What do you recomend?

Hurricaneppers, I have already posted this on another thread, but just copied it here, so you wouldnt have to search for it...

When I wanted to start driving, I approached the company of my choice to see if there was a way around paying for driving school. The terminal manager agreed that if I worked on the dock on a regular shift (driving forklift loading and offloading trailers) that I could learn to drive on my days off if I could find a regular driver willing to train me.
I did this, and the guy who offered to train me was like a godsend. We gelled instantly (we had a rapport before he offered), and he was patient, firm and fun.
I drove with him about 2 days a week, for 7 months before taking the test. At this stage I was the lead hand on the weekend shift, and I spoke to my dock supervisor to see if it would be possible to do my test using their equipment (of course it would be OK, because they will be getting a driver out of the deal), he said yes, and I booked the test.
Once I got my CDL it was just a matter of waiting for a driving position to open up, and now I am on the road every day, and home every night.
Its a start, and I know that if you are wanting to go OTR that you will probably want something different immediately. However, for me it was a way to get my CDL, and now guaranteed experience. Once I have a year or two behind me, I then have the freedom to choose to either stay or to pursue something different in the trucking industry.
Working on the dock allowed me to earn a living, so I wasnt getting myself into a hole, and it gave me quite an insight into the whole trucking industry!
This option may not work for you, but at least you know there are other options out there to just forking over quantities of money to pay a trainer for minimal hours and minimal actual experience. I got to back into revolting places, with my trainer in the cab. I got to experience exactly what it is that these truckers do on a daily basis, and knew exactly what it was that I was getting myself into. It wasnt a shock when I went out on my first day alone in the truck... other than the initial fear of not having my trainer sitting next to me like a guardian angel!
Whatever your choice is, I hope it works for you and that you pursue your dream!

 

Talk to your local employment office about WIA services. They will often pay for part or all of your truck driving school depending on your situation. Be very careful about going to a company school where you have to pay it off by working for them for a long period of time. You can walk away owing more money than you earned if you stop working too early.