Considering a Career Change, Where to Start?

Can you attend a private or community college cdl school?
Do you prefer a trucking company cdl school?
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Central Florida is an excellent location for refrigerated trucking.
Which town/city are you moving to in Florida?

 

@glbtrekker --

Note that....regardless of the trucking carrier you choose, you will usually be working with 2 clocks.

These clocks are DOT mandated.

One is an 11-hour clock (for driving).

The other is a 14-hour clock (for on-duty time).

If you're any kind of observer--the above info should tell you that trucking involves A LOT OF HOURS.

If you are looking for a new gig that is 60 hours a week, or less--the above should be your first clue that trucking is NOT A GOOD CHOICE.

The above is partly why trucking is so hard on families/marriages--and why many say trucking is not just a job--but also a "lifestyle".

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You would be best served to first figure out what kind(s) of freight you'd like most to pull (& how you'd like to run--over the road, regional, or home daily....or almost daily), then figure out what carrier(s) you'd like to work for with said freight, & then find the best school(s) to go to that are recommended/preferred by your chosen carrier(s).

In many cases--these carriers will post the schools they like to hire from--on their websites.

Most beginning drivers make the mistake of doing it the other way around--choosing a school first, etc.....

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With all that said--eastern TN is a fantastic location for you, if you have ambitions in the freight-moving world.

Note also that--as of the time of this writing--demand for commercial drivers is pretty much as high as ever, in all sectors of trucking. I'm currently seeing the highest/most sign-on bonuses in the tanker and flatbed areas.

I started out with Schneider National Carriers, mainly out of necessity (I had a spotty employment history--which a lot of carriers don't like). You can probably do better.

I began by pulling dry van freight. Then I moved on to intermodal, & then temp-controlled (aka, "reefer").

Now, I do hazmat tanker (hauling fuel--home daily).

For the best overall experience, and fewer disappointments--since I've done all the above, I would suggest you look hard(er) at opportunities within the tanker world.

Why?

Well...there are of course exceptions to this....but over in the tanker world, things just seem more professional.

In the tanker world, you're treated MUCH BETTER by shippers and receivers (and also, your superiors and co-workers); you'll spend much less time sitting and waiting (if not in food-grade work); parking/backing is much easier, generally speaking; driving is much easier in windy conditions (because of the trailer's profile); there's no tandem sliding, or worrying about what the weights are on specific axles....among other reasons.

For tanker opportunities with zero experience, right out of CDL school--look at Questliner:

Quest Liner Truck Driver Training | Quest Liner Freight

or maybe Tidewater Transit:

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES | tidewater-transit

Stay away from fuel hauling/delivery until you get at least 2 years CDL experience.

--Lual

 

Hey, I speak your language! Was born and raised in Tennessee.
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Wilson Logistics has a floral division. I think the trailers belong to Prime, but Wilson has that account.
Lots of plants and flowers shipped out of Florida.
You would attend school in Springfield, Missouri.
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Paid CDL Training | Truck Driving Jobs | Wilson Logistics

 

Roehl Transport has a refrigerated division.
Pays $616.00 a week while attending their cdl school.
If you go there, tell the recruiter you want refrigerated division.
Roehl Transport Truck Driving Jobs & CDL Training

 

Robertson County; just North of Nashville.

 

Millis Transfer is a good choice. Dry van. Pays students $600 a week while attending their cdl school.

CDL-A School | Millis Transfer
CDL-A School