Army Vet looking to get into trucking..

I would go to a school.
They’ll provide you with a vehicle.

You need to learn the pre-trip on the vehicle you will test in - you have to have the pretrip down cold, as you may be unable to follow your routine at the test site - the inspector may require you to jump around, start in the middle, etc.

 

Which state is your actual domicile? If you attend cdl school in another state, you will get a cdl from that state, then have to return to your domcile state and switch your cdl over.
It's best to attend a school so you'll be up to date on everything. Many/most companies won't hire you if you get your cdl without formal training because their insurance won't cover you to drive their trucks.
Once we know which state you live in we can give you some trucking company names that will hire you at graduation from cdl school.
Do you prefer refrigerated, dry van, flatbed, tankers?

 

This is true; the DMV won't even give you a road test until you pass the pre-trip inspection. This is where most students fail their first attempt at the DMV.

 

According to 49 CFR 383.79, you can test in ANY state, which will transmit your results electronically to your home state, and they will then issue you a license.

Some states are still not in compliance (they were supposed to comply no later than 2015) but, federal regulation is clear on the matter.

 

What schools are you looking at?

 

Just to test. It will probably cost you about $500. That's for renting the truck and all.
If you go to a school. Get it down right. Your GI bill will pay for everything? School includes licensing.
I have 7 years experience in Class B. Truck licensed at 50K pounds, 13 speed transmission. Much experience on ice. I still think it smarter to go to a school and get things down right. Then go with a carrier that will train me well. I still think it's important. Also train in winter on ice. learn all I can...
With alot of these. If you can't show experience on the road. They want to see a school. Some consider military experience.

 

Couple dozen or more to choose from.
Eastern Freightways
Melton Truck Lines
Calex Logistics - lots of produce out of California and back.
New Penn
Freymiller
Fastenal
Schuster
Britton Transport
Magnum Ltd.
J&R Schugel
Contract Freighters Inc. (www.cfidrive.com)
TMC
Abilene Motor Express
H.O. Wolding
Navajo Express
Shaffer Trucking
Wadhams Enterprises Inc.
This is a few that hire new cdl grads.
Many schools push the Dollar General Store accounts, so keep that in mind. Those accounts are driver unload at stores with no dock. The driver is more of a laborer than a truck driver. Backing incidents can be a quick career ender.

 

I heard Prime was a great place for VEts to train and get started... not sure tho...

 

9 month contract if they train you, all expenses paid...