Any one here self taught?

When it comes to "entry" it has everything to do with it. For an established driver you are right. Even the FMCSA has made this for all intent and purposes impossible. On a lark I asked someone I know that is in the insurance underwriting business. I asked this person how much would it cost me to insure myself if I were still active. I got a reply that the actual quote would be based on several things that vary. I then asked about being new with no experience. The reply I got was we would not underwrite you.

 

Yes, there are a lot of companies who won't touch you for insurance when you're a new cdl or authority, but that has nothing to do with if you got your cdl on your own or through a school.

 

Read ALL of my comment! There is MUCH more then just insurance.

 

VinnyVincent,

I wasn't self-taught, but, I didn't go to a driving school.

I bought a truck and then road along with another O/O whose truck I also bought later when he decided to upgrade. In total, I owned 3 before I ever got a CDL.

I did a lot of backing up practice on my own in our parking lot too.

Watch YouTube videos, there are TONS on shifting, alley docking, etc.

The lot I park in is adjacent to an SOS CDL Testing facility.

I haven't seen them lately, perhaps they got kicked out, but, there was a company who had a very short wheelbase setup, single screw tractor and a 28' pup single axle trailer for rent by the hour...they'd set up cones on the practice lot and they let people practice after hours. They also will meet people at the Testing center with the truck so they can pass their road test. That's over in West Chicago IL, but, I think the idea has spread out to other testing centers as an alternative to truck driving school.

I thought that was kind of a novel idea.

But, I agree with the other people posting here. I got my license 23 years ago.

Unless you already have a job lined up when you do get your license, most places won't hire you unless you can either prove 2 years of experience on the road or graduate from a certified school.

Nothing beats practical experience BUT...the last thing most companies want is for a rookie to learn on their dime, cause wrecks, property damage, get tickets, etc. It should also be the last thing you want as well.

Nothing worse than sitting at home unable to work because your safety score has too many points on it.

Good luck on your endeavors.

 

I went to driving school when I was 21 or 22 but I had towed trailers with my pickup a lot prior to that, drove my dad's trucks around the yard and pulled trucks/trailers in and out of the shop at my first wrenching gig. I'll be blunt, I could shift up and down just about flawlessly going around the loop at the school. Going down the road the first time was a different story. If you haven't been out on city streets before I'd highly recommend getting out for a few hours prior to the test.

 

No, there really isnt, insurance is the big obstacle.

 

The FMCSA has a monster rule that is already on the books. It has a compliance date of Feb 2020. You really need to google this topic before you make such a reply!

 

And I am here to tell you they are coming to a close. I think there is something being lost here. people are not understanding that most none mega's will not be able to tote someone on their insuance much longer. Most of the megas are self insured, they can make this call. I'm sorry, but these days are getting very close to being done. As I said in my last reply even the FMCSA is about to stop it. These new rules are going to be hitting the FMCSA regs very soon. They have a compliance date of Feb 2020.

 

I'm hesitant to link this because these new rules have not been codified yet.