Should I get my Class A CDL at 18 years old or wait until I am 21 years old?

don't have to be 21 before you can obtain a cdl?

the govt wants you to learn to drive a car first.

 

My son got his at 18 I signed for him a 379 and a timtpe hopper hauls instate for grain brokers. At 19 he handles the truck extemely well but he loves it, and is driving his dream truck that will get more than a few tickets should you want some. Every time he has been inspected no violations, always gets the sticker for his window helps dad keep his log book straight. So I wouldn't say age limits are a good thing, I will take an 18 year old that wants to drive and was raised around a trk any day over a 30 year old that gets outta bed one morning goes to cdl school spends 2 weeks with a trainer and hits the open road.

 

You seem pretty motivated and you can put together a well thought out post.

I think if you went out and hit up some smaller local companies they would love to put you to work in the shop. From there they could teach you how to drive, and they could teach you a lot of things you won't learn at some crappy truck driving school. At your age I wouldn't suggest going to a school, you have a lot of potential and a good smaller outfit will see that.

Some places still do that, I'm training the lot kid how to drive right now. He's washing trucks right now, but we would rather invest a lot of money in training him rather then hiring some idiot off the street that's going to tear up the equipment.

There's a lot more to being a truck driver then holding a steering wheel, if you can find a place that knows it you will do well.

 

Don't know if you would consider moving but there is a company in Michigan that runs Michigan only from the bottom to the U-P they will hire 18 yr olds that basically all they have is drivers under 21 trying to get the wheel time

 

Couldn't agree with you more, I'd take a motivated 18 year old over just about anyone. Don't forget though this young man is thinking about going to a CDL mill, that's going to get him zero, well 5 grand in the hole and nothing to show for it.

 

I agree with your advise to him, start in the shop or yard lots of good backing and manuvering practice, poke every body in the ribs you can for seat time. I know just a few that really wanted to drive actually already could but used a school cause they thought it would land them a job. Like paycheck said all it landed was 5000 in debt. With the amount of motivation he shows shop time will do him a world of good cause he will branch out into O/O. The more knowledge the better, CDL schools don't care bout your knowledge, time, or our families safety just your money and since you paid for a CDL they will give you one. I'm sure good drivers have come out of CDL school they are few and far between though. All I can say is kid grit your teeth, and give them #@!* cause nothing is impossible after all this time I still have to sit on my hands to keep from waving at every body and thats how it should be gotta like what you do or life is miserable.

 

If you have the money I'd get it now. I got mine when I was 20 and got a part time job with a tire shop going to car races because no one else had a license to drive a semi! Just don't expect to get a great job right away. When you get older a good company will love the fact you have exp at such a young age. There are jobs out there for young guys other than otr!

 

Thank you everybody for the replies. I am still not sure what I should do because I am getting mixed answers, some people are telling me to get my license and others are telling me not to because I am planning on going to a "CDL Mill". But I honestly don't think I am I have heard great things about Great Lakes Trucking School. They are nationally accredited and offer lifetime job placement. I am very interested in getting on with a local company and having them train me, but I am not sure of my chances of that happening. If it would, that would be perfect. I am very motivated and I will put every ounce of my energy into this because it is truly what I want to do. My grandfather is a member of the Teamsters Union but I don't know if he knows anyone in it anymore because he is getting pretty old, but I will definitely talk to him about it. I just don't want to waste $5,000 on this schooling and end up not getting a job, that would really p*** me off. But like others have said, I am very motivated and I think that companies will see this and recognize my ability to grow. What do you guys think? I just want some more opinions on this because it is a big change for me I want to be 100% sure about this because once I start I am not looking back. Having said that, I want to thank everybody who has already commented on this post, it has already been extremely helpful!

 

I understand you wanting to drive trk now but this industry is all about waiting and patience.You already looked into schools and see they're not cheap so why not wait till you're 21 and study trucking till then.If you're bound and determained to do this now,I would suggest finding a company that only does intrastate and trains.Don't get your cdl then start looking because you'd be taking a huge gamble with all the time and money you invested in getting your cdl.

 

You might want to ask some local companies if they would hire at your age before getting your cdl. You might be able to look online for anyone that might be looking for an entry level driver and make a decision based on more research. You can also ask the schools if they know of any companies or farmers or anyone that would hire at your age... and if they say yes ask them the names of the companies and verify it for yourself. You can also ask your local community college for info.