Hopefully this will help someone out there since I see a lot of the same questions being asked that I had. I will try to organize it somewhat so it doesnt ramble on. Age/new career: This one will be a relative answer. I'm in my early 40's and going into this with no inside knowledge of the industry. I have always operated mobile equipment and machinery and enjoyed it so this was a natural progression for me. If you're coming from a desk job your views may differ. Out of pocket VS company paid: I took all my money and paid cash. I know not everyone can afford this but if you can I highly suggest it. I have done a lot of research and have talked to every trucker I come across. If you pay you are free to go anywhere that hires new drivers (there are a few companies besides the ones you see daily). What school: Some things you need to ask...how many students per class? Do they have manual? What is their success rate (what % pass the on their first try, what is their total % pass rate)? And I mean get their licence, not just the class or written. Do they use sleeper cabs and 48+' trailers or day cabs and small trailers? Most schools I see use somewhat modern equipment but it doesnt hurt to ask anyway. The first school I went to was basically a driver mill for a major company (no names). I walked into a room of 40+ rejects, then found out they train with autos. I quickly exited, stage right, and started calling around. Study: Every break, lunch, and weekend I was going over pretrips and air brake tests in my head. Repeteveness is key if you're totally new to this as I am. Even if you can already drive, you wont even get to the driving if you cant pass a pretrip. Endorsements: Yes, get them all. It doesnt cost a thing (except the TSA fee for hazmat) and it's just better for you because it opens more doors. A friend of mine went with a company school, he never even heard of endorsements. Research: You're already here so I assume you are doing some, search more! Like I tell my kids, there is literally a world of info at your fingertips. Search here, watch videos, get ahold of study guides, etc. Same with jobs/companies, search for driver reviews on indeed, glassdoor, go to a truck stop and ask drivers, find drivers on IG or FB, etc. Just remember people only leave reviews when they're super happy or super pissed, so take in all as a whole and split the difference if ya know what I mean. Anyway, I'm sure theres more I could add but that's all for the moment. It's new years eve and I'm just bored in a hotel room. I'm spending this entire week in orientation for my new job as a driver. Found a company that pays somewhat decent, hires new drivers, and their employees actually seem happy. Good luck to everyone.
I strongly recommend newbies don't pick a CDL school until they have settled on which trucking company to work for. If you have a "destination" in mind it's easier to stay focused and get there directly. CDL school is too short and you will be too busy during school to do much research. If you wait until during or after CDL school to pick an employer you will almost certainly strongly lean toward ANY company that shows up at school and makes a presentation. MOST students will presume any company the school allows to make a presentation to students must be pretty good. THERE IS NO REASON TO THINK THAT. You don't know if the school is allowing that company to present to students because the school gets paid by the company. Some newbies get cold feet after completing CDL school or spend too long looking for their first driving job. You do not want to have a brand new CDL and no job a few months after school. Know before you go. CR England may be the worst "mega company" in the industry for new drivers. Low pay, 3 people assigned to training trucks, poor quality trainers/training. Half of trucking companies offer Tuition Reimbursement to new-hire drivers.Also, it's possible to get a grant to pay for your CDL school expenses through your state's unemployment office. In many places this program is called WOIA or WIA. Every CDL school will find you a loan if you don't have money to pay for school. After school you really need to get 1 year of experience at your first trucking company. While it's possible to get hired with better companies with less than 1 year of experience, once you have 1 year of accident/ticket free experience you can work at much better companies. That's to say getting 12 months experience working at 2,3,4 companies is much less desirable than 1 year at 1 company. That should be your goal. To me that means it's meaningless if you sign a contract with a trucking company in exchange for your CDL license or if you pay for it yourself (cash or loan). It's more important that the company you pick fits YOU. Some of the biggest trucking companies that hire newbies have the majority of their drivers with 0-6 months experience. Not, the majority of their newly hired drivers with 0-6 months experience. The majority of their working drivers have 0-6 months experience. Why would you want to work for a company that cannot keep drivers working for them? They are not going to treat you better than they treat their current drivers. Before you pick a company to work for make them put you in contact with current drivers working in the division you are getting hired to work in. Reading web pages, Craigslist ads, and talking to a recruiter is NOT enough info. Talk to drivers at that company before you decide. You read the reviews before you buy something online. Get the reviews before you pick a trucking company.
Tscottme, thank you for adding that. I ommited that because I simply dont have that kind of experience and i was focusing on the school part, but i totally agree with you. Out of the 5 or so recruiters there was only one of them i was even slightly interested in after researching them further. Recruiters will make everything seem great with them. Either by bending truths, leaving out negatives, or blatantly lying. It is up to you too research.
VERY interested in your post. You answered several of my questions. I'm JUST looking in the CDL and what will be needed. Do I HAVE to go through a school to get my CDL? What about my physical? Is it hard to pass? Sounds like a WORLD of info. and I'm at the starting line.
Practically speaking, yes you have to go to CDL school. Legally you can read your state's book on CDL and learnt the Federal regulations for truck drivers on your own. It will seem overwhelming because the regs have a lot of stuff that are requirements but you seldom do. People at the school will focus on the big things you do a lot, and mention the small things you MIGHT do sometimes. The trouble, if you don't go to school, is how do you get a truck and trailer to practice the skills. Once you have settled on a company that fits your needs then decide if you will go to a CDL school near you or a CDL school near the company, or go to the trucking company's own CDL school. A school has a lot of practice teaching the info to newbies. The school is only about passing the state CDL test. Your first company will teach you the other 90% of the info and skills you need to do this job. Don't believe you can rent a truck on your own and do it your self. You will waste some money, get frustrated and still pay for CDL school. Pick your first employer because they are a good place to work and then go to school whatever way makes sense. Signing a contract can be a good idea or a bad idea depending on how the trucking company matches what needs you have.
