Would you do this?

yea i know a guy who did this, is your dad an owner operator? if not i believe your dad will be liable for you so if you got in an accident in a company truck he will take the blame for it

and also im not sure if your CDL permit is valid in any state other then yours.....not sure, im going through the same thing right now, got my permit

good luck man

 

I'd give the companies you'd consider working for a call and see what they have to say about hiring a licensed rookie. Most smaller companies are way more understanding about it than the swifts and werners of the world. Find a company where you can actually sit down and talk with the guy who owns the trucks and you'll probably find a company that will give a rookie a chance.

The big companies seem to think CDL schools are the only way, but thats not always the case.

 

Take your Dad's training. You'll learn more from him than most schools since the schools are there to get the students their CDL. The bigger companies like for you to go to their school and they have pushed the insurance industry into believing that CDL schools actually teach a person how to drive. Which they don't.

You could get all your training from your Dad to get your CDL and then when you get a job you can better yourself by going to a truck driving defensive driving course like Smith. I would hire you faster than someone just out of school if you were taught that way along with other courses.

 

The bottom line is, The big trucking companies (through contributions etc..)pretty much control the schools, and the Insurance companies control the trucking companies. Most, if not all regulated Trucking companies because of Insurance requirements and regulations are not going to hire anyone now days that can not provide a certificate of completion from a certified driver training program. These usually consist of (I think) # 180 hrs of instruction etc...However, If you think you have an ace in the hole so-to-speak, Then know this.Technically, all DOT requires is that you can complete and pass the required written and (here's the catch) driving or road test.The written part is easy to accomplish. You study, then simply go down to your local DMV or drivers license office (or what ever they call it where you live)and take the test. But most states no longer give the driving test themselves any more.They have begun to contract it out to (you guessed it)the truck driving schools. Who usually charge a few hundred (or more) dollars to test you.The cost also depends on whether you have your own vehicle or not.But,even if you have your own,it has to pass their inspection and requirements and you have to pass the driving skills test to their satisfaction. Most schools will of course sudjest that you at least attend an abbreviated course (that they just happen to offer)to make sure that you are ready. There may be ways around this, But,if your state no longer does the road test,It seems that one way or another,The schools are gonna getcha.Wish you all the Luck,keep us posted.PS: When I started driving,there were no "Truck Driver Schools" only the school of "Hard Knocks".

 

You said thy were a good company,but they let your loan go into default and screw up your credit?And it sounds like you meant that they fired a bunch of you who had school loans, that sounds odd.

 

Whoa, this is the first I've heard of that. What states are doing that?

Isnt that a bit of a conflict of interests when the CDL schools who get paid based on how many CDL's they pass out is the ones doing the tests to determine if people will get that CDL? They might as well just start selling CDL's.

 

Here in GA the state still does the test. Some schools are certified as off site examiners only if they meet the states "standards."

 

Got our CDL's 2 years ago at a school (with my wife), it cost us plenty. Wish I would have had the option you have! Go for it!!!!

Study, learn. You can always go to a school anytime you think you need too, but you might not have the chance to get it done this way again.

my .02

 

I am getting my permit this end of june/ beginning July and will learn this from my friend who is an o/o. I have been helping him on his truck I will learn on (Pete 379 EXHD). Per him, If i can drive a 379, I can drive anything. Im really excited as a lot of people have been doubting me.

One of the reasons I am doing is to prepare me for traffic, all the situations newbies face. In addition, my friend has been patient and has shown me how to lower the landing gear, check the tires, lights, change fluids, check fluids, hook up the trailer lines. However, I am getting a grant to go to a school in Orlando. After that I might work for him if his insurance will take me.

KH