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3 Trucking School Tips By a Newbie Who Is Playing To Win

Discussion in 'Trucking Schools and CDL Training Forum' started by AnotherChapter, Jan 10, 2016.

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AnotherChapter Bobtail Member

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JAYRODPA said: ↑

I'm a instructor for road master in PA. And what Another Chapter said are great tips. I would like to add, bring your ss card, diploma or ged, or whatever you have that shows you are a legal citizen. We have had students training delayed for weeks because they didn't have any of these things with them. also your success all depends on your attitude. Were hear to teach you. It is up to you to apply yourself and learn.
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thanks for affirming the post my friend.
I'm just trying to share the knowledge, from a good perspective, since there is so much bad stuff online

AnotherChapter, May 4, 2016

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Mark Kling Technology Contributor

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These Dr.'s are the only ones accepted by DOT.

https://nationalregistry.fmcsa.dot.gov/NRPublicUI/home.seam

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulatio...eport-commercial-driver-fitness-determination

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/medical/driver-medical-requirements/driver-medical-fitness-duty

Make sure your DOT Dr uses the NEW forms. Old forms are invalid after April 2016.

The Medical guide is in the process of being revised..

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/medical/fmcsa-medical-examiner-handbook

but you can see the older one here.

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/downloads/fmcsa-medical-examiner-2014.pdf

<<>>

Your Credit Reports - You are allowed one (1) free each annual year from each of the three credit reporting companies. See link below on how to get. They can be looked at online and since they are an PDF, you can save them to your computer. Watch out for sites saying it is free only to have to pay.. This is the link from the US GOVT.

https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0155-free-credit-reports

<<>>

You can go to your local DMV or normally off your States DMV and order an MVR for yourself.

<<>>

Hireright is usually for a DAC report, if you do not have an CDL then you are not in the system.

http://www.hireright.com/background...uesting-a-copy-of-your-background-report-file

<<>>

Another note - start gathering your prior 10 year work history. If any gaps such as no job then you will need notarized letters from friends stating such. If you do not have a 10 year work history, then what you have since the day you got out of HS.

Last edited: May 5, 2016

Mark Kling, May 5, 2016

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Duncan Rider Bobtail Member

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Does the trucking school I attend have to be in the state where I live and have my drivers license? I live in SC and will be going to a CDL school when I retire from my current job. I am not too impressed with my selection of local schools.

Duncan Rider, May 30, 2016

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DaneKirk Bobtail Member

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Duncan Rider said: ↑

Does the trucking school I attend have to be in the state where I live and have my drivers license? I live in SC and will be going to a CDL school when I retire from my current job. I am not too impressed with my selection of local schools.
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There might be some exceptions for people using their GI Bill, but as far as I understand it you have to go to a school that does business in the state where you reside. I had to get an Illinois drivers license to get my CDL during my 4 years here even though I am not technically an Illinois resident for tax purposes. Just call a school in SC and ask, they should be able to tell you everything you need to know.

DaneKirk, Jun 1, 2016

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The Professional One Bobtail Member

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Mark Kling said: ↑

start gathering your prior 10 year work history.
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I thought one only needed three years of work history? That's what CR England's site says they need. Also, I have known one driver who had a recent bankruptcy on his credit report and had zero problems getting into a trucking school.

The Professional One, Jun 2, 2016

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Prof.Gringo Light Load Member

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AnotherChapter said: ↑

Firms NEED drivers.

Understand the pay won’t be stellar the first year while you are getting your experience.

If you think this will be a 70-90k job driving year 1, for the 70 hours you may run a week, you will drop out quickly, is my thought.

I listened to more than one student in my class ask the instructor about making 90-100k a year, and since the students asking this were actually being sponsored by a firm contracted by his school, he really had to dance around the subject, and not really answer.

He should have been on the verbal edition of 'Dancing With The Stars.'

He was flawless.

These students will have to pay back the school costs out of weekly paychecks, they will probably work for less per mile than others who didn’t get a company sponsored ride through school, and they have signed a CONTRACT to ensure they pay back the investment the firm made in them.

If that’s the road you have to take to get into the industry, life is what it is, and no judgement is levied.

I too have needed a hand-up, not a hand-out at times in my life.

But I’ve reverse engineered the average pay for new trucking-school hires, so allow me to share my thoughts.

Let’s assume you average 70 hours DRIVING a week, and you make 3000-3500 hundred per month, before taxes.

Let’s not EVEN consider miles driven yet, let’s just do that math, right there.

Calculation # 1

$ 3000 per month (before taxes)

280 hours a month driving (70 hours times a 4 week driving schedule)

$ 3000 / 280 = $ 10.71 an hour

Calculation # 2

$ 3500 per month (before taxes)

280 hours a month driving (70 hours times a 4 week driving schedule)

$ 3500 / 280 = $ 12.50 an hour

Here’s the beautiful thing, though.

You CAN make bank, once you get a year or more driving experience and get your cents per mile UP, or get specialized loads, or become an Owner Operator.

Finally, I KNOW for a fact, if you are unemployed, most state unemployment offices WILL give you guidance in order to get your schooling PAID FOR much cheaper than you can imagine.

We had a student in my class who went this route, and his cost was paid by the state, all except for $ 700 bucks, so he will be able to pick a company once he graduates as well, rather than being tied to a firm contractually for them paying for school.

Here’s what’s so cool about this dude, though.

Even though the state paid almost all his school ride, he came to class with his Class A CDL permit in hand, and his medical card, just like me.

He came to play.

And to win.

Good luck with your new career ladies and gentlemen.

Life pays what you ask.

Ask.

And Play Hard.

None of get out of here alive.
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Good solid advice. Positive attitude + commitment + open to the trucking life = success!

Last edited: Jun 3, 2016

Prof.Gringo, Jun 3, 2016

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Wooly Rhino Road Train Member

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I don't want to come off as the giant ahole but let me disagree respectably.

The industry was new to me. I was angry with our legal system when I got into this. My inspiration was the song Garden Party by Ricky Nelson. "If memories were all I need I'd rather drive a truck."

My school was Fort Scott Community College in Kansas City, Kansas. I think it is out of business at that location. The school was 4 weeks long and cost $2000. No company would touch me as I was a convicted felon actually on parole at the time. Prison does prepare you for be confined in a truck for weeks at a time.

You must provide 10 years of work history. The company must verify 3 years and all of your driving history out to 10 years. Also your residences. That is 3 years also.

As to the money you make. Companies will all pay you the very smallest amount they can. Everyone does that. If a Walmart opens up in town and they charge $100 less for the same thing that your best friends father does at his store, you are going to buy it at Walmart.

To make money in this business, like any other business, you have to work smart. You have to figure out how to be ready to roll when it is time to roll. You have to figure out how to get where you need to get to, ontime and safely. Plus you need to know how to suck up to management. (I lack that, so I won't tell you how to do it.)

You have an 8 hour clock, a 11 hour clock, a 14 hour clock and either a 60 or 70 hour clock. These clocks are both your enemy and your best friend. They are designed to keep your wages up and keep the company from overworking you. Learn the secrets of these and you can make money. Failure to do so will cost you.

Wooly Rhino, Jun 3, 2016

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AnotherChapter Bobtail Member

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Felons do have a harder time locking down with a company

i know of some firms that just need 2 years out and they will let you in the door

i imagine the inside of the truck is alot like a jail cell size, so i get that

i hope it worked out for you

my youtube channel is chronicling my adventures so far, click below to watch

Red Viking Trucker

Wooly Rhino said: ↑

I don't want to come off as the giant ahole but let me disagree respectably.

The industry was new to me. I was angry with our legal system when I got into this. My inspiration was the song Garden Party by Ricky Nelson. "If memories were all I need I'd rather drive a truck."

My school was Fort Scott Community College in Kansas City, Kansas. I think it is out of business at that location. The school was 4 weeks long and cost $2000. No company would touch me as I was a convicted felon actually on parole at the time. Prison does prepare you for be confined in a truck for weeks at a time.

You must provide 10 years of work history. The company must verify 3 years and all of your driving history out to 10 years. Also your residences. That is 3 years also.

As to the money you make. Companies will all pay you the very smallest amount they can. Everyone does that. If a Walmart opens up in town and they charge $100 less for the same thing that your best friends father does at his store, you are going to buy it at Walmart.

To make money in this business, like any other business, you have to work smart. You have to figure out how to be ready to roll when it is time to roll. You have to figure out how to get where you need to get to, ontime and safely. Plus you need to know how to suck up to management. (I lack that, so I won't tell you how to do it.)

You have an 8 hour clock, a 11 hour clock, a 14 hour clock and either a 60 or 70 hour clock. These clocks are both your enemy and your best friend. They are designed to keep your wages up and keep the company from overworking you. Learn the secrets of these and you can make money. Failure to do so will cost you.
Click to expand...

AnotherChapter, Jun 11, 2016

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AnotherChapter Bobtail Member

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The Professional One said: ↑

I thought one only needed three years of work history? That's what CR England's site says they need. Also, I have known one driver who had a recent bankruptcy on his credit report and had zero problems getting into a trucking school.
Click to expand...

all of them are different to some degree
i dont believe credit is a big issue, no

good luck in your journey

here is my youtube channel that covers alot of folks questions

Red Viking Trucker on You Tube

AnotherChapter, Jun 11, 2016

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alghazi Road Train Member

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DaneKirk said: ↑

There might be some exceptions for people using their GI Bill, but as far as I understand it you have to go to a school that does business in the state where you reside. I had to get an Illinois drivers license to get my CDL during my 4 years here even though I am not technically an Illinois resident for tax purposes. Just call a school in SC and ask, they should be able to tell you everything you need to know.
Click to expand...

Nope. You can go to school in any state you wish.

I'm a resident of MS, and went to school in UT. Of the 40 people in my class, only 2 were UT residents.

alghazi, Jun 11, 2016

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