Does my foreign wife need a green card to get a CDL and become employed ?

You may have to start at one of the "starter companies" that aren't so particular about work history, and can take into account you're overseas employment. I did manage to work in U.S. for three years, but before that was various companies in China, with some gaps in employment. I just told the recruiter what the deal was, didn't hide anything, and let the chips fall where they may. Turns out so far they're ok with it so it seems. Heck, half the companies I worked for in U.S. don't exist anymore, much less the places I worked for in China. I never even knew the name of one guy I worked for, other than "King" but the payroll deposited on time, so that worked for me.

 

Employment gaps are covered with a notorized letter/affidavit from a friend or family member, verifying your unemployment. Companies just want to know where you were or were not, during that time; prison, terrorist training camp, mowing lawns, handy man, looking for work.

I have an American phone number here in Beijing. Anyone calling me from America is billed to Tennessee, not China. You can get one with IBTalk.

I wanted to sell out here and move to Hainan Island, with the beaches, fresh sea breeze; the Hawaii of China. Wife refuses, says the schools there are no good. I have a first grader. Actually, I think it's the skimpy dress the women there wear is the real issue.

You mentioned once living in Las Vegas; for the last couple of months we've been trying to buy a home there, but by the time we get our offer in, someone else has it pending. Eventually something will go through. I'll rent it, don't plan to move there for a few years. Stepson wants to rent it once we find something.

I love living in China also. My problem is I haven't learned the language. My first grader learned it in 3 weeks. He learned the Shanghai dialect in about 2 hours, at a wedding reception for one of my co-worker friends in America that married a Shanghai girl.

 

Not sure the walking out on the house due to foreclosure will be a big deal, I've got a foreclosure on my credit report and so far that hasn't been an issue as far as applying to companies. For loans it was for a while, depends on how high your credit score was. Mine was still in the low 600's after the foreclosure went on the credit record.

But, your' wife's lack of any credit record will cause issues in things such as establishing a bank account, etc. I don't remember if you said you've already brought her over and have her green card/paperwork sorted out so rest of this info may not apply: Not sure how you're handling her name/name change when she comes over, my wife kept her Chinese family name, (and I don't blame her, I've got one of those really long unpronounceable east European family names with a lot of letters) and of course legally she winds up with her Chinese first name. Make sure, when they do her social security card, that they put both "characters" of her first name on the card. Such as if her family name is "hong" and her first name is " Li Wei" so her SS card would read "Li Wei Hong" The SS office messed up my wife's SS card at first, it only read such as "Li Hong" and caused all sorts of problems when opening a joint bank account and such. And get her some sort of credit card, so she shows up in the credit system.

 

A touch off topic and all but I am wondering how all these foreign brides are being found in such frequency. Some guys have all the luck, I swear it

 

In my case I was transferred by one of my former employers full time after 5 years of 6 weeks U.S. / Six weeks China. Lived there for 8 years, getting married to Chinese national bound to happen, at that timer there were NO western women living in the area, and precious few westerners at all. When I started in China all the foreigners lived in one hotel, and everyone knew each other. Things have changed tremendously since then.

 

It's doable, but it will take time and determination. Currently the wife and I are running cargo van doing deliveries, I'm driving and making the delivery to the customer, she navigates and helps unload and deal with the paperwork. She's not keen to drive the van, I've had vans since the early 90's so I'm used to it. Hard work unloading office supplies, one case of paper weighs 52 pounds, most orders 2-3 cases. Add flat pack furniture and you get a heck of a workout! At first she wasn't all that keen on it all, but earlier this week I saw her looking lustfully at a Sprinter. Uh oh...

 

Swift might take you at no charge through their veterans program.

Prime Inc. you only need about $150.00 in your pocket and everything else is free if you stay a year. Best paying will be tanker or flatbed division.

Central Refrigerated is next cheapest CDL school.

Goodwill Industries has free CDL school for veterans.

Your wife may have to sit at home until you finish training, then she can be a rider if the company has a rider program.

As for making the best money, that will be tanker/hazmat first and flatbed second.

As JetAgeHobo alluded to, you don't need CDL school for cargo vans, but you do need a CDL. Panther Expedite will hire you with no experience if you have a CDL, but JetAgeHobo is the one to ask about that type of trucking. I've never done that type of trucking.