My buddy wants to get his CDL without going to school

Trucking hires require two things.
Either recent veritable experience or trucking school graduate.
Having a CDL doesn't guarantee anything jobwise without one of those two above criteria. It may however open a door to a training program with a company that might otherwise be closed. If your pals criminal or driving record has enough negatives on it he wont be accepted into a training program anyway...CDL in posession or not. Companies cannot afford to take any chances due to liability issues should something happen.

 

Pretty sure those speeding tickets matter for at least 5 years, depends on carrier. This job is driving. As far as carriers know, anything you've done in a car, you'll do in a truck, and you drive that far more dangerous truck a LOT longer than you ever drove a car.

I'm kinda getting the impression that he thinks driving is a job that will take anybody, and he has no idea what he's in for. This industry actually scrutinizes a lot. Lots of regulation on us now. Lots of drug tests too.

 

If he can not get into a mega training program, he has a problem or problems with his background. getting a CDL on his own will not help get a job at all if he has background problems

 

He needs to put his big boy pants on. There's no reason an adult shouldn't be working and be working and being stable.

 

You can get it without schooling or training and you can get a job without it. I took my permit test then rented a truck and trailer and took my driving test. I got a job driving for a local guy and have an awesome job.

The problem the ops friend has is that it sounds like he has poor work history. To do it like I did he has to have something to offer and it sounds like he has nothing.

I have a spotless work history record including 26 years working for someone part time. That was how I was able to land my current job.

 

After a 30+ year hiatus from trucking I let my CDL lapse and got it back again on my own. Paid for my own medical exam, took the written test, and used my brother's truck to take the drive test. After three month's OTR experience co-driving with my brother that experience was taken in lieu of school when I hired on with Swift. I then had to complete their training program as if I was a new school graduate.

Other folks have used those Rent-A-Truck outfits for about $400-800 for the day they take the DMV drive test.

Bottom line it sounds like "Danny" has issues that are a red flag for any company. If his speeding tickets are classified as reckless driving (16 mph over the speed limit in most states) then he's basically unhireable. Two seat belt tickets in less than 5 minutes? Huge red flag. That's serious business getting a no seat belt ticket for a professional driver. Sounds to me like "Danny" needs to grow up and be responsible and figure out he's not the only person on the planet when he's driving and start taking care to make sure everyone around him gets home safely. If he can do that for a few more years until the red flags come off his record, THEN he should start the process of getting a CDL. Right now it's likely a waste of time and he's probably nowhere near ready for the level of responsibility this job requires.

Regarding whether he should start his own business versus getting a job.... really? Does he honestly think he's ready to take on the additional responsibility of a business? Doesn't sound like it to me at first blush.

 

There are companies in Northern Ohio I heard that will allow you to 'borrow' one of their trucks for the testing....... ( I think by borrow, the person that told me meant 'rent').... but I also know that the DMV's instructors in Ohio are Strict about the Pre-Trip......
Sometimes, NOT ALL depending on your instructor, but sometimes it seems someone can almost bomb everything else behind the wheel (providing it doesn't result in a wreck) as long as you nail the pre-trip portion. Go figure..... (That tid-bit was NOT found to be true of the Ohio instructors and I leave the facility censored).
I hope your buddy can find a truck and best of luck to him and everyone in his situation.

 

There's several companies that will hire him with the criminal record, but not before completing a CDL school first.

 

well it seems like your freinds options are somewhat limited re check with the state for possible carrer based student loans but other than that is you get training with a company be sure to do your research with the company on sites like glassdoor and other sites check the pay and the reviews I shake my head every time I see a post on certain driving schools and these guys have no idea they will sign a two year contract with that company yeah you will get some half arse training but you will be on the road making less than poverty wages for two years and they will run you into the ground and trust me it is no fun being on the road and not have a dime to your name even for a happy meal been there done that So the main thing is if you get training do your research on the company you will be stuck with first

 

Some people just aren't nearly smart enough to be a truck driver.