Looking At Different Companies

James we almost always suggest NOT to put all of your eggs in one basket. You have many options, and yes Roehl is the only company I know if that pays a student while they are in school. There is a distinction though it’s important to understand; school (Paid CDL Training Programs) and road training are two different things. Every company pays a driver during road training (including Prime).

If you cannot financially afford 3+ weeks without a paycheck while in school, then indeed Roehl might be your primary option.

I suggest using this link to see who bites:

Apply For Paid CDL Training

Also not a bad idea to read and study 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

Good luck!

James we almost always suggest NOT to put all of your eggs in one basket. You have many options, and yes Roehl is the only company I know if that pays a student while they are in school. There is a distinction though it’s important to understand; school (Paid CDL Training Programs) and road training are two different things. Every company pays a driver during road training (including Prime).

If you cannot financially afford 3+ weeks without a paycheck while in school, then indeed Roehl might be your primary option.

I suggest using this link to see who bites:

Apply For Paid CDL Training

Also not a bad idea to read and study 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

Good luck!

At my current job I just keep up with bills and have very little in savings. Financially Roehl really does seem like the best option.

I have been looking at the guides and done some of the practice tests, and plan to continue doing so before I even think about scheduling the permit test. I want to be as ready as possible.

All the replies so far have been great help, I truly appreciate it!

Okay…

Do here’s the thing;

Even if you are the perfect candidate, for a variety of reasons they are not obligated to disclose, Roehl may pass on you. Then what?

That’s why we suggest to exercise multiple options.

Okay…

Do here’s the thing;

Even if you are the perfect candidate, for a variety of reasons they are not obligated to disclose, Roehl may pass on you. Then what?

That’s why we suggest to exercise multiple options.

In that case I would move to my second choice after scraping every penny I possibly can to scrape by. Wouldn’t be easy, but also wouldn’t be the first time I’ve had to scrape anything I could together.

Not trying to come off like a recruiter but Knight pays you while in school as well. But...you have to pay for your own lodging and food. Most of the companies have slightly different takes on how they go about it but it works out about the same no matter who you go with.

I'd highly recommend taking a shotgun approach and applying to many different companies. It's always good to select a company you want to go with based on them falling in line with your priorities but as was said, there's no guarantee you will get hired by them.

Also I see a lot of people thinking they are going to find a company that somehow deviates from the rest of companies and pays miraculously high rates right off the bat. It's just not the case. They all pay about the same in relative ways and a student is a liability, not an asset yet. It costs a company money to train and develop you into a productive and safe driver.

What is your second choice and why?

Millis trains in cartersville. An email I received as I was inquiring for a friend looking to get his cdl.

"Yes our schools use all automatic trucks now. A lot of companies are going to auto’s so it’s not as big of a concern as it used to be. We have a school in Eden NC ( Ridgeway VA ) one in Trenton OH and on in Carlisle PA. Not sure where in VA you live, so I thought I would like all 3.. Here is more information and a link if you would like to put in an application No Tuition, Paid School and Paid Training For You! We received your application online and it looks like you are looking for a Driving School to get your Class A CDL. We have a school for you and with our New Program, there is no upfront tuition costs! We only take 6 students per class and they are filling up fast, so if you are interested please contact me soon! The program consists of : ** 3 weeks of instruction and driving on and off course ** 3 days of Orientation and Graduation ** 5 to 8 weeks of one on one paid training at a base rate of .44 cpm ( 15,000 miles required to test into your own truck ) Weekly pay for attending the school will be $600 per week. You will be considered an employee of Millis Transfer from your first week attending school. Your first 3 weeks' checks will be put on your fuel ( Comdata ) Card and Millis will load your card with $200 right away ( advance from your first weekly check ) so that you will have some cash right away. Once you get on a truck with a trainer, they will switch your weekly pay to direct deposit. Millis Transfer offers a full benefit package including Health, Vision and Dental which if elected will activate on the first of the month following your first 60 days of employment. School Tuition: There is no upfront cost for the program itself, however you will be responsible for your hotel stay, food and transportation during the 3 and a half weeks of school and orientation. Hotel Stay: Should you need a hotel Millis Transfer is negotiating corporate rates for students with at least one hotel in the area. This information will be included in your training packet. You may have the option to split this rate if there is another student willing to share a room. Millis will reimburse your hotel expense up to $30 per day provided you turn in your invoice/receipt from the hotel. Training Contract: Each student will be required to sign a " Training Agreement" . If you stay with Millis Transfer for a year, this agreement will be complete and you will not owe anything for the training portion of the program."

Does not mention Cartersville in email. My friend lives in Sw Va. Just gives you the low down. Small class size is great.

What is your second choice and why?

Based on what I have read both on these forums and other sites, CSRT, Prime, and Swift all seem like good options.

Not trying to come off like a recruiter but Knight pays you while in school as well. But...you have to pay for your own lodging and food. Most of the companies have slightly different takes on how they go about it but it works out about the same no matter who you go with.

I'd highly recommend taking a shotgun approach and applying to many different companies. It's always good to select a company you want to go with based on them falling in line with your priorities but as was said, there's no guarantee you will get hired by them.

Also I see a lot of people thinking they are going to find a company that somehow deviates from the rest of companies and pays miraculously high rates right off the bat. It's just not the case. They all pay about the same in relative ways and a student is a liability, not an asset yet. It costs a company money to train and develop you into a productive and safe driver.

I had a look at Knight but it doesn't look like they accept applications from my area based on the information here.

CRST also seems good, and being mostly teams from what I have read is definitely a nice way to keep learning from someone with more experience.

When you talk to recruiters, you might want to ask what requirements their drivers must meet to be a Trainer. Some, such as Prime, are very particular about their Trainers.

Driving teams is no guarantee that other person is gonna be well-experienced AND give good advice. Heck, that person might be expecting YOU to give the advice. 😆Just kidding, it might not be like that.

My point is just be as sure as you can, that you choose a company that’s professional enough to be a career, since that’s what you want.

I hope this helps.