Advice on what to do

You're right; use the school bus option as a last resort, but it's better than nothing.
As for cdl school, go to one that offers 160 hr. course. Don't need anything longer than that.
Some household goods movers can use you as a drivers helper, but when you cross state line you have to sit in the passenger seat.
Google : household goods movers (your city)

Some other drivers on here will have some good suggestions also. Try the dairy company also.

 

Put your location on your profile so some drivers can point you in the direction for possible jobs. We need to know the hiring area you live in.
For your first cdl job, you will need:
original birth certificate
original social security card - not laminated

 

Chinatown always has good advice! I would add that working out of Quakertown, most big truck cos. are running out of state to NJ, NY etc.

I do know that there is help in PA for unemployed folks to receive CDL training. Maybe there are programs for HS or Tech School students. If you could get in on that deal it would save you a lot of cash.

There's nothing wrong with working a local box truck for just a few years to get your feet wet. The glory days of life on the road are over. If you run the NE in a big truck it's a tough job everyday with traffic and crazies. Ease into this career and see how you feel over time.

 

Working locally is great practice, you get to backup lots, so by the time you are ready for the big road you'll have more skill and confidence.
Use to be no one would put us on the highway until we had at least two years experience on smaller trucks.

 

Go be a truck driver (88M MOS) in the Army for three years. You'll get lots of preventative maintenance and driving experience. When you get out you'll be 21 years old and ready for interstate driving. And, you can then use your GI bill to pay for up to date 160 hour CDL course. You will probably have to train with a company for a few weeks, but you will be well on your way to becoming a professional truck driver. This may not work for everybody, but it did work for me.

 

I went in at 17, and became a 64C, which is what they called it before it got changed to 88M.

I drove a truck around Europe for five and a half years, very good experience.

I believe some states will let veterans convert a military license to a CDL without the schooling.

 

Be a truck driver in the US Navy SeaBees. One of my sons did just that. After discharge went right to work for Matlack "Pipeline on Wheels", pulling hazmat/tankers OTR then went to some reefer outfit hauling seafood from Florida to California, back and forth.

 

At 18 I wasn't able to do interstate alone, so I went with a bedbugger.
They get tired of having to hire laborers Everytime they load and unload.
I had a blast, made good money, and got experience.
When i turned 21 I went out alone.

 

Just so the OP knows, a "bedbugger" is referring to household goods movers.