What Are The Pros & Cons Of Getting Your CDL Without Schooling?

Pros: Nothing

Cons: good luck getting a decent job (or anyjob at all)




American Trucker

 

School doesn't dictate whether or not you get a job, considering some bottom feeders will hire drivers with a regular license.

 

it sure does, the trucking industry is run by insurance companies, most companies insurance companies wont cover you unless you went to school, even the companies that hire people without a CDL.....they send you to a school or THEIR school before you get a CDL.....




American Trucker

 

Again, school does nothing in this retrospect. All CDL mills care about is your ability to get a CDL regardless of the amount of hours it takes. If you go to a mill school or go on your own, you're going to learn the same amount of information. The only reason companies care about what school you went to (if any) is tuition reimbursement. Insurance requirements vary greatly from company to company. I don't think any company requirements need to to have x amount of hours at a school. It would be listed on their website if they did require it.

If you have a valid CDL, med card, and clean backround, there is absolutely no reason why you cannot be hired as a student driver. All the company needs to do is give you a road evaluation.

 

Pros: I didn't spend money or waste time with school or "training".

Cons: I am a better driver than anyone coming out of one of those "schools". (Oh wait, that's a pro!)

 

If you have someone that has agreed to give you a chance without school then great, go for it.
The issue tends to be insurance requirements. This is why most smaller carriers cannot hire drivers with less than 3 years experience. Or hire drivers under the age of 25 without 2 years experience.
It use to be not as big an issue as it is these days. But it has gotten more needed to have that piece of paper the past 10 years or so. And with CSA it has gotten to be more of an issue.

A rule making on driver training is due out this year. And they will be having listening sessions once they put out the proposed rule. This has been in the works for like 5 years and kept being put off.
Once they make the rule it will be necessary to go to a school to get your CDL. Even though what the schools look like I believe will be altered greatly from what they are now.
Use to be that all schools were at least 8 weeks long, and all were accredited.
Meaning that you could get federal student loans etc.
This is how I went to school 20 years ago. Now even that school has lowered it's time down some.

So if you are looking to get your CDL without a school. Or to get thru school in less than 4-6 weeks. You had better get it this year. My guess is that the new standards will be out sometime next year. And god only knows how badly we need them.

 

I got my first driving job when the boss flipped me the keys to the rig and said "go uptown and get your cdl. Might want to clean that passenger seat up so it doesn't get grease on her dress !"

But these days you need to understand CSA points, it's a good idea to understand the different agencies FMCSA, USDOT, etc.. A good school will teach you how to inspect your truck just like the cops do it. Sure you might be the best mechanic in five counties, but do you know what a state cop in Kentucky is looking for when he goes under your truck on a creeper ? a school should teach you how to do logs the right way. how to drive for safety and fuel economy. There's quite a bit to know to be just a dumb trucker these days. And really the main thing for a long and prosperous career is to keep your record clean.