So, I got my CDL...

nope youre doing it right experience will come with the miles you put down, remember save up for the unexpected and work hard. the beginning is always rough but keep your head in the right place and dont get ahead of your self youll do fine good luck driver

 

Yes,Good Luck and Welcome to the forums...
Plenty of very good advice with the members here.

Sounds like you have a good plan so far!

 

I had no experience at all coming into this business as well. I am still a rookie and constantly learning new things. I am sure you know this but there is more to trucking then jumping in the truck and heading down the road. Since you did not hire on with a company that will typically make you aware of all the FMCSA rules and regulations that are out here today, make sure you familiarize yourself with them. You have to carry one of those books with you in your CMV anyway so you might as well read it instead of letting it collect dust.

This isn't the good old days anymore. Know your stuff and you should be okay.

 

Well Partner while the odds are against you, I am assuming that the Uncle with the money to put up to get you moving is in the know where the good freight is? I also assume that you have to know someone who will give a brand new guy these loads! I think you have a HUGE advantage. Good Luck!

 

Wish I had the courage to jump straight to having my own truck. There is a lot to just being a company driver so owning your own is just much more responsibility. Good luck and keep us updated

 

I was offered a T&T and loads for the cost of insurance and low monthly payments but after seeing the cost of insurance for a year I figured I would be better finding a company job until I could make payments. I would applaud you if you were able to run a T&T with no experience and get people to give you loads off of any load board. Yes there is money to be made with a flatbed rig BUT your going to half to do allot of clawing and climbing to get up to a paycheck. Do you have any sort of load securement training or idea how many straps or tarps you need? Your much better off going to a training school getting a cert and then working for one of the big carriers for a year to get experience then look into getting your own rig. Before I went through CDL school I thought it was rough with all of the DOT rules and regs BUT I never thought there so much more to it than there is. If you have ever seen the green book you know how thick it is and as a o/o your going to need to know more than half of that book by heart and any other applicable state laws.
Bottom line is slave for someone else and let them cover your first year learning expenses and build your CSA and DAC scores.

 

yea u will get the experience having yo own trk BUT! U may have a issue with different companies even if u are a independent o/o the company u are trying 2 get that load from they will ask u how long have u been driving especially on the high value loads i'm surprised that a insurance company will insure u with no experience yo ins rate may be they roof you are gonna have 2 have at least 2million that's including the cargo INS. There are alot of components 2 being a independent o/o u are gonna have 2 get somebody 2 help micro manage everything since u want 2 do flatbed y don't u sign on with a company 4 about 3 months 2 learn how 2 secure yo load, etc. then go out on yo own MAIN THING IS PLEASE PLEASE BE SAFE!!! don't be 1 of the statistics

 

Congrats...with your attitude, you WILL succeed!!!!!