Hi guys, I'm new and I need help please.

Oof. That's quite the conundrum. I'd probably lean on this person who has helped you already. ( I'm assuming you intend to pay them back)

I don't believe there's any shame in asking for some help to get up and going, people do it all the time, they just ask banks to do the same as your friend. So i'd suggest that.

On the schooling thing, unless it has changed recently, and if it's the same as in Pennsylvania, you'll need ELDT training, which can be done online for a small fee. Then go to the DMV and present your completion certificate. Take the CDL written test. If you pass, you get your permit. You'll need to have a licensed driver with you while driving. After you get some experience, take the road test. Off you go to make some money. I recently did the online ELDT training to obtain my Hazmat endorsement. Cost me $65. The other option was to go to a community college and pay thousands

Paying for a school may not be in everyone's budget, however it's not a bad thing either. It's been 22 years since I got my CDL, and alot has changed. But I did it without any formal schooling when others said it can't be done.

 

Okay, 1st, welcome aboard, you came to the right place. 2nd, there's no need to bash yourself, generally, we don't make that determination here, believe it or not, we weren't exactly angels either. Hotshot biz, from what I hear, is extremely competitive, many times, you snooze, you lose. That and general freight for Hotshots isn't exactly booming this time of year. Package delivery, that's the cheese today. We've all agreed here, insurance rules the roost, and they call the shots, pretty much excluding possible good drivers, like yourself. I think the tide is turning some, just due to the lack of applicants, and companies are finding out, a lot of good drivers are being past by, but it will be a while. We understand your desperation, we hear it a lot on this site. You certainly aren't alone. I can't begin to tell you the hassles involved in moving to a different country, make staying and riding it out here a piece of cake.
Plenty of good jobs that aren't near as strict, maybe lay low unloading Walmart trailers for a spell( also a good job), local landscaping company here that cuts our grass and plows, doesn't seem too particular.,who knows? Above all, except for here, keep your mouth shut about your past. Remember, you're among friends here, but to them, you are just a statistic. Hang in there, pal.

 

I believe I stand corrected after digging a little deeper on the ELDT training. This is copied from PennDot's FAQ page on the ELDT training.

2. What training must an entry-level driver complete to take a commercial driver license (CDL) skills test?
Entry-level drivers attempting to take a CDL skills test to receive a Class A CDL, Class B CDL, passenger (P) endorsement, or school bus (S) endorsement must successfully complete a mandatory theory (knowledge) and a behind-the-wheel (BTW) training provided by a training provider listed on the TPR.

For more information regarding required training, visit the FMCSA’s ELDT Curriculum Summary.

To add to this, if you look for the FMCSA ELDT training provider list, there's providers listed that aren't driving schools or colleges. I did a quick search for my area and found a local heating oil delivery company listed. So I'd assume they'll be considerably cheaper than enrolling in a school

 

One option for you might be to find something light to haul. If you can stay under 26,000 pounds gross weight loaded you don’t need a CDL. Make some money and work into it.

I just found out about a website called Shipley where people post odds and ends they want hauled. You could do some of that kind of work starting out and not need a CDL.

 

I remember a guy on here a few years ago that did something like that. No CDL and used his pickup and a horse trailer and was hauling motorcycles.

 

Just food for thought.
If you find that your current plan just isn’t attainable at this time then look into expedited van. Low startup, less regulatory bs. Can’t tell you much about earnings just another avenue you could look into.

The only other thing I want to tell you if you get going with the hotshot business is do everything by the book. I tend to see them being inspected all the time. Getting going and then ending up with a couple bad inspections and you’ll have a hard time recovering.

 

Training Provider Registry
FMCSA's Training Provider Registry improves highway safety by ensuring that entry-level drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) complete training as required by the new Entry-Level …