Who says I have to go to driving school?

I have 2 tickets in the last 3 years. I have one prehire, hopefully another in a day or 2.

You need advise on how to market yourself.

Lots of it on this site.

I did 8 applications last Monday. 3 got back with me. 5 of them I did just to see what would happen.

My last experience was 1987, never over the road. I don't even mention it when applying...........

I have found locals in Nashville want to see 1 year OTR to hire. Gotta go OTR 3-6 months minimum.

 

Not only that but your CDL with all endorsements will soon be worthless unless you pay for a refresher course . But avoid the "transportation companies " anyway . You could check out moving companies but this is their slow season . Check with local power plants and see what company with vacuum trucks they use . Those companies hire CDL drivers often .
Towing companies are pretty busy . Maybe you could start on a smaller rollback and work your way up to bigger hooks .

 

the schools tell you very little I have had them send graduates to me with recent or many DUIs that are completely uninsurable and therefore unemployable but they told them they could get a job and took there $$$ anyway and they know better

 

The schools only basicly teach you what you need to know to get you cdl, the written, skills and road test, they are also usually 3rd party testers, so you learn in the truck you will test in. It is expensive, but, you get to grind there gears down and get learn the basics.
I think the real issue is getting good training. Most of the companies that hire and supposedly train new drivers, really don't teach you so much as get you time behind the wheel. For a lot of newbies who are getting into trucking as a job that probablly works fine.
For those, like myself, who are entering for a career and plan to become an owner operator, it just doesn't cut it. Financially I will be able to buy a truck and all to be an owner operator, but my training and experience hasn't shown me the roaps and how to be a successful o/o. You can only learn that from a successful o/o.

 

I'd have to ask why you'd want to be an O/O in this economy . No job or contract is secure . You're taking quite a financial risk and there are no great rewards . I know several O/O's . None are making near what they were a few years ago . Some have been running at a break even point or at slight losses for months . These are sharp businessmen with their own authority but their core customers are experiencing the loss od business others are and are shipping far less .
The best option for someone determined to be an O/O is to drive for a fleet owner leased to an expedite carrier . You have complete control of the truck and operate as an O/O would . Most of the trucks are straight trucks and they don't require the schooling and experience OTR carriers do . You could possibly get a team position with an experienced driver .

 

I hve written to my Congressman complaining about wasted taxpayer dollars through WIA nd asked for an investigation to see how many drivers actually have jobs 6 months to a year after graduating . School should not be accepting the applicants you describe . Schools that have a high percentage of unemployed graduates should become ineligible for funding . There is a school in Madisonville , KY that advertises 14 day training . The have a daily ad in the local paper and put ads in the help wanted classifieds . They are really ripping people off .

 

Still nothing on the supposed Federal legislation requiring accredited driving "school."

I take it nobody else found it either?

 

Its a proposed rule making at FMCSA. Not due out for awhile yet.

 

You can do it but you have to find a company that takes newbies. They will most likely put you with a trainer for a while until they are satisfied you can handle it by yourself. Unfortunatelty, most of those companies are not the most sought after by experienced drivers but then everyone starts somewhere.
There are a few. If you are in Florida,that's gonna be even tougher because many companies who used to hire out of Florida no longer take drivers from here. The recruiters will tell you they can't get you home. Most drivers won't wear that, so that's what it is.
Another thing is, many companies are getting very particular about who they hire based on their previous record IE. arrests,dUIs etc. Good luck with it though.