starting the application process

you permit is a learners right?

craiglist (beware and ask the right questions) truck stop books, just keep looking and keep talking. also talk to your department of labor, you can get CDL school paid for then get a company to reimburse you. there's literally cubic ####tons of options.

 

Here's some more trucking company CDL schools that hire at 21 yrs. old:

Midwest-coast Transport
Maverick Transportation
Pride Transport
Prime Inc.
Central Refrigerated
Southern Refrigerated Transport

There's probably more that hire at 21.

 

Living in Chicago you shouldn't have to settle for crap...check into the LTL companies for training.

 

Roehl Transportation has regional and OTR, but don't know the age requirement.

Much depends on what you want; stay in the same old rut local/regional or see the USA running coast-to-coast.

 

I would say being 21 years old is going to be a hurdle for you. Most insurance companies require 23 or older.
21 is the law for driving Interstate (versus 18 on Intrastate)---but for some reason, the insurance companies seem to have set the standard at 23.

Not saying it will be impossible for you....just difficult.

 

You may be able to check out Maverick, they are self insured

 

I see you live in Chicago so you shouldn't have any problem finding regional.Almost every company offers it.How long have you had your permit?Make sure its not due to expire.Also you may need to take another physical so keep that in mind.

 

Go regional. It will keep you in familiar areas. Giving you more time to learn to drive. More opportunities to back up. Being in a smaller area also helps to learn time management. A run from Chicago to St. Louis is a lot easier to manage and learn form than your first load you have that runs from NYC to LA. Here a pro tip. All interstates look the same after a thousand times.