Looking For A Truck Driving Job After CDL Training
Topic 1479 | Page 4
I would think it varies from company to company depending on many factors. What does the company CDL school pay their instructors, how long is their program, how many trucks do they dedicate to the school, and so on.
I went with private CDL school because I had the cash to pay for it and I'd rather have the option of working anywhere instead of feeling like I had to stay with XYZ company because they paid for my CDL and I'd have to pay them back if I quit.
I don't think companies view drivers who obtained a CDL privately as serious or focused or anything. They probably think of it more as "Oh man... what bad habits did that CDL school instructor teach this person that we have to unteach!" CDL school gives you like 1% of what you need to be a driver, so in that respect company schools are training you immediately to be a driver from day one. In private CDL school you are the paying customer and they tell you how good of a driver you are. In company training they are paying YOU to be there and they want you to become a competent driver ASAP so you can make them money.
Thanks for the thoughtful reply. I’m surprised at your reply but it makes sense it seems from a company’s business standpoint. Thanks again.
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.
SAP:
Substance Abuse Professional
The Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) is a person who evaluates employees who have violated a DOT drug and alcohol program regulation and makes recommendations concerning education, treatment, follow-up testing, and aftercare.
Hey Brett, can I change my email address here to my new one? Thanks.
Send me an email to brett@truckingtruth.com from your new email address. I'll change it in the system and let you know when it's done. Then you'll be able to login using the new one. I don't want to change it without you knowing when - otherwise you might go to login and find it unexpectedly doesn't work.
Logically you would think that having obtained your CDL on your own you would be displaying initiative, dedication, seriousness, and strong desire to become a trucker as well as making a substantial cash investment to back it all up. It seems these are all qualities that a company would be interested in. What do you think, any truth to this in the real world of trucking? Thanks.
When you say "obtain your CDL on your own" do you mean without attending an actual school? Because trucking companies definitely frown on that. They need to know you have had legitimate training. Their insurance companies require it. Both private Truck Driving Schools and Company-Sponsored Training Programs are considered legitimate training.
initiative, dedication, seriousness, and strong desire to become a trucker as well as making a substantial cash investment to back it all up. It seems these are all qualities that a company would be interested in. What do you think, any truth to this in the real world of trucking?
Honestly, the only things companies look at when it comes to new drivers coming out of school is their work history, criminal record, driving record, and the schooling they attended. If you graduated from a legitimate school and your background qualifies you for a job, you'll get in. But they don't do any kind of rigorous interviewing process to dig deeper than that into your personality and such. Some places will use written personality tests you have to pass, but that's not affected by the method you used to get your CDL.
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.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
Thanks Brett, I meant going to a private school “on your own,” but you answered my question. Thanks.
I’ll send you my new email address so I can be up to date. Thank you.
Hi all my friend has a misdemeanor charge , was never arrested for it ( a lawnmower) that his friend took and put in his suv and he never knew it , happened less then a yr ago , will trucking companies hire him?
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I would think it varies from company to company depending on many factors. What does the company CDL school pay their instructors, how long is their program, how many trucks do they dedicate to the school, and so on.
I went with private CDL school because I had the cash to pay for it and I'd rather have the option of working anywhere instead of feeling like I had to stay with XYZ company because they paid for my CDL and I'd have to pay them back if I quit.
I don't think companies view drivers who obtained a CDL privately as serious or focused or anything. They probably think of it more as "Oh man... what bad habits did that CDL school instructor teach this person that we have to unteach!" CDL school gives you like 1% of what you need to be a driver, so in that respect company schools are training you immediately to be a driver from day one. In private CDL school you are the paying customer and they tell you how good of a driver you are. In company training they are paying YOU to be there and they want you to become a competent driver ASAP so you can make them money.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
SAP:
Substance Abuse Professional
The Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) is a person who evaluates employees who have violated a DOT drug and alcohol program regulation and makes recommendations concerning education, treatment, follow-up testing, and aftercare.