Wanting To Get My CDL

Topic 14245 | Page 1

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Carla C.'s Comment
member avatar

I have just been laid off from my job after 30 yrs and I want to get my CDL but the different CDL training schools and different trucking companies are really overwhelming. Can any of you ladies help me out and give input on where to start for a female? Do you have insight already on whether private school or company is better? I have been wasting time time trying to make the right choice. Please help me out

CDL:

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:

  • Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
  • Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Lynn B.'s Comment
member avatar

I have just been laid off from my job after 30 yrs and I want to get my CDL but the different CDL training schools and different trucking companies are really overwhelming. Can any of you ladies help me out and give input on where to start for a female? Do you have insight already on whether private school or company is better? I have been wasting time time trying to make the right choice. Please help me out

I guess it depends on where you are. I got lucky having a decent company that sponsors a school that is affordable.

CDL:

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:

  • Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
  • Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
C. S.'s Comment
member avatar

Hi Lynn and welcome to Trucking Truth.

I went to private school, but many others go to company school. It's really a matter of choice and what you think will work best for you. The good news about company sponsored programs is that many of them are no money down, and will deduct tuition payments from you once you begin working for them. Some are even free as long as you work there for a year or two. Start by reading Becoming A Truck Driver: The Raw Truth About Truck Driving. It's completely free, and gives a lot of insight.

Next, check out these resources:

and take a look at Company-Sponsored Training Programs to help you figure out where you'll go to get your CDL. But before you pack up and head off for school, get started on the High Road Training Program. It'll prepare you for the written exam and give you a head start in school, as there's a ton of informatikn to wrap your head around.

Good luck, and keep us updated. If you have any more questions feel free to ask.

CDL:

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:

  • Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
  • Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.

Company-sponsored Training:

A Company-Sponsored Training Program is a school that is owned and operated by a trucking company.

The schooling often requires little or no money up front. Instead of paying up-front tuition you will sign an agreement to work for the company for a specified amount of time after graduation, usually around a year, at a slightly lower rate of pay in order to pay for the training.

If you choose to quit working for the company before your year is up, they will normally require you to pay back a prorated amount of money for the schooling. The amount you pay back will be comparable to what you would have paid if you went to an independently owned school.

Company-sponsored training can be an excellent way to get your career underway if you can't afford the tuition up front for private schooling.

OOS:

When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
C. S.'s Comment
member avatar

I said Lynn but meant Carla, clearly I'm not good with names. Ha!
Carla C.'s Comment
member avatar

Thanks C.S. , I have already started on my testing here and seem to be doing pretty good so far. Seems the corporate world is not looking for someone with experience anymore. I have about 5 weeks left to make my decision before my severance runs out.
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