good idea? if so....

Back in the early 90's you could do that pretty easily, but now a days I doubt it. I would do it the way your wanting to and I don't blame you. You wouldn't be held to a company.

 

I would suggest trying to get your CDL on your own through the state, there are a lot of programs for unemployed people and veterans were u don't have to pay. If you go to a trucking company and go to their school you are held hostage until you work long enough for them until the schooling is paid off (usually a year). If you got before that time they hammer you with the costs and huge interest rates.
Because of the looming driver shortage, a lot of companies are lowering their OTR experience to 6 months so it would be easy to move to another company if you arnt obligated because of the schooling.

 

In Texas if you pass the written test all you have to do is show up at a DPS testing facility with a leagl truck (straight for Class B, Combination for Class A), show proof of insurance and pass the driving test. The trailer does not have to have air brakes, just make sure all your lights are working, and the electric brake works on the trailer.

Pass this test and you're good to go. Find a small mom and pop company hauling grain or aggregate or something like that. Drive with them for a year or so and get good at docking and highway driving, and try a few companies to see who bites.

 

Also I must add, if you decide to rent the truck you better know someone with a valid Class A to drive it from the lot to the DPS.

 

My opinion!!!!


Stay with your ol' lady right now. With her being prego, those hormones bounce from one side of the sector to the other side... She needs you right now. If you go to trucking, those hormones will tell her that you abandoned her. Although we all know that isn't the case.... But you can't tell those hormones anything different.

Wait till she pops.... Then discuss it with her. If you then become to a joint decision for you to go trailer trucking..... Then go trailer trucking!

 

Heres what I did. I got a job at a local city utility department. They required you to get at least a class B to drive the dump trucks. So I went a little further for my own good and got the A. I spent a year and a half driving around town with a dump truck most of the time with a 30' trailer attatched with 35-60,000 lbs of steel road plates.
I got tired of the politics with the city and decided to put my name out there. I spent every bit of 4 months doing research and putting in apps. I finally decided on a local flatbed outfit here in my area. I got lucky with a home to Houston and back run everyday. I am home every night and make good money too. Better than the city anyway.