Getting My CDL On A Budget.

G-Town beat me to it.

You are really not grasping what the experienced people are saying to you. If you can go 1-2 months of waiting, then why not sign on with a company that will train you with no money up front and then pay you while you are on the road being trained?

Do your 1 year commitment, then make a decision from there.

Its a no brainer really. It will also be less risk than you waiting around for a couple of months for a job you may not even want to begin with.

Just my opinion, hope everything works out for you.

Ok, so company paid training is the only way to get into driving. Everything else is a fool's errand. These companies make me a little nervous. A sign on bonus and paid training, what if 3 weeks In I find out it's not for me. The bonus would be paid back and I imagine any time training me would also run up a bill. I hate signing things, but if it's the only way, I will look into it. Thanks.

Ok, so company paid training is the only way to get into driving. Everything else is a fool's errand. These companies make me a little nervous. A sign on bonus and paid training, what if 3 weeks In I find out it's not for me. The bonus would be paid back and I imagine any time training me would also run up a bill. I hate signing things, but if it's the only way, I will look into it. Thanks.

The alternative would be to pay up front for a CDL school, so in either scenario you'd end up paying for it, up front or afterwards.

Ok, so company paid training is the only way to get into driving.

Nobody has said that. You told us you're funds are very limited. We told you the best way to get the ball rolling. We believe the Company Sponsored Programs to be the best way to go. Both Brett and I paid for private truck driving schools when we started. After being out here awhile we realized there's a better way.

These companies make me a little nervous. A sign on bonus and paid training, what if 3 weeks In I find out it's not for me.

John, I'm a straight shooter. It's pretty obvious to me you aren't anywhere near ready for a commercial driving career. You lack the commitment and resolve that will be required. You seem like you just want to kick the tires and then move on and look elsewhere. Nobody gets anywhere as a trucker with that approach.

Unfortunately we've witnessed thousands of guys like you who think they will just give this trucking business a try and it literally kicks their tail. They go back to living in their mom's basement after the first few frustrations they encounter. There's nothing about starting a trucking career that's easy. Look at what you've done so far. You thought you had the perfect plan. Then you found out nobody would hire you - even if you were willing to work for free! You wasted 700 dollars for nothing. You got a class B license that's worthless.

If you want this you'll have to dig in, hang on, and don't look back. Any other approach will fall short. We've shown you the most effective way to go about it. You can do with it what you want.

Ok, thanks.

John I attended a private school that my employer paid to put me through. I was the only student with their training paid for, the others paid $4500 of their own money. I received the exact same treatment and learning as they did. We all learned the bare minimum to pass a test to get our CDL. The only difference is my schooling was free as long as I worked for my employer for 1 year. 1 year is the magical number for a ton of opportunities to open up. If you go into it with the mindset of hating it and quitting in 3 weeks that's what will happen. Throughout the first couple months (and sometimes your first year) you will quit dozens of time in your head. It's extremely frustrating and exhausting getting started. It does get easier once you get into a routine, get better at backing and trip planning. Unfortunately most people think truck driving is super easy and any idiot can sit on their butt enjoying the scenery, but that misconception is far from the truth.

John H.,

Nice Avatar! It appears of Australia or New Zealand (mudflaps up front).

I went through a Truck Driver Training School in latter 1998. It WASN'T FREE. I did some research yet nothing "popped up" claiming FREE so I went the Paid route. I did get a Pell Grant, so that helped a little.

There are Colleges that advertise Truck Driving Courses. Company Advertisements regarding Driver Training.

I've NEVER seen ANY Construction Companies, as a example, offering to Hire potential Dump Truck Drivers/Equipment Operators without Experience. Heavy Equipment Operators is another avenue some many folks have explored.

How's your CRIMINAL RECORD? This has a MAJOR BEARING upon even getting INTO TRUCKING. Any questionable Misdemeanor convictions since 18? Recent D.U.I./D.W.I./O.U.I./O.W.I.?? Drug Charges/Convictions? Vehicular Accidents whether or not at Fault? Points on License?

Do you LOVE Alcohol? Other Substances?

Just Checking, because I was unaware of a D.U.I. being a problem regarding Trucking and I had to wait 7 years (August '91-August '98) from conviction date BEFORE applying to ANY Freight Trucking Company. I had a CLASS A License before December '98 and I still have it because I quit drinking Booze, June 4th, '92. - - - - - Do Some RESEARCH at this Site! Check out TRAINING OPTIONS! Get PREPARED Mentally! - - - - - - The World is full of "What IF?"

The TIME to discover IF you would not like Trucking is in ORIENTATION because you're not fully committed!!

Just like working in Warehouses, NO COMPANY starts ANYONE at the Top (unless, possibly, one buys 51+% of the company), you had to "work your way up". Same in CLASS A & B Trucking. Get the 1st INCIDENT FREE YEAR, then see where ya wanna be. Might well be where you are then, might not, you'll never know till you arrive, IF You Choose To Do Such!!

BE EASY ON SELF BUT STUDY WITH PERSEVERANCE!!

Thanks 4 Yur Tym! CHEERS!!

I hate signing things, but if it's the only way, I will look into it. Thanks.

Missed that part.

You'll be SIGNING THINGS, A small BOOK of Things In ANY Orientation!

You'll also be Signing:

Papers for a agreement for CDL TRAINING, because it's a CONTRACT. For a Drug Test. For a Physical. For a Class A License. For Shipping and Receiving Paperwork. For a D.O.T. INSPECTION. For a Overweight Ticket. For a Company to get permission to see your Driving and Criminal Records (as well HireRight and P.S.P.). For a speeding ticket or other Driving Infraction. For the Receipt at a Truck Stop or other location Before AND After Repairs. PLUS You'll be REQUIRED to show Your License pretty much everywhere to Back Up Your Signature.

There are "Trade Offs" in Everything! Costs to Everything! ANYTHING, NOTHING and SOMETHING are the only (seemingly) FREE items.

What If, Why, What For, I Don't Need To, I Ain'T Gonna and Not My Problem are phrases for not following through.

Remember: There's NEVER TIME to do it Right BUT There's Always TIME To Do It Twice (or Thrice) and Warehouse work is full of it!! - - - - - CHEERS!!

John H draws conclusions:

These companies make me a little nervous. A sign on bonus and paid training, what if 3 weeks In I find out it's not for me. The bonus would be paid back and I imagine any time training me would also run up a bill. I hate signing things, but if it's the only way, I will look into it.

John, a pat on the back and a "Thank You" for sticking with your topic. Many people post some Big Question, don't like the way our answers are going, and disappear. We're not really here to make fun or insult anyone. It's all from our experience. If someone writes "I hear ...." we'll call them out on the hearsay.

You're about to make and get a commitment. Signing the contract simply says you'll work for your company, and pay back the tuition. Your company on the other hand will provide some very expensive training to produce a hopefully quality driver.

Any bonus will be paid to you over some time. You could imagine how long a driver would last at a company that handed him Five Grand cash up front on sign-up. So should you bail, you're only on the hook for the bonus payments they've made.

Truck driving is truly a big commitment both for you and the company that takes you on. Get your understanding down now so there's no surprises. Then look forward to an office with the best view out the front in the USA.

No, I don't feel insulted. Just getting the hard truth from the pros. Though the comment about me being a tire kicker with no commitment was a bit much. Must know me or my "type". I was ignorant is all. I should of visited here before jumping in and thinking CDL=job. Live and learn. I want to keep at it and do this. I appreciate everyone taking the time to respond.