big truck otr over a box truck, but the OTR experience has to count for something.
     
    kcmav, Jul 17, 2012
    kcmav, Jul 17, 2012
    #1
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Jul 17, 2012 #2
    Mathias77

    Mathias77 Bobtail Member

    11
    4
    Jul 16, 2012
    0
    been driving a rolloff truck hauling dumpsters and flatbed loads for 4yrs... decided to do like you and have been getting crap from alot of the bigger companies about "not being experienced"... i do have a class A though... I know that's not really much of an answer but it's just my experience. God luck bud
     
    Mathias77, Jul 17, 2012
    Mathias77, Jul 17, 2012
    #2
  4. Jul 17, 2012 #3
    CondoCruiser

    CondoCruiser The Legend

    19,726
    18,734
    Apr 18, 2010
    Tennessee
    0
    Most big trucking companies require you have completed an accredited school. A community college with a Pell Grant and Stafford Loan is your best bet.

    A truck driver with 20 years experience can come off the road for three years and he'll be treated like he has zero experience. It's mainly an insurance thing and keeping current on regulations and laws.

    What's hurting you is the vehicle/CDL A, and no formal training.
     
    CondoCruiser, Jul 17, 2012
    CondoCruiser, Jul 17, 2012
    #3
  5. Jul 17, 2012 #4
    Wooly Rhino

    Wooly Rhino Road Train Member

    3,367
    5,648
    Jul 6, 2008
    Liberty, Missouri
    0
    I agree. Go to school. The companies are set up to recruit you out of schools. Your advantage will be that you know that the schools do not teach you to drive they teach you to pass a test and get you hired. That what all schools do. You learn on the job. Doctors, lawyers, school teachers, they all learn on the job. Schools just weed out folks. Don't be a weed, go to school.
     
    Wooly Rhino, Jul 17, 2012
    Wooly Rhino, Jul 17, 2012
    #4
  7. Jul 17, 2012 #5
    RickG

    RickG Road Train Member

    12,812
    6,137
    Jul 22, 2008
    Owensboro , KY
    0
    Everybody is talking about the "big companies" requiring school . You want to avoid those companies anyway . It has also been said all the schools do is qualify you to get your license . You already know all the schools will teach you except backing a trailer . Why invest several weeks and several thousand dollars on that .
    Check around with local companies . Averitt has a refresher course . You might qualify for that .
     
    RickG, Jul 17, 2012
    RickG, Jul 17, 2012
    #5
  8. Jul 17, 2012 #6
    nicholas_jordan

    nicholas_jordan Medium Load Member

    608
    101
    Mar 31, 2012
    temple texas
    0
    I agree with RickG though for someone who has zero or near zero time either in trucks or around heavy equipment generally the "school" route, if paid for by legit company, gives you time to acclimatize ~ that is nerve-wrecker for me - someone who does not have 1,000 + hours operating 55,000 # @ 55 mph is heebie-jeebies for "supervisors" ....

    For me, all I need is ten minutes to find where the controls are, I can back straight 100' with no cones to guide me ..... need time to learn backing to a dock but that does not take several thousand dollars feeding some sales person,....
     
    nicholas_jordan, Jul 17, 2012
    nicholas_jordan, Jul 17, 2012
    #6
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.