Transitioning In to Trucking for Longterm Career, Timing Advice Needed

Hello,

I am transitioning in to a trucking career from an entirely different career. My resignation date with my current employer is about 6 months away. I have worked for this employer for over two decades. (I hope that stability counts for something with trucking company). Agewise, I am well into middle age but am as physically fit as most 30 years olds) .

My goal is to have a long career driving linehaul for one of the better linehaul companies out of Southern California, my home state.

I recently obtained my 2 year medical certificate, TWIC, and TSA Hazmat Clearances. My 3 year MVR is clean (will check the 10 year MVR tomorrow). I think could likely pass the general and endorsement written tests tomorrow at DMV as I have been studying.

I have free time now to attended CDL school for driving skills training, (am debating a $1800 easytruckrentalforcdl school vs a CA state approved 160 hour school vs going out of state (WA) a school that directly placed grads into linehaul company I wish to work for CDS Truck School - Commercial Truck Driver School)

Question:
Should I go ahead and get my CLP now? (ie take written tests and endorsements - I am ready)

Should I go ahead attend CLD training and get CLD in a month or two, even though cant start for another 6 months? (I am concerned this would be considered an "interruption in training").

ie,, Do trucking companies require one obtains their CLP/CDL in closer proximity to the time one applies to their company than 6 or 7 months?

Thanks in advance for any knowledgeable responses

 

This new law mentioned here suggests it is possible to obtain out of state skills testing only for acceptance in one's home state Out of State CDL Skills Testing | CDL College

and here: 49 CFR 383.79 - Skills testing of out-of-State students; Knowledge and skills testing of military personnel.

Question: One cannot attend/graduate from an out of state CDL school, for example with my California driver's license, return to California with a passed test from that state? Or would one have to have a drivers license in the same state as the CDL school to even attend the school?

 

I meant to say obtain out of state skills testing, if successfully passed - the test results are transmitted by the out of state DMV to one's home state DMV for acceptance for skill portion of CDL license in one's home state DMV.

It's a new, obscure, legal allowance apparently. All other qualifications (CLP, must be obtained in one's home state). See CFR 383.79