Have CDL, Need to get my 180 Hrs. in.

Insurance is why they won't train someone who has a CDL?

This is the Prime story. We can't hire you if you have local or no recent experience and we can't train you if you have a CDL.

 

We have two students in our class with CDL’s and no formal schooling (180 hours). Your best bet would be to take the refresher course if they offer it to you. Most companies who offer refresher course do so only for former combination drivers. New FMCSA rules and insurance requirements must be achieved prior to putting you in a truck. Most starter companies for new graduates won’t even hire you 90 days after your get CDL and are not employed by someone.

 

Prime won't take a refresher course either. It is obvious to me what drives this policy! It is not insurance.

 

No disrespect intended, if you had researched this forum or other good sources before you took this route, you would have know this was not a realistic approach to entering this profession. I don't agree with the way things are but that doesn't change it.

You may well find a job, if you knock on doors and make phone calls. Don't give up. Still the big companies and insurance companies control the industry. They dictate recent OTR experience or approved training.

I'm willing to bet there are starter companies out there that will take you and put you through their school. Whether they will pay you during training or are a desirable company will be something to investigate.

If you'll do some reading on this forum you will see that there are plenty of drivers looking for work. Some are looking for certain kinds of work, some have dings on their records, some have no recent experience and some won't settle for what is available. The point is unless you get everything right and have realistic expectations, you will have a hard time getting a start and you will most likely not be happy with what you do get.

Check this thread for companies to call and see if they will put you through their school:

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/trucking-company-dac-reports/

I am not recommending any company, just offering a big list of names. Do a Google search to find their website and get their phone number. You can also call every trucking company within a 50 - 100 mile radius of your location.

IMHO, the only way to get a chance is by talking to people either in-person or by phone. When given a stack of applications, the person hiring will not look twice at an application that doesn't meet the hiring guidelines when he has ten that do. Sell yourself on the phone first and they might look at your application.

 

I've read in another thread a person trying to break in went to work teams with a O/O for a really low wage. That gave them the time behind the wheel they needed and the O/O got to get some really cheap miles. Might try something similar to this. Good luck with your search.