I'm trying to figure out the best way to get my CDL and get started. I would like to get my CDL, do my training time and go solo in the southeast. Once I get started, then my wife is planning on getting her CDL so we could team drive together. Any recommendations on the best route to go here in Central Florida??? I have looked at CDL Schools (roadmaster & mid fl tech) vs Company Driving Academies (crst, stevens, sift, roehl) Why is there such a cost difference with driving schools? Vo-tech is around $2,000, company driving schools around $3-4000 and CDL schools $4-6000. It doesn't make sense that an 8 week school is $2k and a 3 week school is $6k
No it doesnt make sense does it. Right now though you need to be careful that the school you go to is acredited with the DOT and the FMSCA. there are going to be new laws coming when CSA 2010 goes into affect regarding schools. Also make sure you check out the treads on the forum about the trucking companies you can use the search feature to make it alot easier. You will have to separate the obvious rant post from the honest ones but you should be able to get the general idea of the company. Also remember "one mans dream job is another man nightmare" or a womans too so there ya have my 2 cents Be safe and good luck out there
Good luck to you guys! I live in central fl, and my wife and I teamed for Central Ref. Sometimes they have hiring freezes for fl though. We loved working for Central and made very good money. They really treat their teams like gold! I went to TDI in Sanford back in 96'. In 2002 I convinced my wife to go. It did take a lot of convincing but she ended up doing it. My wife is quite the girly, girl and had no problems learning. School was a blast. Since I had experience and she didn't they just put us with a trainer for two weeks. It was a little tight but we made it through it. Your wife is going to be in for a shock as far as the lifestyle is concerned! It is going to take you guys a few months before you are comfortable with everything and start to get in the groove of things. Our first year at Central we cleared $106,000 take home and more than doubled that as owner ops the next year! Husband and wife teams can really do good. We are now retired and own a horse training facility, which is the real reason we went out on the road. We had the adventure of a lifetime and now we really miss it. We are currently planning on doing it again in our elder years. Just to let you guys know Central does have a school. It is in Utah. They will pay to get you out there if that is the way you decide to go. Or you could get your license and while you are driving your wife could attend the company school and you can pick her up for training when she is done.
