Newbie from texas

If you have a family member that can teach you how to drive a truck and help you pass the CDL tests, that is by far your best bet. CDL schools are, for the most part, a complete rip off, except for those held at community colleges. But even those can't give you undivided attention like a family member can.

It doesn't matter how you learn to drive when it comes to getting your CDL. As long as you pass the written and road tests, you'll get your license. But not many people are lucky enough to have a family member who can teach you to drive a big rig. Take advantage of that.

It's normal to be nervous. But it's a great career move... Definitely the best one I ever made.

 

Keep in mind, this experience you may gain as a "rider" will most likely not be counted by any future carrier employer as "experience". While it may in fact be better experience than you'll get at a typical CDL school, it's still not countable since you're not actually a "driver" (carrier's employee) and a future carrier employer will err on the side of caution and not give you much of the benefit of the doubt as to just what type of experience you did or did not walk away with. When it's all said and done, you may still have to either go to a CDL school or go to a carrier who has their own training program and perhaps you can be fast-tracked if you demonstrate real-world skills and knowledge.

 

I'm not too keen on schools being able to teach "the right way". My opinion of the typical "CDL school" is not very high. If you have the opportunity to spend a month or 2 with a CDL permit, and can work with a relaive and actually gain some experience backing and grasping the various aspects of trucking, you will be able to breeze through CDL school when (if?) you need to as the next step. Or you will find that maybe trucking is not in your blood and you can save yourself the frustration and costs. Many in CDL school today and yesterday would have killed to have the opportunity to run with someone for a month or 2 to get a feel for the trade before they took the leap.

And I guess I should also comment that not everyone is cut out to teach. They can all show and they can only show what they know. Maybe they're good maybe they're so-so. I know nothing about this individual you're talking about so its hard to say what kind of experience overall it may actually be for you. Observe, and listen to others, too (in the real world) and you will learn much more.

 

You might get a few more people to read your post if you maybe used a period or two. That's one really long sentence and kinda hard to read.

Anyway, where in Texas do you live? Anywhere near Ft Worth?

Mary

Mary

 

if you decide to go to a company that has it's own "school" don't be afraid of that 12 month contract. i went to ffe's in lancaster/dallas. after getting my cdl went out for 4 weeks with their trainer then on my own for @ 3 months. after starving on 1,500 miles a week @ .28 a mile, i walked and found a diff company. 8 months later they finally started calling wanting $$. they demanded $3,500 and settled for around $1,200. and offered to let me pay that off over 12 months.

good luck, lots of companies hiring here in Texas, from reefer to van to flat to oil fields.