Company sponsored CDL training

I'm in the same position as you are. I am currently looking to get my CDL and have done extensive research. This is what I found. One truck driving school I went to, Roadmaster in Orlando florida, sang me a beautiful song about If I could pay for it myself almost Five Thousand dollars then they could get me my CDL in three weeks. Further they have recuriters from the big trucking companies who come to school who wil hire me and pay my tuition reimbersement. The problem being is that these companies are usually referred to in the industry as bottom feeders, Weiner Swift, Rohal CR England. They will hire you, work your ### off for little pay (for more information please see this forum dedicated to each company.) The next alternative is to let the company pay for your training this usualy cost around six thousand dollars can you say kickback and then you are obligated to work for them for a set period of time usually around a year for which they will pay a small amount of your tuition back to you, usually around $100 to $150 a month. If you get fired or leave you have to pay back. WHATEVER YOU DO AVOID THIS.

The best way I found was to go the college or community college route. About five miles from Roadmaster academy I found Mid Florida Tech. Its a bit more diffcult to get into (for example they require that you read and speak english) Belieive me a lot of these truck driving schools don't care and a lot of truck companies will look the other way when hiring them because they are cheap easy to maniuplate labor.

However you should not have a problem if you can find one nearby. The course cost twenty three hundered less then half at the truck driving schools. Also they train you for eight weeks 320 hours much more then you would get at a three week academy. I realize going the extra time is a pain but you will be much better off coming out of one of these colleges then any driving academy. I've had recuriters tell me they will not recurit out of one these driving mills. So If you can I would advise looking into this alternative. Also even if you still can't afford it.

See if the state has anything to offer in way of assistance. Beleive it or not I got my First CDL about ten years ago and the state of Florida paid for everything incuding the hotel room but I was never able to use it so now I have to go back on my own. and it was back before the economy went south. But it never hurts to contact you're unemployment bureau or Job Assistance and see what you turn up. I know you said you were not eligable under the vetrens act but I would double check. From what I understand all vetrens are eligable. Hope this helps most important do your reseach. This forum is a great place to start.

 

CRE is EVIL. avoid them. ive had nothing but good experience with swift so far(the recruiters and admin,) so id say go with them. or perhaps central.

 

I would try Roehl, I know they hire drivers out of portland, Idk if they will put you thru there cdl school or not. I would give them a call, cant hurt. When i started there as a flatbed driver I started at .34cpm , not great but better than .26 at swift.

 

Roehl is a good choice, that is where I'm going. The only nice thing about Central Refrigerated though is you don't have to pay for anything up front other than food costs.

 

Bad driving history? I'll assume that what it was other than criminal charges. A lot of these companies want a clean driving history for the past 5 - 7 years.