Getting a CDL-A without a school

Don't know if they still do this but this is exactly how I got my CDL back in 1991 only with Conway. Worked the dock for a couple months while "learning" and got my CDL and became a shuttle driver out in Santa Fe Springs. My father in law was actually my trainer so I got extra time on the weekends to practice driving.

 

EXACTLY!!!!!!!!

 

it can be done...what i did is took my tests passed...i dunno where you are but what idid is that i went to a driver training school..roadmaster is what i used and use their truck to do the road test i think it was @150 buxs..but they are qualified and willing to do this just call ahead an talk with them..i passed on the second try..double clutching bit me..but..before they commence the test they get you behind the wheel and gage as to whether you can double clutch..if you cant and yes it will take a lil practice,,they wont go on with the test till your ready..good luck..remember...if you want it bad enough you can do it..good luck

 

I think ltl companies are the best bet, nowadays.

But when I first started driving (many years ago, even before cdl laws), I worked for a contractor. I did a bit of everything there, but I seemed to be in the garage alot.

I learned alot moving the trucks in and out of the garage and around the yard. Of course they always needed an extra driver, so that's how it started.

 

Most OTR companies want recent experience. Getting your CDL-A via the "rent a truck" method doesn't give you experience. You'll be in the same boat as the driver who has his CDL-A but hasn't driven in ten years.

When I was in Swift Academy, we had a few students who had their CDL-A, but hadn't driven in 2-5 years. They went through the same training and evaluation as the rest of us, but they didn't have to go take the state test.

I know Prime does the same thing. No recent experience, and you're going out with an instructor, just as if you only had your permit.

Bottom line: Unless you can sweet talk someone at a small (local) company, getting your CDL on your own isn't going to do you any good.

 

It's possible to rent a truck to test in, just gotta find them. If ya call the place where the testing is done, or local schools, they might be able to give you a number.

 

Well, thanks everyone for your input so far. Was hoping to see some creative ideas...

 

The mega company training and job (Swift, Prime, ect.) is not worth a crap anyway. They ding you $5,000 and teach little bit of nothing. It is just a source of revenue for them!

Yeh, they claim they will forgive the debt after a couple years of service, but very few make it even one year; over 100% annual driver turnover!

They pay crap and treat you like crap anyway. Why else would they have 100% turnover and recruit and train all the time.

In order to keep this training scam in operation they lobbied the government to put a 2year recent experience or training clause in the regs; It has nothing to do with insurance; these companies are all self insured. It is just to keep their scam running and discourage people from leaving the industry. Further more, the regulation puts a squeeze on the medium to small companies that do not do the training scam.

However, other companies need drivers too so they lobbied for a loophole in the scam. If working for a company, they can vouch for the fact you are a experienced and trained driver . That is the way I would look at getting into a CDL. I have seen it done and even if they pay minimum wage that is better than paying one of these mega scammers $5,000 for a less then minimum wage job.

If you still have the stupid lust to try over the road with one of these mega crap companies they will still hire you after you get your CDL with a good DOT record. They will often pay you seniority for the entire time you worked at the employer you got you CDL. Seen it done many times; 100% turnover means they need drivers weather you pay for the job (training scam) or not.

 

You said a mouthful and to prove your statement, one only has to observe the drivers who took this route.

 

Of course, you could go to the local tech school, pay $7000, and not even have a job when you finish...

Every CDL school teaches to the test. Everything from the $500 community college course to the $22,000/13 week "professional" course I saw at a local tech school.

If you go to a school, make sure that it's PTDI certified. That way, any carrier that hires "recent grads" will accept your training. Some of the training offered by the starter companies isn't accepted anywhere else, so you are pretty much stuck with them for the first six months.