Want to turn Class A learner's permit into CDL. Any advice for the following delimma?

short of going to work for someone with company sponsored training or paying for school about the only other way is to find or know someone with a truck to teach you and take you in for your test. the last option is a tough nut to crack. some will go to work for a farmer and learn and get there cdl that way. others have a family member or a close friend that is a o/o. most large company's require a new cdl holder to have a certificate of completion from a school. let alone insurance requirments may hender someone you know from being able to help you.

Now that being said. I never went to school. and after you have a couple years of experience you wont be asked how you got your cdl or be asked for a certificate from a school ect. so it is possible but very hard if not impossible without knowing someone to help you out. I know I had to lean on some people to help me out.

 

Your problem is getting a truck for the road test as you probably know. Maybe you can advertise under Transportation on Craigslist in the appropriate city for someone to take you for the road tests. Maybe pay some local owner operator to take you? Some big cities are now renting trucks with a driver just for the road test. Maybe there is one in Albuquerque?

One problem is many places want training at a certified school. But it can be done without. It's just harder the way you are doing it.

There are trucking companies that train and let you work off your training. It might take 6-12 months to get them paid off. But that means time away from home. It is possible to do your online course from the road during your free time.

 

What they said. ^^^

 

I edited my post. I basically said that you can do it without school, all you have to do it rent a truck and take the test. The driving part is your problem. Either you can do it or not. Unless you have a friend or something that will take you with them and teach you, kinda how your parents did when you were learning to drive a car.

Schools however, they are all sorts of varying costs and lengths. Some schools cost 5g's and kick you out after 3 weeks. Some junior college and trade school classes could last a couple months, be less than half the price, and give you a heck of a lot more instruction. I went to a 3 week school that cost me a year of my life with a crap company, and it only cost me $1400 (taken out of my paycheck). I would recommend a college course though, as it's cheaper and you get a lot more instruction and hands on experience.

 

How long ago did you apply with Budweiser?Sometimes it takes awhile.Since they do train and it's local,why don't you take a drive there so they know you're very serious about driving for them.But then again when Bud says they routinely train,she could mean they train someone that already has a CDL.Your medical card is just a card if you start driving,chances are you're have to retake your physical for insurance reasons.You may have to go with a starter company for your cdl.Which means you'll have to sign a yr contract and if you quit before the yr is up you could have an outstnding bill to pay and that company will make your life hell if you don't keep up on your payments.Which means that would go on your dac as unhireable or the company could take you to court and get your CDL taken awway.

 

Eastern New Mexico University has a course. Call 575-624-7376. Schools may have other financial aid. I found my local college and I got grants that made the school cost me $250. Plus they know the local companies. The instructor may be able to pick up the phone and call the head of HR and talk about you. I do not know that school but it is worth a phone call. Just tell them about your situation and ask what they can do to help. A univesity will not try to take advantage of you like a private truck driving school.