I got mine on my own and worked for a small rental company for a while. But when my dad and I wanted to team with a major carrier, I had to go to a school and then with a trainer. sent from my EVO4gLTE OCed and MEANbean
It can make it harder to find that first trucking job is all. If you have one lined up, then no worries. If you don't have a job lined up, do some hunting around first. We've had threads here by people who got a CDL on their own, and then couldn't find a job.
I got mine on my own. Went on wheat harvest to get a little experience then came home and started working for a local guy. Split my time between pulling a hopper bottom locally and run flatbed regional and otr. Couldn't be happier
i never went to school i just borrowed a buddies truck and took the road test worked out fine for me except that it took 2 years before i got a driving job and had to move halfway across the country (lived in central florida) only bright side was when i finally did get a job it was with a small 5 truck operation and he had some nice trucks to this day i will not set foot in anything less then a pacarr product
It is the trucking companies. When I went back after not driving for awhile all the big ones told me that I have to go to driving school to get a refresher or go through their own school. It is a easy money maker for the companies. I went to work for a local company and they sent me out with one of their drivers for a test drive. I got hired and got a new truck on the second day.
I visited two driving schools, talked to the trainers, watched them work in the yard and decided that they were not worth paying for. Got mine on my own and hired on with a small company. Went out with a company driver for two weeks and he cut me loose on my own.
how am i looking for shortcuts? ive got guys that will help me get my cdl and i have a couple of options to go to once i have a cdl
most people find it stupid i guess since i have to build my own path towards get a good job, i just dont want to f*** with the training companys and i dont have the money to go to a good school
well ive got one for sure job after i get my cdl to pull a hopper for mcleod express then theyd possible move me to dump if i like, they are just gonna send me out with a company driver for the first day then send me on my own. the second job is possible with the company my buddy wors for he has a hand full of trucks and he said hed let me drive with my friend to learn the ropes. theres alot of guys that have hopper bottoms that haul for local elevators and other farmers
getting your CDL your self instead of paying a driving school is not dumb its very smart if you can get a local driving job to get some exp under your belt the only good thing about a driving school would be them helping you get a job with a nationwide company from the get go