Class B CDl-what Should I Do.
Topic 156 | Page 1
Theres no way that a class B will help you get into your class A faster. All companies require that you go thru either their class, or an approved class. So I'd have to agree with your wife on this one.Just try to get a job that pays as much as you can, and save to get your class A. Or go to a company sponsored school, which is a good way to get out on the road. If your not working now, then you could do it now, and start getting $$ when you go out with your trainer. If your working now, start to save up $$$ to pay the bills while your in school. If you don't have the money, its always a balancing act...but its doable. Welcome to Trucking Truth, and ask anything you need to know...we're here to help !!
I also have to agree with ur wife as most companies that take exp. Drivers want otr exp.class b doesn't normally give ya otr exp.so check around if ya have a career link or unemployment office go or call them and ask them if they have a learners program,its a program where they get grant money to people get jobs or better their education for the skills they need to get another job in the career field.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
My wife says to save the money because a class b (as she says) is like driving a big pickup. I want to do it right.
Hey Todd, welcome to the forum! It appears that you did just like most of us men and married a girl that's smarter than ourselves. She is absolutely right on this - you'll save yourself a lot of trouble by listening to her. I'm speaking from experience - I drove class B Trucks for ten plus years and absolutely no one considered it as experience for the world of Class A driving. And to be quite honest with you I understand why after driving Big Rigs - there's really no comparison.
Don't get yourself all tangled up over the money. There are a lot of companies out there that will fund your way to your dream. Some of them will payroll deduct your payment for training after your earning a pay check, and some of them want no more that just a commitment from you that you will stay on with them for one year. That's a bargain in my book! Check out this small sampling of some companies that will help you get on board. Company-Sponsored Training
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.
Welcome aboard Todd!
I'm gonna jump on this bandwagon and agree with everyone above - the class B isn't going to get you far at all. The Class A companies do not consider class B driving as "driving experience". They're specifically looking for class A over-the-road experience. By "over the road" they generally mean you have to leave your home state. Most over-the-road companies don't even consider local class A jobs as experience. Personally, I strongly disagree with that particular policy, but that's how they see it.
Definitely take a look at Company-Sponsored Training Programs. They're specifically setup to help people who don't have the cash up front to pay for a private school. They will help you get your CDL and get your career underway.
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.
Over The Road:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
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.
Todd, I went through company sponsored training , and at three weeks commitment, was earning a pay check. And the main expenses I had while going through school was food and occasionally laundry. It is possible to eat cheap too. Some schools take longer than others, but your real training will be with the company trainer, like I am getting now. One way or another, once in training, you will be paid. Some companies pay a flat salary by day, or week while with the trainer. My company actually pays me by the mile. (Double edged sword there, as I am sitting right now waiting on our truck to be repaired, but I can afford it and it is worth it to me to keep a trainer I like).
Bottom line is, there are a lot of ways to get that class A. Good luck!
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.
Thanx for the advice. I wish you all well. Thanx for the grat site, Brett.
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I am looking at going into the trucking industry. I don't have the money to spend for a full class a license. I have money to get a class b. I think that I should take a 10 hour course and get to learn how to drive. My wife says to save the money because a class b (as she says) is like driving a big pickup. I want to do it right. Get my class b training, get my license,then a job and save money towards eventually getting my class a and driving the big trucks. Their are good jobs out there starting at $15 an hour with overtime. They want a year's experience. My feeling is if I go in with training that will help me overcome the experience issue. Thank you for your advice. Todd