Profile For Johnny G.

Ok sounds great. So who would you guys choose now CRST, CR England, Schneider, Prime, XPO, Wilson

Why does one need a terminal close by? Totally irrelevant when choosing a company.

From what I saw on YouTube it’s so you don’t have to drive 2-4 hours home.

Since last Friday I’ve been sending out resumes to these mega carriers that offer CDL instead of actually typing out their forms. All the big ones I sent out the recruiters called me and I’ve gotten denied only by swift because I got a ticket last May going to the Grand Canyon for failure to stop at a stop sign.

From watching YouTube many people have said to pick a company that has a terminal that’s close to home. That leaves me with CR England & CRST.

Can anyone shed any light on these two companies. Pay isn’t one of my big issues because any industry as the new guy you get smoked on pay. I’m more looking for what I will learn and experience, how are the instructors / mentors?, and if I get my CDL are we able to choose the mentors? For example can I get someone with 5-10 year experience and a military vet. How are the trucks? How often can I drive? Will they teach you everything like chaining up tires, maintenance, etc…Will they send me to downtown LA or NYC as a rookie (don’t really want to go into downtown driving a monster as a rookie with barely any experience)

On Thursday morning, I went to get my DOT medical exam, and got my two-year card. That was exciting in and of itself, and I decided immediately after to go the DMV to see if I could take the written for my CLP or had to make an appointment. I was able to do it right then and there. I did the three standard tests (Gen Knowledge, Air Brakes, Combination Vehicles) and the Tankers endorsement, as that's the only truck-driving-related one Illinois allows on the permit.

I've read on here that the High Road program is the only thing you need to study to pass the permit, and I can attest to that! This is all very exciting for me, feels more real now! In a few weeks I will start the application process using the link here and any other companies I might like if they're not included on it.

My heartfelt thanks to Brett for making this amazing site, to all the knowledgeable contributors here, and for creating the HRTP that allowed me to confidently breeze through the written!

Congrats. I got mine on Friday. The TT high road quizzes made the tests a breeze.

Congrats on the permit Johnny!

Thank you

I got my CDL Permit today with all the endorsements except hazmat. I started to apply the mega carriers. (Swift, Schneider, CRST, Knight, CR England). I also went to that link Mrs Anne put where you can apply to a bunch of companies. From that list I got a email from TT saying I only qualify with CRST.

Swift contacted me 30 minutes right after. The recruiter told me to try again in November because I got a ticket in May.

Any other carriers I can try where they teach me to drive and get a CDL and then I can drive for that company? I live in Fontana, CA. Swift was actually my first choice because I know they have a training center here and a terminal but I’ll go to any just to get my foot in the door.

Johnny, I am also in the preparation stages and no expert, but I think it might be state-specific. I was hoping to get all the endorsements before heading off for company sponsored training but according to the Illinois DMV website, the only endorsements they allow on the CLP is Tanker (N), Passenger (P), and Schoolbus (S). I'd recommend checking the CA DMV site.

Not sure if this link will work, but just to show what I'm going off of...

https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/drivers/drivers_license/CDL/cdl.html#:~:text=Tanker%20(N)%2C%20Passenger%20(,temporary%20CLP%20will%20be%20issued.

Wishing you luck as well, Sandman! Your state is one of those with some 'oddities' as well as Cali; BobcatBob has some great posts on the IL facts. Johnny, I've reached out to a few of our 'Cali' guys on TT... just to clarify y'all.

Best to ya both! (Sandman, UPDATE as it goes; it's sure been a long time runnin, for you!)

~ Anne ~

This helps, too: Steps to getting your CDLP and more; FMCSA.

Thanks Mrs. Anne, I think I’m ready to go take the CDL Permit test next week. Doing the DOT physical tomorrow. Read the DMV manual from front to back 3x already and now taking all those quizzes you posted on TT.

Johnny, I am also in the preparation stages and no expert, but I think it might be state-specific. I was hoping to get all the endorsements before heading off for company sponsored training but according to the Illinois DMV website, the only endorsements they allow on the CLP is Tanker (N), Passenger (P), and Schoolbus (S). I'd recommend checking the CA DMV site.

Not sure if this link will work, but just to show what I'm going off of...

https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/drivers/drivers_license/CDL/cdl.html#:~:text=Tanker%20(N)%2C%20Passenger%20(,temporary%20CLP%20will%20be%20issued.

That’s what I was thinking of getting all the endorsements but didn’t want to study if the DMV or the trucking academy/company didn’t have certain trucks.

For the CDL permit do I need to know all the endorsements as well such as tankers, buses, doubles & triples? I know they test you on general knowledge, air brakes, and combination.

Thanks in advance.

As a U.S. citizen weren't you required to file income taxes for many of those years. Those records can be used to verify where you were and what you were doing.

I forgot about filing for taxes. I got all years except 2019. Hopefully that’ll help when I do apply.

Also what do you guys suggest on when I should start applying? Now or after I take the test and get my permit?

Johnny;

Considering this: Steps to obtaining a CDL, per FMCSA rules~

Many would agree, after. You'll need your DOT Medical Card before your CDLP; and be sure if you DON'T go company paid training, that your chosen school meets the new(er) ELDT rules and training criteria, of 02/07/22. CDL permits get stale, yet so do job applications. It's a type of 'dance' you need to coordinate. Pre hire letters are illustrated below; might be of help understanding the process, also.

• Article: Understanding Pre-Hire Letters: The What, Why, And How Of This Important Step
• Trucker's Wiki: "Pre-Hire Letters"
• Forum Topics Tagged "CDL Pre-Hire Letters"

The ELDT I mentioned above, ensures that a company (which they DO) or a school, which needs to be accredited, comply with the following:

Entry Level Driver Training criteria~

Wish you the best, Johnny! Listen to some of Brett's podcasts, as you have time.

Very sound advice, within this thread!

~ Anne ~

ps: Folks that want my podcasts, usually just call me, hahaha!

Thanks Mrs. Anne, I’ll go get my permit first. Already read through the DMV CDL manual past halfway. Once I read it from end to end 2x then I should be ready.

I just listened to Brett’s podcast the past hour. It’s great information and I’ll be binge listening to all his stuff.