Another Newbie (Military Veteran) - FREE Training? So You Wanna Be a Trucker?

So yeah, I'm a somewhat of a "noob" myself, been wanting to be trucker for about 20 years. I'm hoping 2014 is my year!

What I've learned regarding schooling...

If you are looking for FREE training for a CDL, check with your local trucking school to see if there are GRANTS available. Grants are being provided under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). Grants do not have to be paid back.

Next, The following companies have company schools that will train you. Some will take payments out of your check, some will just require you work for them anywhere from 6 months to 2 years. The starting pay during training is anywhere from 325 to 600 (Prime) per week, then when you graduate training anywhere from 25 CPM to over 41 CPM (Prime) with bonuses.

C.R. England (aka Premier - school)
Knight (aka Squire - school)
CRST
Stevens
Prime*
Swift
FFE
Roehl
Pam (DS - see below)
USA Truck (DS - see below)
Millis
Central Refrigerated
MCT
Werner (see below)

Note: There may be others. Also, Pam and USA Truck work with a company called Driver Solutions for training. Werner may contract with a local school in your area and pre-hire you.

Please note that many truckers consider some of these companies the bottom of the barrel, and some of them are known as "student driver" companies. However, some of them EXCEL in what they pay(*) and how they treat their drivers.

Main qualifiers upfront are 3 years CLEAN background, and 3 years safe driving. It varies from company to company.

Also, for the military out there, many companies have extended "Apprentice" programs that will allow you to collect some GI Bill money on top of your pay for up to 1 year.

Incidentally, if you drove CDL trucks in the military an can prove via military license or signature of commander (on proper form) you can now get a CDL without school. This is an FMCSA approved program called the "Military Skills Test Waiver".

Many folks considering being driver are not aware that you can take all your permit tests at your local (CDL) DMV. They have the study guide there, usually for free, and there are lots of websites that will help you with practice test and study. Of course you may have to pay for testing that way, but could gain yourself a complete permit with endorsements, and just have to pass a driving test with a proper class commercial vehicle.

It may or may not be of benefit to have your permit before attending the above company schools, check with their recruiters or websites.

In some areas you can "rent" CDL trucks, sometimes with a little training included, for as little as $250 for taking your driving test.

I wouldn't recommend this route unless you have driven combo vehicles before and have a solid grasp on the pre-trip inspection and backing, as it would be dangerous for you and others on the road if you haven't had proper training or experience. As an option, perhaps you have a friend or relative that could take you on the road for training with your permit?

I would suggests any new driver research all your options and companies on one or several of the available trucking forums out there (including this one). There is a lot of great comprehensive information out there.

By the way, if you find someone on the forums who helped you to make a decision on a company they work for, you might ask (message) them if they get a referral bonus, you'll be doing them a solid, and probably have a new friend at your new company as well.

And remember, "free" or not, you will still most likely need at least $100-200 minimum on you to pay any fees and food to get through until you get an advance or paycheck (ask BEFORE you go).

Also, if you have monthly bills, you may have a few to several weeks lapse before you get paid, so be prepared. If you are single, strongly consider NOT having a rent payment (and associated utilities), since the industry average for OTR (Over the Road) drivers seems to be 3 weeks out for 2 days off.

Also, if you have no residence, you may consider becoming a resident of one of the following 7(9) "no State income tax" States:

Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, Wyoming. Dividend/interest income tax only in Tennessee and New Hampshire.

Consider one of the above states with routes for a company you want to work with. I've often seen 10 acre ranches for sale in Texas for $50 down/$50 a month...just an idea.

Lastly, do NOT lie about any jobs, tickets, or medical issues on your applications (and don't try to beat a drug test - be drug free), an intensive background check WILL be done on you, and you will more than likely be sent home on your own dime if you lie (or withhold the truth). I've seen it happen more than once.

Safe travels.

P.S. Any corrections to the above from those with experience is appreciated.

 

I wouldn't go so far as to say I am giving advice, more like sharing information and tips I've picked up along the way to help others like myself who want to be truckers (professional truck drivers). I'd prefer to leave real advice for those that have real experience out there (hence the "P.S."). I have wanted to drive for 20 plus years now, and for one reason or another was not able to, or was not ready to. I just found out about the WIA grants last week, so if all goes well 2014 may be the year I finally get my CDL. Some folks are eligible for Pell grants, but I am not since I used up my DOE educational benefits on college. For one reason or another over the years, financing school was not feasible for me. I've been a driver at heart for a long time, and always enjoy being around the big trucks.

 

My little Bro just used his GI Bill to pay for his CDL school in Texas, and hopes to use his benefits in an apprentice program for the first year. Unfortunately I have no GI Bill benefits (served pre-1990...yeah, I'm old...lol), but have a few months left on my VRAP.

Roehl is currently my second choice.

Thanks for the input and kind words.

 

Well I thought this would be best placed in a "Newbie" forum. Since a forum is a free exchange of thoughts on particular subjects, I try to place each post in a section that corresponds to the subject matter. As for acquiring knowledge, I've been a non-CDL (26' box truck) expedite driver for Velocity Express and Home Depot, I've interviewed 3 CDL schools over the years, I've talked to professional drivers, some who are close friends, I read/study at several trucker forums (not just this one), I have talked with recruiters, I took a course to be a driver recruiter, and I regularly read trucker websites, company websites, and trucking magazines, including 3 that I subscribe to. Like I said in a previous post, I've been a trucker at heart for a long time. This post in particular was to put a good amount of information in one post so someone who was wanting to pursue a driving career but didn't know how to pay for it could get an idea of some of the available options. I myself would not be facing the possibility of going to CDL school if I didn't learn of the WIA grants just last week. However, since I have not actually lived the life, I see my posts more as tips than as advice. I feel that one kinda needs experience for it to be advice. But I only need an imagination to share thoughts, which I do freely. If I can help one person then it was worth the time. And I make a few friends along the way, in the brotherhood of trucking. Looks like you've been driving for a few years, I'm curious, what was it about my post that inspired you to read it and decide to comment?