Driving a truck is my dream job, will do whatever it takes to get my foot in the door

I went thru driver solutions which is company sponsored training. No try before u buy there, but its worked for me so far and fairly quickly. Also prime has a driving school that is mostly done with real world otr training. Last I looked u can quit after the first week for no charge if u decide its not for you. Other than that Idk what else to tell you. I'm sure some more experienced folks will chime in with other info.

 

Sure would help if you would have filled out your profile. Such as where you are.
Different states offer many ways to get your cdl. Or you can hire into a company that will train you.
but if you can you'll want to obtain your cdl if possible without signing a contract with a company that will have ties on you for your training. In my state if you qualify you can get training for FREE

 

Just my opinion first step is to research. Read some of the info on here the good and the bad and research all the different options there are as far as getting started with trucking.

 

Well ztw you have the pre-makings of a truck driver. I'd research all your options. Community colleges tend to have better training, cheaper, with better financing options.

Your first year isn't like many think, but you have to pay yours dues sort of speaking. That said I would shy away from committing to someone for a period of time.

Don't get sucked in by pretty ads and lying recruiters. You can find good advice here.

 

Go to a CDL school, shell out $3k thru $5k and you can get a CDL. Or do the company sponsored training, get your CDL through them for next to nothing, but you will be stuck with them for a year at least. CDL schools can give you wider options without signing your soul away. Some carriers will pay back a certain amount of tuition if you sign on with them. Experience is the name of the game. Some carriers will substitute the experience for a recent (within six months) of graduating from a recognized CDL school. If you got cash to spare, a CDL school will be a good route. If not, you can get the same thing plus valuable experience if you go with company sponsored training and then a month on the road with a trainer.

I chose the private school option and got tagged with a LTL carrier. There was no additional training, but they expected me to know everything.

Whatever you do, choose wisely. You got a good place here to do your research. Study companies, and look at the pros and cons.

 

If you can, stay away from the Big trucking companies, Why ?, because safety will dump you in a heart beat if even the slightest things go wrong. With so many new drivers looking to get in the door and pay for training it just more economically sound to get rid of you and others fast. At three to five thousand dollars a student keeping the training door open is Paramount !!!. The guys in safety do not look good if they can not find problems. I was 19 years old when I got started in trucking, I learned a lot from the drivers at Trans-Con and PIE back then. I did not work for them either, I just hung around with drivers after work. At age twenty got my first job at a small trucking outfit with seven trucks, all flat beds. At age 21 i was driving a truck. So what I'm saying is we did not have a web site to go to back then, we would get together at a table with a bunch of drivers after work and drink beer (not recommended) talking about are industry. Drivers that had been out for weeks doing OTR would stop and have a beer B/4 going home to the family, it was not uncommon. So I feel it is best to hook up with a small to mid size company, then when a problem arises the company will be more willing to work with you than against you. This web site is your table, use it , GOOD LUCK !!!

 

^----I agree with the above comment. Having money to go to school is the obvious prefered choice. My buddy got his CDL schooling paid for by the Job Corps or something. Regardless what route you take, you need to change your attitude from "whatever it takes" to being a lot more picky and doing a lot more research. There are too many carriers out there that will greet you with open arms, ready to milk you and screw you over in every way. Don't sign on with the first carrier to return your call. Last poster is right. Safety Dept will s#!t can you in a hurry if you make a mistake. And being let go for a "safety issue" will really screw your resume' and close a lot of doors when it comes to your marketability. Focus on smaller outfits if you can.

 

Once u do get your cdl make sure you do your best to keep it clean,try not to job hop,and most in important eat healthy and do some walking..stay fit..stay safe..good luck