What I do after getting my CDL .... ???

Call Schneider... (just my opinion...it worked to get me started)

 

I would start filling out applications.

Something of a smart-alec response, but it does seem logical, right?

 

Either way they are going to make you go through school

 

Studying is one thing, but the CDL exam is a skill test. You will need to have some behind the wheel practice and a combination vehicle to take the exam. You can rent the equipment. At my school, they rent equipment for $300 to take the exam, if you are not a student. I will only have to pay the state CDL exam fee of $85 and not the $300 for the equipment. Then there's the cost of the retakes...

I would recommend a school or applying with a company that will train you. As far as I know, Schneider closed their training center here in Green Bay.

 

I agree with Baack, they are going to make you go through school and get your certification. Most companies will not even touch you, it's usually not the trucking company it's more the insurance company. If you get your CDL's on your own maybe some local company might give you a chance.

But I can tell you this much you will have two things working against you, one is no certification from a school and the other is were you live.

 

You will not be able to get a job with just a CDL without going to some sort of school. Especially in today's job market. Sorry to be a downer, but it's the truth.

 

I am attending a school and as I near the end I am becoming concerned about a job. Additionally, I have a BS/BA, 800 credit, no criminal, no drugs, no traffic and 35 years of continuous employment. If I can't get a nibble from anyone but Werner, the market is tough.

 

It's tough out there, I got my class a on january 30th 2009. I applied everywhere and NOONE was hiring. I tried Swift, jb hunt, ect all the driver mills and nothing, a hiring freeze. It took me 2 months after school and passing my test, I found a local b job. I make decent money now and home every night. Good luck on your quest but you need some wheel time before you take the test, I failed my 1st time but passed my 2nd. And thats after 6 months of school full time.

 

I got into it by working at a company that paves roads with chip seal, micro, and they were just getting back into asphalt. I started out holding a stop sign. They needed drivers and told me to get in a truck and go take my test, so I did. I got the cdl, worked for them a while longer, and moved on to a towing gig, and then Arrow hired me. I don't like the big companies though, so I left there and worked for a couple smaller ones, where I still am.

You don't have to have school, just the right set of circumstances.