better school options

What really bothers me is your question about new drivers getting their own loads. Just because you get a CDL doesn't mean you can go out, buy a truck and start hauling your own loads the next day. That's the impression I got from your post.

Regarding schools, I'm not much help. I'm not sure if different States have different requirements as far as classroom and driving hours in order to test.

 

You will need to work for a company as a company driver. In order for you to haul your own loads, you need your own Authority to do so.
Do yourself a HUGE favor and after getting your CDL, get a company driver job. With no experience as a CDL driver, insurance if you can even get it, would be very expensive and limited as to how far you can drive. Getting your own Authority is a very involved and costly process.
I'm not at all trying to be negative or disrespectful to you in the least. Those that know me around here will attest to that. I only try and help.

Hey AMPM.... good to see you here. One of these days I'll give you a call and surprise the heck out of ya!

 

Comparing a company driver to an owner/operator is like comparing a cook to the owner of a restaurant.

Just because you are a great cook doesn't mean you have all of the business knowledge to deal with accounting, safety regulations, personnel, budgeting, etc, etc that goes along with owning a restaurant.

Just because you are a great driver doesn't mean you can run your own company.

Being a driver just out of school you CERTAINLY aren't ready to own your own trucking company.

There are three levels on the road to becoming a truck driver:

1). Getting your CDL. Doesn't mean you know anything, just that you can pass the state test.

2). Being able to drive a truck safely. No WAY can this be done in a two week course, certainly not in a one week or THREE DAY?!?! course. For most students it takes between 24 and 40 hours behind the wheel to reach the stage where they can safely operate a truck.

3). Being a "Truck Driver". NO school can teach you this. Only after being on the road day after day with someone who knows what they are doing can you even think about calling yourself a Truck Driver.

Until stage three is reached, no one should even consider being an owner/operator. At that point, I would STILL recommend driving for a minimum of a year or two before attempting to become their own carrier.

 

I'd say at least a year. It's pretty much sensory overload once you're out of school and on your own. When you do the owner operator gig, you can multiply that by many times. All of a sudden you're more aware of MPG, costs, records, and the whole ball of wax that's part of running your own show. Not something to be taken lightly.

 

You can rent one of those trucks with a 25 foot trailer, automatic transmission and a "Rent Me For Your CDL Road Test" on the side. But it will not get you a job most of the time.

What you want is the time honored practice of hopping in a truck and learning as you go, and I have taught that way and it is the best way to learn while you earn. I wish it were still like that but it is not. They will not allow you to take the shortest, most effective route to becoming a driver anymore.

And if anyone knows of a company that does it like this today, let me know. I will apply for the job.

As far as instant Owner Operator? Have a little patience! Watch the repo man take a few trucks from their owners before you jump in with both feet. Go and drive for a few years before you make that decision.

 

Definitely need to wait on the O/O thing. Along with all the reasons posted here, a lot of brokers won't touch you if you are a complete rookie.

It's better to learn the biz before getting your own truck. You have a lot to learn about the industry, and two years is barely enough.