Seeking Paid CDL Training Advice

Hi! I've spent hours thru this site since i found it-thank you for being here! Perhaps i need to read even more, but a couple questions cant hurt right? Im in California looking for a paid CDL program, its location doesnt matter to me. I wanted to get into trucking a few years ago, but a DUI on record isnt awesome. Now it's less then 90 days until 10yrs old! So can any drivers or soon to be drivers give me any advice? So far i need a paid CDL program & that location is no issue; although i'd rather not learn completely across the country to train. I'd also prefer being on the road a while;days,weeks. Im 34, single & prefer it, no family at home, ive always loved driving & seeing new places, im very content alone & live alone. Also..i do have a cat who i love dearly like a son..it would be GREAT to find a company allow 1 pet;esp if i get the long durations on the road. Thats pretty much it..hopefully not too picky? I really just need a chance here, but i also want to be trained well so i can operate at maximim potential safely! Im big on safety! Thank you☺

CFI will train you in Missouri. Their HQ is in Joplin. We have a few drop yards in California. You don't ever have to go home. However, with CFI you don't lose the days you build up. You also earn vacation days as you drive. When you decide to go home, you would be able to take as many days as you want and with vacation days you could get paid for all or part of your home time. That would be up to you. We also have a pet and rider policy. The pet deposit is $500.00, I think they will payroll deduct that over time. You would have to have someone care for the cat until you get your truck. That took me about two months from the time I left home until, I got my truck.

I trained with and drive for CFI. I found them a great place to train and work. Good luck.

Oh and one DUI 10 years ago won't be a problem. Just let the recruiter know up front.

Welcome to the forum Alexis. Not sure if you have invested any time with these links:

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road CDL Training Program
• CDL Practice Tests

The first two are designed to establish realistic expectations and help to set a career path that aligns with your fledgling career. The second two are the cornerstones of success building a foundation to help you easily pass the CDL permit exams and prepare you for trucking school.

As a moderator I try to provide a bigger picture of options when someone requests initial input. You have many options and we suggest not to limit yourself to just one company. Regardless of how great a company is, receiving an offer to attend their school may not happen, if for no other reason they are not hiring from your geography or there are better qualified candidates. Have several irons in the fire,...not just one.

If you look around at all of the experienced drivers on this forum; Patrick loves H.O. Wolding, Susan lives Westside Transport, Rainy loves Prime, Turtle loves Prime Flatbed, Old School loves Knight, I love Swift, Danielsahn loves Hummer, and of course Big Scott loves CFI. All of us are beyond the rookie year, some like myself and Old School have been with our respective companies for many years and have no plans to look elsewhere. It's a pattern consistent with many folks regularly contributing to this forum. Good drivers can be successful no matter what company they work for. Our membership proves that point.

I suggest taking a really good look at this link:

Paid CDL Training Programs

And do a deeper dive by looking at this link and visiting trucking company websites:

Trucking Company Reviews

And use this link to Apply For Paid CDL Training

One last suggestion. Be careful venturing into the uncharted waters of the Interweb; most of the information posted about the Trucking industry and the largest companies is NOT credible.

Ask questions...we're here to help guide you through this and provide very specific answers when requested. Good luck!