Congratz Wedge!
I have read all 31 pages early early this morning.
I'm 18, and have always wanted to be a truck driver. I told my friends recently about what I want to be, but I got laughed at and was told "people don't dream of being a truck driver". I guess we're all different, right? :]
Every year, we travel up I95 North to go see family for summer, Thanksgiving and Christmas up in Rhode Island, and from where we live, it's about a 8-10 hour drive depending on traffic.
When i was young, I would take a de-activated cell phone, and type in every single trucking company i saw, and would look them up on the internet to find out more info about them. I did that every time we took the trips. Kinda wish I still had the list lol
But, my plan is, that since I wouldn't be able to drive out of state until i'm at least 21 even with a class-A CDL, my plan is to take 2 years of General Studies at a community college and then see if i'm still interested in Trucking. By that time, i'll be around 20, and will attend a private trucking school.
That's my plan.
But mainly, I just want to congratulate you!
Beginning the Long Awaited CDL Process
Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Wedge, Oct 14, 2010.
Page 32 of 148
-
Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds
Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.
-
-
Thanks dunricky and welcome to the forum.
You'll have plenty of time to research companies that you are interested in. As you have probably read by now, trucking is a lifestyle not just a job. It's important that you understand that before committing yourself.
I'll be documenting my company training as I go. There are threads by other TTR members you'll find interesting. Openroadguy and Chralb. Openroadguy works for Swift, and Chralb works for Watkins and Shepard. There's a lot of helpful and interesting information in their threads.
So sit back, and start reading, and welcome to the forum.
-
-
-
-
Well, there's a reason why I had my CDL permit before I started my training, and it had nothing to do with cost.
One company that I was very interested in was Millis Transfer. They have a terminal here in Cartersville, GA. I had a chance to stop in and talk with the drivers about the company and discovered they provided CDL training. You needed your CDL permit and a current DOT physical before you could apply. So I took the test and got my permit, passed my DOT physical, and then filled out the on line application.
The mistake I made was that I waited too long to follow up (4 days). By then they had received hundreds of applications and they keep their classes pretty small. And apparently they only keep the most recent applications. Needless to say I was really disappointed. They told me I could re-apply but had to wait six months. So I decided to change my tactics and elected to get my CDL training through a private school, and then pick the company I wanted to work for.
And the only advantage to having your permit before you start your CDL training is the satisfaction of knowing 99% of your fellow students are keeping TUMS in business stressing over whether or not they'll pass their tests for their permit (very satisfying, indeed). If you do try and get your permit before you enroll in a driving school, make sure you pass, otherwise you have to wait before you can re-test.
My driving school required me to sit through the classroom portion even though I already had my permit. The state requires that each student receives a certain number of classroom hours, so I didn't get any extra seat time.
Your permit is only good for a certain length of time, so check that out with your state's motor vehicle department.
I believe in being prepared, I try to be the best I can be. So while you have the time, study everything you can on trucking, and be the best you can be.
-
Maybe I should give it to you in case I get lost.
sammycat Thanks this.
Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds
Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.
Page 32 of 148