Do you need to go to a trucking school to become a driver?

If things have changed in the last 6 years,but I had my CDL when I was working for a roofing company (local)and when I decided to try OTR I did find a company which would take me so I could get the experience..It took a lot of searching,but I did find one...Did they take advantage of me?-Yup Did I make any real money?-Nope,but I did hang on for a year and that is how I got my foot in the door regarding this madness...called OTR

 

Some of the hands on here were "born" truck drivers.

Just ask 'em.

 

You can rent them at some test facilities. I did $100.00. I guess that was over 16 years ago. Things are probably different now.

 

No you don't. Find a small company. I never went to school. been driving truck over 16 years.

 

In case no one has told you a lot has changed with driving and getting hired in the last 16 years. I know of one company that hires without a school. Most want a school or 2 years recent.

 

I Don't need anyone to tell me things have changed. I have worked for several small companies that hired without schooling and with little experience. I'm just throwing that out there, it may not be easy, but can be done. I started with a local job, the truck owner would ride with me on my first round, then sent me on my way (by myself with only a learners permit) for the rest of the day. Got my CDL A 3 weeks after my permit. 1 year later i was hired to run all 48 and Canada with no otr experience ever. It can and has been done, but most drivers have never done it, nor know it can be done that way.

 

And like you said you started over 16 years ago. Insurance requirements have changed and it very hard for a person to just get a CDL and get a job now a days. Giving info out that you gained 16 years ago is not current with today's job market.

 

I just went back to a small company local after being off the road a little over a year. Not only will they not take a newbie, had I of let 2 years lapse since I drove they could not have rehired me either. The reason? Insurance requirements.

 

Go reread my first post...that was this year