New here, CDL/Hazmat question

I am a 20 year old male from Delaware. I am looking for a job as soon as I graduate from CDL driver school. It is a four week class M-F with weekends off, starting July 10. Interested in trying out a Hazmat job but I'm also unsure whether to do local, regional, or OTR first starting out.

What's the best companies in Delaware or nearby to work for and are accepting fresh new drivers? I'm also looking for pay information (CPM, weekly pay recommendations).

Should I start the process of getting my hazmat endorsement ahead of time? I went to the DMV the other day and picked up a CDL drivers manual so I am studying for the permit test. The school says the permit test is optional but not required before starting classes. Wondering what exactly I should do to be the most prepared.

 

Your biggest problem--you're TOO YOUNG.

Many carriers won't hire you until you reach age 22; some want you to be older than that. For hazmat tanker, a lot of them want you to be at least age 25.

Suggestion: TAKE YOUR TIME. The overall general freight market right now pretty much sucks.

Another suggestion: get your CDL--and along with it--get ALL of the major endorsements: tanker, hazmat, and also...doubles/triples.

Afterwards--get a job working the docks (get "forklift certified" first) at one of the LTL companies: R & L Carriers, Estes, Old Dominion, SAIA, or even Yellow. Work the docks while you get experience inside the LTL world. When a driving job opens up that you later qualify for--you'll be already there.

Those are some of the best-paying driving jobs in the business, anyway.

-- Lual

 

DOT Transportation in Bear hires 18 yr. old cdl drivers. Drivers under the age of 21 will drive within the state and not cross the state line until the age of 21.
Delaware
Bear
301 American Boulevard
Bear, DE 19701
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Start Driving at 18 (Not 21)!
Drivers Under 21 - Drive For DTI | Dot Transportation, Inc.
While many transportation companies make you wait until you’re 21 to start driving professionally, several Dot Transportation distribution centers and terminals have openings for prospective drivers right out of high school!

Since drivers must be at least 21 years of age to cross state lines, DTI’s “intrastate routes” (i.e. routes that do not require crossing state lines) allow drivers at least 18 years of age to start turning over miles and earn money without straying too far from home.

 

When will you be 21?

 

Early November

 

Dot Transportation is a good outfit. Various type loads to choose from, various work schedules to choose from, has local/regional to choose from.
Dot will reimburse your cdl school tuition back to you, up to $7000.00
Paid vacation after 6 mos.
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Driver Job Types - DTI
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Driver Home Time & Lifestyle | Drive For DTI | Dot Transportation, Inc.
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Driver Compensation & Benefits | Drive For DTI | Dot Transportation, Inc.

 

Dot Transportation has their own cdl school for those living within 100 miles of Williamsport, Maryland.
$750.00 weekly while attending cdl school.

 

I shouldn't have a problem driving within state lines until I turn 21 (a few months away) and sticking it out at Dot for at least a year. Pay seems promising, although it is kind of a setback potentially having to wait a few extra years until I can drive hazmat.

I studied accounting for two years at a community college and found it to be incredibly boring and decided I wasn't mature enough for college. Things happen

ETA: Can I apply ahead of time?

 

You can pull hazmat right out of cdl school and at 21 years old with Schneider Bulk.
www.schneiderjobs.com

 

Mike Hoare was an accountant and like you was bored and couldn't take it anymore.
Maybe you can follow in his footsteps.
Mercenary 'Mad Mike' Hoare dies aged 100 - BBC News