Howdy! Trying to get into the trucking business

I'm new to this forum, and am too just starting out on the path to a CDL. I live in Texas, so anything I post may not be correct for other states.

I looked into CDL training at the local colleges. There is one that had a 7 week training program at a cost of ~$2500. The cost of the training and the commute to the campus over a 7 week period is more than I could afford. So, I decided to go at it from a less costly method; self study for the written tests and a local, low cost, truck driving school for the driving experience. I am attempting a class A certification.

I went down today and took several of the written tests (all but School Bus and Hazmat). I had been studying the Texas CDL Drivers handbook and took several of the free practice tests that can be found on the internet (just Google "free CDL practice tests"). I passed all but one test, (I failed Operating a Commercial Motor Vehicle by 2 points). None of the free practice tests covered the test I failed. This (failed) test is from the information found in section 14 of the Texas CDL Drivers handbook.

I did go and get a DOT Physical last week only to find out that, in Texas, it is only required for bus drivers. I easily passed the physical so I guess the $105.00 was not a total loss...

I will get back with more details about how the "low cost" truck driving school went and, once class A certified, any difficulty with which I have in finding a job.

 

When I had my CDL permit it was from Texas. I can say from experiance that Texas is a different animal when it comes to this. You do section 14 to get your permit, then you have to take all the other written tests. Hazmat was not all that difficult. It would be handy to have for some of the companies out there.

Not sure where you went for your DoT physical, as I only payed 40 when I got mine last year. Too bad the company I was shooting for didn't work out. The physical is required before getting into most schools and / or company paid training. Just look at some of the prereqs for CDL programs.

Overall wherever you get your CDL, it's a lot of pre-trip knowledge, knowing new terminology such as what the glad hands are, the braking system, air pressure, marker hight, etc. Also in there is the type of fire extinquisher that is required in your truck.

Hope this helps you and anyone else. Now to further my search for a company as well. I would love to get a grant and go to school, but I have a deferred student loan that was in default before, so unless the VA can do something for me, then I'm stuck to a company paid program (GI Bill runs a month behind, so I would still have to pay up front before getting reimbursed).

 

I called around to 3 different medical offices and was quoted prices from $105 to $300 for a DOT Physical. What the physical consisted of was maybe about $10 worth of effort on the Doctor's part; fairly disappointing and somewhat of a joke. I guess they met the minimum requirements by law but I sure expected more when I made the appointment.

I have seen several job postings that require a DOT Physical.

I have been studying for the Hazmat certification/endorsement. My thought for this is not to go through the background checks and all the other processes unless I get a job that requires it. I have passed federal, state and local background checks for certain other licensing requirements in the past, so I shouldn't have a problem here.

 

I was disappointed as well. With the exception of the urine test for blood and sugar, I felt it was a waste of money. Especially since after I got the DOT physical card, I was told by a recruiter that I'd have to pay their Doc to take the physical again! Yaaaay!

 

My recommendation to the young guys posting here is if you're going to invest in school, i wouldn't do it with truck driving school. i'd go get a good education and not be pushing freight up and down the highway for the rest of your lives, away from your families for weeks/months at a time. it's not really a very good life. with that being said, if you have your minds made up and want get into the trucking business, keep calling the large companies j.b. hunt, schneider, etc... most of them will sponsor the right candidate but, you'll have to sign a contract with them to drive for them a certain period of time. and man are you gonna get the shaft for that 1 or 2 years that you are obligated to them for. as soon as your time is up start applying with the ltl carriers such as yellow freight, ups, fed ex, etc... i'm glad i didn't have to go thru all that since my family was in the business and i just grew up around it. GOOD LUCK!!!