Which Company, What to do to prepare?

My first driving job was with Stevens Transport. I didn't use their CDL school (I had family help in paying for a 3rd party school here in TN and Stevens reimbursed the cost over an 18 mo period), but their OTR training program is first rate. It's a little longer than most (1 week orientation, 5 weeks OTR with trainer, 1 more week orientation, 3 more weeks OTR with a second trainer) but it was definatly worth it. I learned not only how to drive, but how to drive safely, which is the most important aspect of a drivers job. Safety is emphasized over all else in their training program and I still use these fundamentals every day that I'm behind the wheel. I've since moved on to a different company which gets me home more often, but I've never regretted my choice of Stevens for my first driving job. They do have a company-run CDL school in Dallas, but I do not know the details of it, as I did not attend it. If you have any specific questions, feel free to PM means I will answer as best I can. Good luck to you in your pursuit of CDL.

 

I recommend Prime flatbed based on what you posted. A good solid year of flatbed experience will open many doors to high paying jobs. Get all the endorsements when you can; tanker/hazmat plus a passport & TWIC.

Put your location on your profile; we need to know which hiring area you are in.

 

DITTO!

Put your location on your profile; we need to know which hiring area you are in.
I can't say it better!!!

 

I wuldnt go to prime i run flatbed and they dont havet he vest name with a lot of shipers and my old tranner started with stevens and he said it sucked and spent a lot of time in new york, almost any big company has their own school but i think wuld be better to get a loan for the school and just do the reimbursement program then your not stuck at a place you dont like till your contract is up.

 

Who said you cant make money first year. I getting .35 cpm with Shaffer. In the time I have been here each week (except home time) has been 3k miles a week. You do the math. Plus dentention pay, nyc pay, etc

 

Thank you for this insightful critique.

 

Lol anytime i didnt really pay attention to what he didnt like i didnt care but they run a lot in new york and thats a place i wuldnt want to drive in. Read reviews about stevens theirs not very many good ones.

 

Get your state's CMV manual from the DMV. Study it. Take the test as soon as you can. Then you'll have a CDL learners permit.

Buy a Rand McNally road atlas for truck drivers ($25). Study it also.

You will now be smarter than your average bear.

Read up on the forums. Use grains of salt.

Go forth and fester, my son.

 

I would say stay away from the company sponsored schools unless you have no other choice, and by all means don't get a loan to go to school. There is no point in getting into debt just to be a truck driver, and you don't need to sign up with some company for a year or more just to get your CDL. Search for "WIA Grant" in your area, its offered in all 50 states and will fund your tuition to a private truck school where you will get better training, lifetime job placement, no loan to pay back, and no commitment to any company. Takes about 4 to 6 weeks to apply and get approved, really easy stuff but once your done you will have a voucher for school and you will owe nothing. Once you are done with school you are free to apply with any company you want, and getting your endorsements will be even better for you.

This forum is FULL of drivers who did the company sponsored school route and now are locked into a contract with one of the big carriers and making pitiful cpm and nothing they can do about it. Dont be another slave to the CDL mills, do it on your own and debt free.