Hello

If you are not wanting to be AWAY from Family, or they can't handle YOU being away TRUCKING ISN'T For you!!! May I ask WHY you want to get into this field?

Wow, even though they have you doing a 48 state thingy. you didn't have to go to far from home. did you have to stay on the road for weeks at a time? so, you got your cdl through Swift company? I would hate to leave my family, if one have to stay out on the road for 3 or 4 weeks at a time.

I want to be a truck driver for financial freedom. not having a boss in my ear, nagging all the time. more money, also, I wouldn't mind driving to one state, then being able to home, type of routes

Maybe cdl b may be an option? you have a chose of bus or truck driver. ive read that they pay you to obtain an cdl-b license? is that true? then, maybe, I can have home time, without going otr 6 or 7 days?

Fred has dreams:

I want to be a truck driver for financial freedom. not having a boss in my ear, nagging all the time. more money, also, I wouldn't mind driving to one state, then being able to home, type of routes

You might obtain your financial freedom of you stick with it. But you will have a boss.

How do you keep from being boss-nagged? Drive your dispatches. Don't waste time. Trucking is performance based, not per-hour, and you need to be the self starter to get it done. That will make your boss happy.

Maybe cdl b may be an option? you have a chose of bus or truck driver. ive read that they pay you to obtain an cdl-b license? is that true? then, maybe, I can have home time, without going otr 6 or 7 days?

Straight truck is a good local, home daily job. Paid by the hour. My brother drives a school bus and likes it. A tour bus driver told me he earns $100/day, gets the same hotels his guests have, As well as tips and spiffs from where he stops the bus.

Up to you.

First, I am in Charlotte, NC an I am not a driver. I have been researching this career for a couple of years now. Just so happens that after reading this thread I found something out. Had a delivery at work from ODFL. I asked the driver how long he had been driving, he said 12 years. I asked where he started and he said with ODFL. He said he went to one of the two CDL schools here in town and said he was hired by ODFL right out of class. He said one other guy who went through the other local school was the only other person he ever saw get hired by them right out of school. He said they mostly hire drivers from within. For example dock workers and office workers who express an interest in driving. You may want to check around your local area. Also, in NC once you have your medical and CDL permit you can take your CDL test a minimum of 14 days later. All you would need is a truck and someone with a CDL in the passenger seat. One other option is there is a company in Texas who will rent you a truck and help you pass the test. They are on YouTube. I don't think it would be easy finding a job going that route.

As far as seeking financial freedom Google Dave Ramsey.

First, I am in Charlotte, NC an I am not a driver. I have been researching this career for a couple of years now. Just so happens that after reading this thread I found something out. Had a delivery at work from ODFL. I asked the driver how long he had been driving, he said 12 years. I asked where he started and he said with ODFL. He said he went to one of the two CDL schools here in town and said he was hired by ODFL right out of class. He said one other guy who went through the other local school was the only other person he ever saw get hired by them right out of school. He said they mostly hire drivers from within. For example dock workers and office workers who express an interest in driving. You may want to check around your local area. Also, in NC once you have your medical and CDL permit you can take your CDL test a minimum of 14 days later. All you would need is a truck and someone with a CDL in the passenger seat. One other option is there is a company in Texas who will rent you a truck and help you pass the test. They are on YouTube. I don't think it would be easy finding a job going that route.

As far as seeking financial freedom Google Dave Ramsey.

Big Scott, you may have your wires crossed here. Yes, the LTL companies will hire right out of school. 6 String is a great example and has a thread about his journey. Or they will train dock workers which is also an option.

As far as getting your CDL on your own, that is going to be a problem with any major company. All the major companies want to see a training program of at least 160 hours. This is also on its way to being a federal mandate.

The companies that hire new CDL holders are taking a huge risk, both financially and insurance liability. I believe I read that it cost between $15-20000 to train a new driver. With the turnover rate being what it is, this is a HUGE investment on their part. Also, the insurance rates on newbies are sky high, which is why it's the mega carriers that are the ones hiring new drivers.

You may be able to find a mom and pop company that's willing to hire a new driver without formal training. But it's going to be very, very difficult. And you put yourself and that shiny new CDL at risk without proper training and coaching from a mentor.

Yes, you can get your CDL by borrowing or renting a truck. But you will run into major problems getting a job.

Big Scott, Chickie is 100% correct especially about getting the CDL on your own. Most companies won't be able to hire you do to insurance liability.

Take a look at these links:

Paid CDL Training Programs

Truck Driving School Listings

• Article Category: Choosing A Truck Driving School
• Trucker's Career Guide: Choosing A Truck Driving School
• Forum Topics Tagged "Choosing A Truck Driving School"

I mean, being without a boss in my ear for the full 12 hrs in great. I'm aware that I still will have a boss. sounds like a better way to go, with bus or straight truck thingy huh?

Fred has dreams:

I want to be a truck driver for financial freedom. not having a boss in my ear, nagging all the time. more money, also, I wouldn't mind driving to one state, then being able to home, type of routes

You might obtain your financial freedom of you stick with it. But you will have a boss.

How do you keep from being boss-nagged? Drive your dispatches. Don't waste time. Trucking is performance based, not per-hour, and you need to be the self starter to get it done. That will make your boss happy.

Maybe cdl b may be an option? you have a chose of bus or truck driver. ive read that they pay you to obtain an cdl-b license? is that true? then, maybe, I can have home time, without going otr 6 or 7 days?

Straight truck is a good local, home daily job. Paid by the hour. My brother drives a school bus and likes it. A tour bus driver told me he earns $100/day, gets the same hotels his guests have, As well as tips and spiffs from where he stops the bus.

Up to you.

I think I'm going for a cdl b license. going thru schools buses, they say the license is free. i'll like to try to drive a straight truck.

First, I am in Charlotte, NC an I am not a driver. I have been researching this career for a couple of years now. Just so happens that after reading this thread I found something out. Had a delivery at work from ODFL. I asked the driver how long he had been driving, he said 12 years. I asked where he started and he said with ODFL. He said he went to one of the two CDL schools here in town and said he was hired by ODFL right out of class. He said one other guy who went through the other local school was the only other person he ever saw get hired by them right out of school. He said they mostly hire drivers from within. For example dock workers and office workers who express an interest in driving. You may want to check around your local area. Also, in NC once you have your medical and CDL permit you can take your CDL test a minimum of 14 days later. All you would need is a truck and someone with a CDL in the passenger seat. One other option is there is a company in Texas who will rent you a truck and help you pass the test. They are on YouTube. I don't think it would be easy finding a job going that route.

As far as seeking financial freedom Google Dave Ramsey.

Big Scott, you may have your wires crossed here. Yes, the LTL companies will hire right out of school. 6 String is a great example and has a thread about his journey. Or they will train dock workers which is also an option.

As far as getting your CDL on your own, that is going to be a problem with any major company. All the major companies want to see a training program of at least 160 hours. This is also on its way to being a federal mandate.

The companies that hire new CDL holders are taking a huge risk, both financially and insurance liability. I believe I read that it cost between $15-20000 to train a new driver. With the turnover rate being what it is, this is a HUGE investment on their part. Also, the insurance rates on newbies are sky high, which is why it's the mega carriers that are the ones hiring new drivers.

You may be able to find a mom and pop company that's willing to hire a new driver without formal training. But it's going to be very, very difficult. And you put yourself and that shiny new CDL at risk without proper training and coaching from a mentor.

Yes, you can get your CDL by borrowing or renting a truck. But you will run into major problems getting a job.

Yes chickie and G-Town. I agree. I was sharing what was told to me that day and info from the NC DMV wwbsite. The best way I have found to get your CDL-A is either through a "private" trucking school or local community college and then getting at least one year of OTR experience or go through a company sponsored program and drive for that company for at least one year.