A tip/"guide" for New Yorkers to obtain a "free" CDL

Hey Y'all,

Figured I would share this with you all, Just at the chance it can help even one person save on the cost of CDL schooling, or help someone not sign on with a carrier they know they don't want to sign on with.

You can see if this works in your state, or if your state has something similar, but this will be catered towards New York, because that's where I am and this is what I did/am currently doing.

State Employees represented by CSEA can partake in the NYS CSEA Partnership.

Essentially, the union will cover the cost of your schooling. No strings attached, no contract to stay for a certain amount of time. To my knowledge, there is no minimum time of employment to be eligible for this, although you may want to wait at least a few months to not make it so obvious.

We had a guy start at my job and within 2 months he was enrolled in CDL School. The union handed him his $5,000 voucher and off to school he went. The CDL schools treat it as cash.

Now, my department (Grounds maintenance, very large SUNY school) directly needs CDL holders, so they are very keen on sending people if they show interest, and can pass a DOT drug test. (the last part is key, legalization state and such, lol)

However, I know of people from other departments that are CSEA Employees who have gone or are currently going, that have done this same thing. One of them is parking enforcement. Do you think someone who hands out tickets all day needs a CDL? No, they don't, lol.

So essentially, if you are in NY (or your state has something similar for its state employees, look into it.) and you know you want to get into trucking, but can't afford it or don't want to sign on with a carrier, this is really an excellent option for you.

Get a cleaning job, or grounds maintenance job, at a SUNY school or state hospital. Really anything that is represented by CSEA. Yes, the pay is not good. But you need to look at the advantages and play the long game.

1. This is a no strings attached tuition voucher that the schools treat as cash.

My job is also paying me my full check while I'm in school, marked as "training", so I can finish as fast as possible. (although that may not be the case in your situation, as I mentioned, my job needs CDL holders) Most schools, at least in my area, seem to be pretty flexible, so if that isn't the case for you, just schedule your classes part time. It will take you longer to finish of course, but at least you won't be missing out on money. Whether it takes you 4 weeks, 8 weeks, or 10 weeks - The end goal is the same and achievable.

2. You are a state employee, you won't really be doing much.. I know this because I currently am one. There are times where my job is demanding, but really, it's the easiest job I've ever had with pretty much unlimited overtime opportunities. I know guys sitting well over 600 hours of overtime in my department on the year. I'm at about 250 and that's more than enough for me.

3. If you want to stay with the state after receiving your CDL (benefits and vacation time are fantastic, really.) then you can always check your local highway department, municipality, or the NYS DOT.

(DOT mentioned, spawning The classic joke: "The word of the day is IFTA.. IFTA DOT don't see it, it don't matter! ")

Anyways, My job only requires us to have our B with tanker. No manual endorsement needed as we have newer Freightliner dump trucks that are all automatics.

4. Stay focused on the end goal. Yes, the job you take me be low paying especially in today's economy. If you know you are just doing this for the CDL to make more money, just deal with the #### you have to deal with at the job, do a good job, don't tell everyone about your plans. As soon as you get your CDL, find someone willing to hire you, and bounce out. There are tons of wonderful threads around this website of good beginner carriers, and ones to potentially avoid.

I am currently going for my A in a manual truck. No questions asked, no one told me no, although a few of my managers are joking about how it was nice working with me.

Truth be told, I don't know if I'm going to hop in a truck yet. I am just simply future proofing myself because I'm relatively young, in the event I do want change in the future, want to make more money, and it was completely covered by the union, so why wouldn't I go for my A?

Anyways, as mentioned above, I figured I would share this with anyone weighing there options. It may help someone now or in the future, and even in my own local, outside of my department where it's advertised heavily, it seems like a lot of people represented by CSEA aren't aware it exists.

Stay safe everyone, any questions, feel free to ask here or shoot me a DM.