Order of steps: wanting to drive up to having CDL

Some schools require you to obtain the CDL permit before you begin school. Other schools have the teachers teach you the information that will be on the permit test, then you go take the permit test several days into school. Usually the schools will have you take a test first, something to show them that you will be smart enough to become a truck driver, I can't remember the name of the test. And the school will have an entrance interview with you. You have to have a full DMV record that you will go over with the school to make sure that you will be eligible to be hired by a trucking company. You will also discuss your prior record, felonies and misdemeanors, to determine your future in being hired. And usually you will take your DOT physical and drug screen before entering school. Then when you are hired by a company, the company doctor will do the same thing all over again.

 

Take a lot of time and do your research. Read up on this forum, and cruise around other web sites. Only believe about 1/10 of what you read. You are going to be making a huge lifestyle change and you want to make sure that you don't cut corners. Take the time to enroll in quality training. Lots of threads will tell you either to enroll in a company school or not to enroll in a company school, pay for your own school, don't pay for your own school, etc. It boils down to you making the best decision for your circumstances. Don't be quick to jump on board with the first company that hires you. Take your time to figure out what company that you want to work for. Don't be hung up on the cpm, many more things are more important in the long run than that little number. Good luck.