Driving School.

Is your dad a successful O/O? If so, then if you can plug into his system it may work. And if that is the case, then his advice would be golden. Don't taint it with internet forum conjecture.

But it doesn't really sound like he is an O/O from the info you have given. And your excuse to jump right into O/O is because of a felony... If your excuse was you are a seasoned entrepreneur with a keen business mind, then the idea of success would at least be plausible. But I don't think your idea of being willing to work at a loss for the experience is a sound business plan. That is the whole idea of working for someone else first. So you can actually MAKE money while learning the ins and outs.

But I'm sure people up against greater odds of failure have succeeded. If you are serious about coming here for advice, you should post your business plan and get some real guidance. -- You have a business plan right?

 

Work as Company driver. (Its the detail that goes with being a successful Owner Operator, i.e. to not have this knowledge can erode your self esteem.)

Your words, you say u have a steak knife, well as a Company Driver you should be able to save 25K per year...that amount can build up quickly.

 

On an somewhat related note are there business plans out there for someone to look at and study? I realize not everyone's plan will work with someone else but it would be good to at least be introduced to the concept. I went to school for puters not that there money n stuff

 

There is a post about a month or so ago; the guy did exactly what you plan to do.
Big problem, no brokers will give him loads because he has no experience. Don't have a clue how he got insurance, if he even has any.

Study the OOIDA website for the business end of trucking and load boards.

Here's a simple question; when you go to the DMV for your CDL, can you do a proper pre-trip, exactly as they want it? How many items do you check, what is the proper nomenclature, what are you looking for with each item you check. YouTube has some videos on Pre-trip; check it out because the DMV is dead serious about this.

It's like they tell a new convict, "We can do this the easy way or the hard way; take your pick."

Do it the easy way and attend a CDL school. Times have changed since your father started driving and since I started driving. I'd probably make a fool of myself at the DMV these days.

Your felony is nothing; I don't know what you did, but a job, dozens, waiting for you as long as you have a CDL school certificate. You will go to work the day you graduate. Yes, CDL schools, private/community college/trucking company, accept felons. Some may require a pre-hire letter first, but that's no problem either.

 

Yes, check the OOIDA website.

 

To get a commercial driver's license, you must be able to pass a CDL pre-trip inspection covering over 100 inspection points.All inspection items & their conditions are included on the checklist. The complete study guide covers these 20 vehicle sections:

• Front of Tractor
• Engine Compartment
• Front Wheel
• Front Brakes
• Front Suspension
• Driver's Side
• Back of Tractor Cab
• Front of Trailer
• Drive Wheels
• Drive Brakes
• Drive Suspension
• Coupling System
• Rear of Tractor
• Side of Trailer
• Trailer Wheels
• Trailer Brakes
• Trailer Suspension
• Rear of Trailer
• Passenger Side of Vehicle
• In-Cab Inspection

This checklist covers over 100 inspection items. Each item includes a description of the item's condition.
Can you name every pre-trip inspection item?

 

AMEN!! Not to mention your road test. These CDL examiners will be watching you drive. They are looking for specific things as you drive. While i'm sure your father is an excellent and experienced driver, he could teach you "bad driving habits" that could fail you on the road test. Not necessarily bad habits, but improper habits. I'm guilty of it, and I'm sure most drivers on this forum are guilty of it as well. IMO, its best to go to a school. Try your local community college or tech school, these are usually far cheaper than a "CDL MILL."