Just got my CDL A! But all companies in the area require 12+months experience.

Good luck making it then...

 

@ OP

No school?
Dunno...
I went. Some, as I have seen in this topic put school down. I'm sure that the MAJORITY of people, as some of those that I went to school with, prove what has been said.

BUT... IF, YOU! as an individual, are top notch, capable of learning and retaining info, in other words, got your stuff wired tight, you can get outta school and get a job.

It was lookin like OTR was MY only option. And with a wife, 4 kids (1 of which is 2 and the other 7 months) OTR was the LAST option.

So, I got a job with a local company hauling bulk cement.
I was in training for 3 weeks.
Now? I drove through NYC (LI,Bronx,etc) 3 times this week. SOLO. No accidents or incidents thus far. (Praise God)

My point is, OP, you really need SOMETHING that makes you stand out from "the rest". When I took my road test, I think that being able to DRIVE the truck (with a fully loaded 28Ton tanker, for the FIRST time, ever) and know my pre-trip inspection went a LONG way. Knowing how to shift up AND down, and not getting stuck on hills (like another guy that was trying out) - was ALL due, every bit, to going to school. Of which, I took VERY seriously. I was there on MY DIME. Not the Gov's.

I'm making decent money too. First year driver. #### good actually. I make 24% of the loads I take.

In closing, it's like EVERYTHING else. Keep your head up. Roll the nay saying off your back, keep focused on your objective, realizing HOW to get to the end of it, and final, key, PERSEVERANCE.

Again, school, I recommend, highly. Then, if not OTR, look at local BULK transport companies.

Good luck.