"Looking For Advice On CDL."

Start looking at small companies who will talk with you, as the big carriers have a checklist for recruiters that you can't get beyond.

Here's an FMCSA database that will let you pull up companies by state, by company name, and their US DOT #:

http://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/SMS/Data/Search.aspx

Also search on Craigslist.com under Transportation as you may find postings from small companies who don't have a lot of money to spend on advertising. Be careful and don't give your information to them online. Ask for their US DOT # and check that they are still in good standing in the FMCSA database before you go for an interview or give personal information.

 

Don't rule out companies just because they say they want a driver with lover a year experience...
I am in a similar situation as you.. got my CDL license in 2009 went out on the road pulling flatbed for four months.. only, it was not as legit as I thought it would be and so, is not verifiable...
Last week I went in to a company that hires local drivers for regional routes.. they want at least 1 to 2 years verifiable experience... So, I knew I would.t get the job, but I figured it would go e me practice in talking to companies where I might be able to get on...
So, I went in, talked to them,.. and they asked if I would be willing to do a drive test.. I said yes and they called in this guy and he took me out to the truck and we did a drive test.. pre- trip and all.. had me drive around a bit and tested me backing up.. then, went back in to talk with them more..
To my surprise.. they asked me to fill out an application and then told me that they are seasonal and have only about 4 weeks left before they shut down for the season and so are not hiring now, but, when the seasons starts would mike to put me in a truck... It is for a road crew and not exactly what I am looking for.. but, starting at $14 an hour it is good to know I have that option in the future when the start back up in march..

Here is what is important... They want to know what you know.. so, when you tell them about your experience.. tell them what you learned from It.. what I mean, is don't just tell them that knight sent you to wrong places... Tell them you learned how to effeciently manage your time, route, talk and deal with shippers..
Becareful not to spend too much time talking about how bad it was.. obviouslyif it was good you would of stayed with knight... Also, it is like dating.. they don't want to be a rebound company for you.. google the company and get some info on them so you can tell them why you want to work for them... Because they run regional or ghe run ghe west... Because you have seen their trucks and drivers at truck stops and it got your attention..
Also, be observant.. I noticed a KC Chiefs cup behind him.. and happened to know the Chiefs were 2 and O
So I asked if he was a chiefs fan.. he said yes.. I said, may be a good season for them, good 2 and O start..
Well that was a bonding moment and put us both at ease..

 

One more important thing.. don't over brag your skills.. they will test you and make sure you can do what you said you could do.. I told them I could drive a truck, could back it up and tarp a load.. that is why they pit me in the truck to test.. when I passed the first two they were good..
They had me back into this dock.. there was another dock just down the way which looked much more tricky.. but, I did not tell them I was the Back Up Goddess and could teach most driver's a thing or two..
I said to the guy testing me that I was thankful he didn't have me do that tricky dock.. he laughed and said yeah it is a tricky one.. and told me about this guy who came in bragging up his back up skills so fussy had him prove it and back into the tricky doc.. said it frustrated him because he couldn't get it easy...

 

All Driving Schools and Instructors operating for a fee have to be licensed by Arizona MVD.
There is a difference between school and 3rd party tester. If you went to a CDL school they should of at least taken you to a CDL MVD to do the testing. If they were a School with 3 party testers after your course you should have been given your road test. In either case if you weren't quite ready to take your test you should have been told and probably coerced into doing some more lessons. As it seems none of this happened the following questions should arise.

1. All Instructors in Arizona have to be licensed by the MVD. Was the Knight instructors Licensed?

2. All Driving Schools in Arizona have to Licensed by MVD. Is Knight licensed as a Professional Driving School?

You need to contact MVD on Jefferson Ave Phoenix and lodge a complaint, If you get the brush of contact the attorney Generals office.

With regard to getting certified, You mention Navajo, to my knowledge they are part of Highway Distribution Services (HDS) which is a good licensed school, perhaps if you talk to them you could do a refresher course, road test and be offered a job. Obviously you would have to pay in some way but you never know until you ask.

Good Luck

 

Check with some companies about their refresher course; after refresher, you will be good to go.

Navajo
Swift
CRST

As far as companies lying, take that out of the equation; there is no perfect company out there for everyone. After the refresher obligation is complete, then apply to the quality companies in tanker or flatbed; System Transport, check Careerbuilder website, don't apply with the mega starter companies.

 

You miss the point if Knight are not a licensed school and their so called Instructors are not licensed they are operating an education facility illegally. Which means if people are paying for CDL training fraud is being committed. In Arizona all Driving Schools and Instructors must be licensed.

 

Knight school is on their website. Surely a company as large as Knight & based in AZ, is operating legally under AZ law.