Does Being A School Grad Increase Chances Of Being Hired?

I am currently attending a private truck driving school and have $2500 of $3500 in tuition left to pay. For that same amount I could get about 15 hours of one-on-one training through a truck/trailer rental/cdl training company and get my CDL a month or so earlier than if I finish at the school. I have air brakes, parallel parking, alley dock, pre-trip inspection & road test left to learn. I'm going to a good school but about half my time there is spent waiting my turn and their trucks aren't in good condition.

I have a wet & reckless from 2014 and a DUI from 2015 on my driving record although both have been expunged from my criminal record. I understand my record may significantly lower my chances of being hired, so at this point the only good reason I can see in completing school is to get the certificate. Given my driving record, would having proof that I completed a truck driving course improve my chances of getting hired at all?

Garrett, the short answer is: No school, no job. Most companies won't even talk to you if you have not been to a 160 hour CDL school.

You should complete the school course.

As for your driving "incidents", that will be up to each company. Check this out:

• Trucker's Career Guide: Choosing Your First Truck Driving Job
• Article Category: Finding The Right Truck Driving Job
• Forum Topics Tagged "Choosing A Trucking Company"

I am currently attending a private truck driving school and have $2500 of $3500 in tuition left to pay. For that same amount I could get about 15 hours of one-on-one training through a truck/trailer rental/cdl training company and get my CDL a month or so earlier than if I finish at the school. I have air brakes, parallel parking, alley dock, pre-trip inspection & road test left to learn. I'm going to a good school but about half my time there is spent waiting my turn and their trucks aren't in good condition.

I have a wet & reckless from 2014 and a DUI from 2015 on my driving record although both have been expunged from my criminal record. I understand my record may significantly lower my chances of being hired, so at this point the only good reason I can see in completing school is to get the certificate. Given my driving record, would having proof that I completed a truck driving course improve my chances of getting hired at all?

^^^^^^^ Indeed, Errol ~!! Garrett; take STOCK and HEED in what Errol V says.. he IS a TRAINER!!!! (LOOK him UP here.)

On another note; if it'd help you to learn via verisimilitude (as it does ME,) read THIS: Shadow Trucker's journey thus far:

Your record(s) from 2014 might exclude a FEW training companies, but would INCLUDE a few MANY... in our group! How's your work history? Prime is picky about that.. others,not so much!

Seriously, I'd BAIL, pay the 1K now, or finance thru a local credit union, and GO THIS ROUTE:

Paid CDL Training Programs

~ Anne ~

ps: Here's our 'welcome / starter kit' ... if ya come back to our amazing website/forum. This will help you figure out if trucking IS, in fact, FOR YOU!

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

(again, just me!)

I am currently attending a private truck driving school and have $2500 of $3500 in tuition left to pay. For that same amount I could get about 15 hours of one-on-one training through a truck/trailer rental/cdl training company and get my CDL a month or so earlier than if I finish at the school. I have air brakes, parallel parking, alley dock, pre-trip inspection & road test left to learn. I'm going to a good school but about half my time there is spent waiting my turn and their trucks aren't in good condition.

I have a wet & reckless from 2014 and a DUI from 2015 on my driving record although both have been expunged from my criminal record. I understand my record may significantly lower my chances of being hired, so at this point the only good reason I can see in completing school is to get the certificate. Given my driving record, would having proof that I completed a truck driving course improve my chances of getting hired at all?

^^^^^^^ Indeed, Errol ~!! Garrett; take STOCK and HEED in what Errol V says.. he IS a TRAINER!!!! (LOOK him UP here.)

On another note; if it'd help you to learn via verisimilitude (as it does ME,) read THIS: Shadow Trucker's journey thus far:

Your record(s) from 2014 might exclude a FEW training companies, but would INCLUDE a few MANY... in our group! How's your work history? Prime is picky about that.. others,not so much!

Seriously, I'd BAIL, pay the 1K now, or finance thru a local credit union, and GO THIS ROUTE:

Paid CDL Training Programs

~ Anne ~

ps: Here's our 'welcome / starter kit' ... if ya come back to our amazing website/forum. This will help you figure out if trucking IS, in fact, FOR YOU!

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

(again, just me!)

Anne, I was considering doing paid company training instead of school a week ago and spoke to a recruiter at CRST and told him my situation. He said he always recommends that students in school always stay in school, and you can always get on board with the company after you have your CDL. He said that if you come in already having your CDL, you can do their training but not be under contract with them.

That was the first I'd heard anything like that. What do you know about it?

On a different topic.... Would you say that using apps like CDL Prep to study for your permit should be enough? Or should you read through the manual? I need to get my permit ASAP, so if the apps should be enough to get a passing score than I would rather not take the time to read the manual.

Garrett the best thing you can do to prepare is study and take the tests found in this link:

High Road CDL Training Program

Good luck!

Garrett,

I'll still side with Errol and G'Town. Always. I've just got a 'few' pennies to add! I doubt ANYTHING the other apps have can out'do ours, here.

• CDL Practice Tests
• High Road Practice Questions
• Android App: CDL Practice Tests

• Pre-Trip Inspection Study Guide
• Daniel's Pre-Trip Inspection
• Pre-Trip Inspection Checklist
• Pre-Trip Inspection Practice Questions

The PTI above, can't be beat. Brett still gets asked for the 'rights' to publish this, on other training sites!

CRST, ah.. the magic. You spoke to a NICE, HONEST recruiter. The reason he/she is telling you this..is that CRST has THE HARDEST contract to get OUT OF in the industry!! (You got a fortune cookie, at best. Honesty doesn't always prevail in this industry, sadly w/recruiters.)

How far ARE you into school??!?!?! Can you cash out, and do what we'd advised you to, already? Apply For Paid CDL Training Heck, tell << these peeps that you've completed a partial, and see what they might be able to DO, deal wise. Prime has a different program for folks coming in with their CDL.. Kearsey has posted that info.. I'll let you search, tho. Sorry.

Here's the CRST contract:

Not ALL companies are this 'strict.' (Yet, they deserve to be!) A YEAR of driving will BARELY a driver, make ya! What's ONE and done, if you choose, with ANY said company ?!?!?

Again, I offer the same: Here's an exemplar of how 'personally paid school' might short you; and force your hand to go the FULL MONTY with company choice, anyway.

Shadow's Experience thus far....

Again, E and G .. not stepping on toes; not intended... I just am in 'prep mode' for my OWN trucking future, and blessed to have KNOWN y'all for almost 4 years... so I shall be prepared!

~ Anne ~

Not ALL companies are this 'strict.' (Yet, they deserve to be!) A YEAR of driving will BARELY a driver, make ya! What's ONE and done, if you choose, with ANY said company ?!?!?

Interesting letter. That reminds me of the show biz phrase, "you'll never work in this town again." Is there any sort of buy-out provision in the contract?

Not ALL companies are this 'strict.' (Yet, they deserve to be!) A YEAR of driving will BARELY a driver, make ya! What's ONE and done, if you choose, with ANY said company ?!?!?

Interesting letter. That reminds me of the show biz phrase, "you'll never work in this town again." Is there any sort of buy-out provision in the contract?

I've 'heard' there is, to the tune of $7.5 K ... no joke!

~ Anne ~

I just discovered Wilson Logistics a couple days ago and decided almost immediately to drop out of school and do their training program.

HOWEVER:

I quickly discover that that DUIs must be 7 years old to get on board with them. I was so impressed regardless that I decided to wait till Sept 2022 to do their paid training program.

BUT THEN

I speak to a recruiter and he tells me if you're already attending a school, you're ineligible for their training program. They may hire you upon completing the school, getting your CDL then getting 6 months of experience with another company.

WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT WHYYYYYYYYYYY

What is the logic or reasoning behind that?!? The only possible reason I can think of is they want their trainees "fresh", "pure" and "untainted" by an training program that isn't theirs??? I mean, I want to join the company so badly I'm willing to drop out of CDL school and wait nearly two years to do they're training program. That should tell them they're missing out on hiring a HIGHLY dedicated new recruit.

The recruiter said he might present my case to his superiors and see if he could pull some strings. Just after that I told him about my driving record and his attitude understandably went a little south after that, but never said I'm screwed and there's no way I'm attending their program.

I'm considering calling him tomorrow to do some light begging because needless to say I'm pretty bummed and a little angry. (Mostly with myself for going gung-ho into this school without doing more research first.)

What do y'all think? Should I just leave it be? Would begging them just annoy them and lower my chances of them ever even hiring me?

By "begging" I don't mean literally begging of course. I'd be mature and would do my best to present a reasonable argument and ask what's up with that policy.

What is the logic or reasoning behind that?!? The only possible reason I can think of is they want their trainees "fresh", "pure" and "untainted" by an training program that isn't theirs??? 

You answered your own question, Garrett. Have you ever tried to teach someone when they come in with an idea of how to do things? It's frustrating for all parties involved. Now, when something is expedited and they don't have time for you to forget what you've learned thus far, it's a hassle.

That should tell them they're missing out on hiring a HIGHLY dedicated new recruit.

Everybody says they're a highly dedicated recruit starting out. Not saying you're not, but they hear it so often it loses all meaning. They have their criteria and their rules. That's the only thing that matters. You'd be surprised how many people jump in saying they're willing to do whatever it takes and 2 months later they're going home or 6 months later, they're looking for a company that'll hire somebody with 3 months experience.

I'm considering calling him tomorrow to do some light begging because needless to say I'm pretty bummed and a little angry. 

Is this because you're in school or for the DUI? If they can't hire you until 2022 because of the DUI , there's no point in contacting them. Your application is only good for 30-60 days depending on the company. They won't say ok today for 2022. You'd have to wait until then to apply.

My advice, finish school and get hired with whoever will hire you. You've set yourself up to hit some walls here. If you get your CDL now and you sit on the sidelines until 2022, Wilson is going to tell you that your CDL is staleb and they can't go anything with you. They'll tell you to get some experience or take a refresher. Take any job you can get, stick with it for a year and then apply to Wilson if that's what you want to do.