Need help getting my CDL

You could qualify for a WIA (Workforce Investment Act) grant from the feds. There are some hoops you have to jump through, but basically they are looking for motivated people. You sound pretty motivated. Go to your local unemployment office and find out about the WIA program. You can do it either in Florida or Alabama. Basically they will pay for your training to go to a driving school to get your CDL. You have to pick the school. They aren't even going to tell you where to go. I'm almost certain you would qualify.

 

Dude,

You are currently in florida, forget about moving and concentrate on NOW.

You are here (so am I-ocala) so find something here to start with.

If Swift isn't your cup of tea, try the other biggies-Stevens, FFE, etc etc....

Get something set in motion before this week is out..burn that keyboard up !!!!

Good Luck, got questions, ASK us.......keep this thread going instead of starting others...........and you're right-that part of florida is tough for work !!

 

All of the federal student aid and grant programs are available for truck driving schools.
They just have to be fully accredited schools, and most of them are not.
The accredited school will take allot longer to finish, most are 8 weeks or more.
But with them you can get pell grants and guaranteed student loans, just like at college.
I went to DDAI in 1991 and got a normal student loan.

 

So I went to the Fort Myers Career Center to find out about the WIA program, and left about 5 minutes later as MAD as I have ever been!

Seems that in this part of Florida, they require a letter intent from a company saying they will hire you BEFORE they even see if you qualify for the rest of the program! And they have (so they say) 500 truckers in the system NOT working???

I am so sick of this area I want to cry. So many bureaucratic hoops to jump throough I am surprised ANYONE is working down here....

so now WIA is no longer an option for me....

applied at swift online... still trying to get in touch with one of their recruiters...

keep the advice and ideas coming! Thanks Guys! (and gals)

 

Rule Numero Uno.............................

Kill the attitude, it won't work in this line of work !!!!!

OK< keep calling Swift, until you talk to somebody !! Manners are important here !!!!

And remeber, you can use somebodys address, above Interstate 4, for hiring purposes !!!

There are tricks to doing this stuff, remain calm, you'll have a better chance at it !!!!

 

You could try your local c/c & see if they have a truck driving coarse.

 

Also, I have no idea how much reading you've done on here. But there is alot of really good info, and alot of your questions can be answered by reading here.

Be sure that you qualify for a driving school and job. How is your driving record, and criminal record????

Can you pass a physical examination???? Are you at least 21 years old??

Before you go thru all the hoops, just make sure you qualify !!!!!!

Good Luck !!!!!

 

JTR,

I just got off the phone with swift and they told me they wont even LOOK at my app as long as I am in Florida.

yes, I am 32, can easily pass any physical they give me, no criminal record, and clean driving record but for a suspension for lack of insurance in 2004.

More brick walls.... Whats next?

 

No attitude... just alittle discouraged..... I will get past it.

 

What I did was contact a few companys that would front the bill to put you threw driving school. I went threw CRST they sent me to C-1 in north little rock,Ar.. there's only one issue with that tho when you find a company to send you to Truck Driveing school you are made to sign either a one or two year contact to drive for them..good luck to you !! here are some links for you to check out
http://www.truckschoolsusa.com/
http://www.classadrivers.com/
http://www.findatruckingjob.com/
http://www.truckdriving.com/html/index.php