CDL Licensing

I am from Pennsylvania. If I go to another state to get my CDL (company sponsored training) am I good to work for a company out of PA?

I'd like to get licensed in a good training program, but also want to get it quickly. Am I reading that you can got to a company school, pay up-front (Workforce Reinvestment Act) then say good by and work for whomever...???

Thanks folks...

First of all I apologize it took a little longer for an answer.

There's several different things I want to talk about. First of all, company sponsored schools usually aren't much faster and they don't teach nearly as well as a private school would. You could technically "buy" training at a company sponsored school but they teach you the bare minimum to just get a CDL. If you struggle too much or if they think they are wasting their time with you then you're out. It's almost like a bootcamp.

With a private school they are much more thorough in their training. You're a customer to them. A good school will make sure that you're prepared for the future. They hardly take more time unless you need it. In a private school there's always less people. Take for example, at Centrals company sponsored school there is on average about 20 students every WEEK. You know how much each student gets of drive? Not even close to enough. In a private school there's much fewer students and its much more 1 on 1 time. The difference between the length of training is very slim and is nothing to even consider. You shouldn't want to rush a job like this, mistakes can get people killed.

So I think you're approaching this from the wrong angle. There's hardly any price difference if you're going to "buy" from a company sponsored school. You're literally going to pay the same amount of money but not going to get as much out of it. Only reason company sponsored schools are cheaper is because you're signing a contract and basically paying for the schooling with your time. If you're just going to pay full price then you're looking at roughly the same figures.

So my suggestion, if you just want a CDL as soon as possible and then you want to go do your own thing then go to a private school.

And another thing I want to talk about is how you're going to be getting a job after you have that CDL? Most local and even regional companies require experience before they'll even look at you. You'll struggle severely to find a job with not even a single day of OTR experience. Sure some people do find a job locally with no experience but those people are usually driving locally in the areas that no one else wants to drive in. The companies are so desperate in those areas to hire that they'll take you with no experience. I'm thinking, LA, NY, D.C. , Chicago. So if you do get a CDL then prepare for a struggle to find a local job.

Our suggestion would be to get a CDL in whichever way you want, whether it be company or private schooling and go work OTR for a year. Get a year of safe driving and you're a treasure chest to most companies and a whole new world of opportunities will open up.

That right there is the sort of advice I'm looking for -- the only problem is cost. Private schooling seemed the way to go, but, for example, how do most people balance working full time in a pre-trucking job while also attending training, let alone while being able to afford these crazy-high tuition costs? Any suggestions, insights?

That right there is the sort of advice I'm looking for -- the only problem is cost. Private schooling seemed the way to go, but, for example, how do most people balance working full time in a pre-trucking job while also attending training, let alone while being able to afford these crazy-high tuition costs? Any suggestions, insights?

I'm not sure what schools you have available in your area, but as an example, the 2 schools near me offer weekend and evening classes just for that reason. Another thing to consider when choosing a private school is pick a few that you would be in your ability to attend. Then call around to some of the trucking companies that you're interested in and see if they will hire graduates from A, B or C schools. The companies that I applied to have a list of PREFERRED schools. And of all the schools in Phoenix that train for a CDL , there was only ONE that all of those companies hire from. So guess which one I'm going to. It pays to take your time and do the right research. Some companies don't care but some do. Hope that helps!! Good luck and ask all the questions you want. There's plenty of great people on here with a ton of knowledge to pass around.

I am from Pennsylvania. If I go to another state to get my CDL (company sponsored training) am I good to work for a company out of PA?

I'd like to get licensed in a good training program, but also want to get it quickly. Am I reading that you can got to a company school, pay up-front (Workforce Reinvestment Act) then say good by and work for whomever...???

Thanks folks...

Will any of the trucking companies teach you if you pay them up front but will be working for a different company? Schneider, for example will take on rookies with no experience, but they don't have their own trucking school. Thanks.

Employment in trucking industries offers you to work locally, regionally and nationally. To participate in this training program you should be at least 21 years and should have passed the Department Of Transportation examination which includes physical, drug screening, a valid driver’s license and should maintain clean record for DUI/DWI. To get an eligible Commercial Driver’s license you need to attend seven weeks or 12 weekends of training and it training period includes driving certifications, road and safety belt training, log books, skid control and recovery, winter season driving, accident procedure, railroad rage, and work safety. On road training consists of practical sessions in city, rural, night, and mountain driving with and without a load. Training also includes current carrier safety regulations - entry level driving. Training concludes with students the CDL examination.

You pretty much quit your job if you're going to training. The schooling is very demanding and needs your full commitment. You can't learn if you're always tired and you can't be a safe driver when you're always fatigued. I was in your position before. I wanted to go to school but couldn't afford it without keeping my full time night job. My plan was to work full time 9pm-6am and then do my schooling during the day. Yeah, that failed miserable.

All company sponsored schools will teach you. You could just quit as soon as you get your CDL and pay the contract cost. However, in some contracts the company has the right to revoke that CDL that they got you so if you attend school and get your CDL then immediately quit - they could charge you and take away the CDL. Central Ref makes it so that they can revoke your CDL if the contract isn't met. All up to them.

So you could do it. But it seems a little dangerous. If you're that interested in working for Schneider then just go to a private school and pay it off in small monthly payments - finance it. Most schools will finance your training. Trust me, you'll be making 20 times more that first year. That payment will seem like chump change especially if you don't have any other bills to pay like rent.

You pretty much quit your job if you're going to training. The schooling is very demanding and needs your full commitment. You can't learn if you're always tired and you can't be a safe driver when you're always fatigued. I was in your position before. I wanted to go to school but couldn't afford it without keeping my full time night job. My plan was to work full time 9pm-6am and then do my schooling during the day. Yeah, that failed miserable.

All company sponsored schools will teach you. You could just quit as soon as you get your CDL and pay the contract cost. However, in some contracts the company has the right to revoke that CDL that they got you so if you attend school and get your CDL then immediately quit - they could charge you and take away the CDL. Central Ref makes it so that they can revoke your CDL if the contract isn't met. All up to them.

So you could do it. But it seems a little dangerous. If you're that interested in working for Schneider then just go to a private school and pay it off in small monthly payments - finance it. Most schools will finance your training. Trust me, you'll be making 20 times more that first year. That payment will seem like chump change especially if you don't have any other bills to pay like rent.

I'm not try to pull a fast one on them. I would be up front and tell them I just want taught. It's not like I'm getting something for nothing... they still get paid their tuition costs...

If I get this Workforce Reinvestment Act $, paying them won't be a problem ...

The companies teach in half the time. If I was still getting unemployment $ I wouldn't be in such a hurry...

Thanks.

Am I reading that you can got to a company school, pay up-front (Workforce Reinvestment Act) then say good by and work for whomever...???

That's really not the best way to approach it. Not every company is going to accept training from other companies so don't assume you can go to one company, get your training, and then go work elsewhere. It may or may not work that way.

If you have the money up front then go to a private Truck Driving School. Don't go to a company-sponsored program for your training.

Listen, that first year of your career it matters very little which company you choose to work for. If you don't have the money for private schooling then go to a company-sponsored school, get your CDL , and work for them until the obligation is up. Then go elsewhere if you'd prefer. The obligation is short...maybe 8-12 months. No big deal.

If you have the money for private schooling then go that route.

I'm gonna say this though - I've seen tons of people come into trucking desperate to make money as quickly as possible and it doesn't often work out well. The problem is the early stages of your career may be slow going. The checks are small and you're in training so you won't often be running as hard as a veteran driver would be. People wind up stressing out, getting in arguments with the company because things aren't moving quickly enough, and things get to be a mess. Before you know it you're on a bus headed home. So just be aware of that. There isn't much you can do the first few months of your career to speed things up and get those checks rolling in. You just have to do your best to be patient and roll with it.

Hi Lvis, I am just finishing up classes at Garrett Community College in Grantsville Md. using the W.I.A program and all has went well. I am working during the week and going to class on the weekend. one of the things I found out at least about West Virginia is the W.I.A. program has certain schools that you can attend. I don't think they will use a company sponsored school. It does take a while to get the money and they do give you a list of schools to choose from. On my list there were no company sponsored schools. They were all private. The license you get is good for all states as long as you are 21 or older. There is a school in Clarksburg Wv. that will put you through in four weeks but it is through the week and if you live more then 63 miles away they will give you a room for the week as long as you are attending school. its called Pittsburgh aeronauticle institude if you are interested. Good Luck