How to enter trucking????

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Tim Creamer, Feb 22, 2016.

  1. Toomanybikes

    Toomanybikes Road Train Member

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    In some states it is very possible to get a CDL without going to school. Other states require the schooling. The law is soon to change that as well.

    Since all states require a written and driving portion, it is nothing to pass the written portion before making your mind up on a school. It us usually a small fee ($10-$20) to take all the tests at once and they are not hard to pass. Multiple guess with the answers covered in the state CDL manual.

    The driving portion will require a class A truck. That is harder to wrangle, but not impossible to take the driving test. You best be sure your shifting a diesel spline gear transmission is good, you can judge space well, and back a trailer with just the mirrors before attempting.

    After getting the CDL getting a job without schooling can be difficult to impossible. Most insurance companies require a driver with a year of experience. The companies that are self-insured will want the schooling since selling schooling is a real money maker for them; $4000-$7000 for four or five weeks of lessons. What a rip!
     
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  3. roadreject

    roadreject Light Load Member

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    If you are thinking about over the road trucking, you'll end up having 4 days -/+ a month at home. If you have a family, it sucks. You work with idiots. (Both in the office and on the road) The idiots who don't know they are idiots treat you like an idiot.
    The income is not that great once you factor in the money you spend on the road.
    If you have a personal life, that won't exist as you know it now.
    You're competing for jobs and trips with people who usually can't make a living doing anything else, or have been doing this long enough they can't find anything else.

    Most people who have been driving over the road for a while would gladly trade places with somebody who has a boring job they put 40 hours a week in at, get home every day, and make $30,000 with benefits.
     
    skellr, hunted, DTP and 1 other person Thank this.
  4. Tim Creamer

    Tim Creamer Bobtail Member

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    That is my big goal...minimize cost... I have a few friends that will actually train me in driving the rig.. my issue is how to make money...any idea?
     
  5. rachi

    rachi Road Train Member

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    If your ok with being away from home alot then it might work for you. The first couple years will bring you $35,000 a year or so abouts. Maybe try it out and then go back to teaching if it dont work out.
     
  6. Tim Creamer

    Tim Creamer Bobtail Member

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    what is the realistic amount a new trucker will make?
     
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  7. Tim Creamer

    Tim Creamer Bobtail Member

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    That is my goal... I can always teach again... I taught for 5 years so my resume is built but I hate every day of work...I want to try something new... I have no family... only a girlfriend who is willing to travel with me..
     
  8. roadreject

    roadreject Light Load Member

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    from $5 a year, to $30-40k.
    MOST people like you won't survive the first few months. I'm not knocking you. It's just the life is not what you think it is, or what the truck driving schools or recruiters say it is.

    Many people who stick a toe into trucking end up in debt.
     
  9. rachi

    rachi Road Train Member

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    Yeah buddy, now thats the way to do it. Tour the country with your girlfriend and get paid for it. Maybe the girlfriend should get her cdl and then you can team and bring in $80,000 together.
     
  10. Tim Creamer

    Tim Creamer Bobtail Member

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    My Dad is a trucker so I think I have a general understanding but what things would you advise me knowing before I made such a switch?
     
  11. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Smart move getting away from teaching and I'm not joking.
    Which state do you live in?
    The quickest, easiest way to enter the trucking field is through a 160 hr. cdl school.
    The old fashioned way by just getting a license at the DMV and hit the road doesn't work these days. The hardest part of getting the license is passing the pre-trip test.
    Now; study the CDL practice tests on here.
    Watch Youtube videos on pre-trip inspections.
    Google : Practice Pre-trip Inspection test in (enter your state)

    Many students pass cdl school classes with honors then still can't get a license from the DMV because they can't pass the pre-trip test.

    Keep us posted!
     
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