Jim Palmer Trucking...

JPT is a good place to start. Their training is well organized and personal. There might be 5 students in class, not 30 like most CDL schools. If you leave before working your full year you could owe $3500 for school. That is a very reasonable cost. Many CDL schools cost 2 to e times that much. The good/bad part is how much time you spend with a trainer 2-3 months is good for learning under supervision. But that is a long time to share a small space if you can sleep in a moving truck.

I almost worked there. I like them. They are a legit company.

 

I’ve been with JPT for a little over a year now. I started the training program in January of last year. It’s a good program i’d recommend it. If you have any questions feel free to ask me in here or over pm.

 

As a rule of thumb a solo driver can drive about 10,000 miles per month. As soon and you have a little training and supervision you and the trainer can run almost like a team. IIRC, those mileage requirements you state apply to the truck. So as soon as you can start real driving you can get through training kinda fast. And you can request additional time with the trainer if you or he feel you need it. Some people can sleep in a moving truck and some people cannot. Riding with a trainer is when you learn 90% of this job. It's very valuable and it eventually is frustrating sharing such a small space with another person. Prime and Jim Palmer use the same type of training program. But JP does their training in Montana. Expect to stay out 4 weeks before you can get home time. I get pretty close to my red-line just staying out 1 week.

 

@COBB2070 Yes sir, you stay out for 3-5 weeks with a trainer who at this point is sitting shotgun just helping you out with advice and such. During that time you are not paid anything but you can take advances to the tune of $200 if I remember correctly. JP does run teams and as far as getting a dedicated lane fresh out of training, maybe if you ask nicely. The dispatchers are in general pretty accommodating.

 

Swift has you go out with a trainer for about a month and then return to your home area to complete your CDL license exam. At least that was what their site said when I was doing permit training & such with them.

 

I cannot mention swift from starting point as a fresh CDL standpoint but my past experiences they have a few good mentors rest are horrible is my take.
Just because you can run your logs doesn't make you a good teacher me I can run but don't get me teaching you crap not tommro, and not 20 years from now. My thing is I one don't trust anyone but my driving so you driving me around would violate my one and only rule of the truck.

No matter what group you go with don't sign a non-compete they are not worth your time. ones who do that know you will leave in a heartbeat based on their poor quality.

 

I worked for Prime Inc. They're under the same umbrella. I got my CDL through Prime. Hands down it was the best decision I ever made. I'd go to Prime if I were you. They offer the same exact model except your going straight to the source instead of the messenger.