New Career

48,000 the first year? Not likely.

Generally a good idea to go to an independant trucking school to get your license rather than through a company.

The current number of experienced drivers available, I don't recommend getting into the industry right now. There were over 3,000 trucking companies that closed their doors last year, which put a lot of drivers on the market. Freight is down and so are miles.

New drivers are finishing training with their first company and then sitting weeks waiting for a truck.

Browse this forum and see what is happening out there. It's a rough road right now out there.

 

I'm not driving yet, but I've done enough research to answer your questions. I'm sure others will chime in.

Can you make $48,000 your first year?
I suppose it's possible, but highly unlikely. I know I'm not planning to make that much my first year. I'll be happy if I can manage high 30's. You'll probably get different opinions on that, higher and lower, but research companies. See what they pay beginners. Then research this board and get a feel for how many miles you think you can get per week; realistically. A few simple math steps later, you'll have a ball park figure.

Do you get the CDL on your own or have a company help you?

Yes.

Basically, you can do either one. Get your CDL on your own, and you can go to any company that hires newbies, but you'll have to fork over the money for school. This could be $1,000 to $5,000 depending on where you go. Go to a company that trains you and you might not be out us much money initially, but you'll probably sign a contract to work for that carrier for at least a year. I'd recommend getting it on your own, if you can. Just be prepared to go 4+ weeks without pay, and then 4-8 weeks with very little pay while you train at a company.

Now some thoughts to consider.

I don't consider trucking to be a "fall back" career. In my humble opinion, we need drivers who choose to do this because it's what they want to do. It's nothing like a typical job. It's a lifestyle, and you need to be fully aware of what you're considering. What else can you call something that requires you to be away for 3+ weeks at a time, living in your "office" the entire time.

Also, the attitude that says "I've lost my job, I'm going to trucking" is what will make it very difficult for you to find a trucking job right now. The problem is, you're not the first to think that. CDL schools have been FLOODED with new applicants and trucking companies are implementing hiring freezes. Lots of the people who did make it into a truck will realize they didn't really want to be a truck driver and quit after 6 months.

Just my thoughts. Hopefully some more experienced folks will throw in their $.02 worth, which is really only worth about 1/2 a cent now thanks to the devaluing of the dollar.

But that's for another thread.

Andrew

 

First let me say welcome to the forum. Some of us will do our best to help you.
There is no way you will gross $48000 dollars a year starting off with no experence. Times are rough in trucking. At best you are looking at $30000. You will have to train and go with a trainer and this takes a lot of time with little pay.
I suggest if you need a job. Look local.

 

Try local. Dump trucks,Concrete trucks, or lumber yards. There is food delivery to schools and resturants. Over the road trucking just is not going to pay you what you are hoping for. You will come closer with an hourly job,
I do not want to discourage you if you have a passion to become a driver. I just want you to understand with out experence $30000 dollars is a realistic number not $48000.

 

Here's my 1/2 cent worth. My husband starting training/ driving in Jan. Year to date he has grossed 3k. So do the math 45k will NOT happen your 1st year. If you have a family ie wife and kids. They and you will have to learn to live w/ just the basics for the 1st couple of years. If you/they are not willing to do that, and you don't have total support from the homefront do NOT go otr.

 

Also if you are on unemployment, check with your local office or like in CA here, its call a one stop, any how see if they will fund a school for you, mine did and is saving me $4900 bucks, to get a top pay local, with no experience you WILL have to know someone to help you in the door, most co want one to two years of experience

 

Don't do it, you're just digging a deeper hole. I was going to do OTR but said the hell with it, I'll stick to dumps. We have all the pos driving schools here in St. Louis running ads on craigs list and St. Louis Today saying:

3 week training to obtain your class A license and job placement...........
Local, Regional and OTR companies....................
$37,000 to $45,000 first year salary, benefits and 401K..........................
Start your new career today.........................

Apply Now.....................
Call 314-*******

So I called the companies that are the schools industry partners and sponsor students, guess what? All but one said they weren't hiring and I even lied and said I was a graduate of the school lol. This school is $6900 on top of that, I can get an Associates for that price. It's not worth it. Heres another:

YES....MAJOR OTR CARRIERS ARE HIRING...$36,000 to $45,000 FIRST YEAR INCOME!!!!!!
*STABILITY* *SECURITY* *GREAT BENEFITS* *TUITION REIMBURSEMENT*
3 WEEK CDL-A TRAINING FOR ENTRY-LEVEL EMPLOYMENT AVAILABLE
Call HA-HA-HAHA ask for B.S.

 

I would not do it unless you are okay with making 24k your first year.