Howdy from Chicago

Howdy Jim.....Welcome.

A couple of suggestions......First unless you're just a stone natural, simply renting a truck for a day will not be enough time to learn what you need to know to pass a pre-trip test, a skills test, and a road test. Even those to whom these skills come easy take at least a couple of weeks of fairly intense training to get to the point where they can pass their CDL examination. Furthermore, it is my impression (admitting that I could be totally wrong, but don't think I am) even if you were to pass these tests with minimal training, it might be difficult to find a quality job. Most companies, when they hire a newbie, want to know where you went to school....... and saying "my buddy Billy taught me everything I know", most likely won't fly. So, that leaves you with roughly 3 choices:

1. Go to a private CDL school, usually very expensive, but fairly brief (maybe 3 or 4 weeks). If you elect to go this route, choose carefully and wisely.....do a lot of research. Once again, there are varying degrees of professionalism in these kinds of schools and if you pick the right one, you may find out that your new employer will reimburse your tuition upon completion. Pick the wrong one and you may find it very difficult to find a job. Personally, I would not go to any school, public or private, that was not PTDI endorsed.

2. Community College. Usually takes a bit longer (8 weeks) but can be a third of the cost of a private school and you would find it fairly easy to get grants and student loans (that can be paid back if / when you go with an employer that offers tuition reimbursement). Again, if they are not PTDI endorsed, I would not go.

3. Trucking company schools. There are several companies that offer their own training for the cost of indentured servitude from anywhere from 6 months to 2 years. If you look around the forums, you will find them......I'm pretty sure there's a link somewhere to all of them, but I can't find it right now. The upside of these "schools" is that there is little if any money out of pocket and you are virtually guaranteed a job after completion. The down side is that if you fall out of love with them or they with you during the payback period, (again, most of these companies will require 1 year of service to them to fulfill your obligation), you very likely will be on the hook for between $2,000 and $5,000.

Good luck in your search. Take some time to read these threads......there is a tremendous amount of information on this site and it is doubtful that whatever question you have has not already been asked and answered. I recommend the search bar in the upper left hand corner. Also, I recommend the practice tests that are on this site.......practice every day and you will pass your written exam with no problem. Good luck.......