Trying To Get Into The Trucking Industry With Paid CDL Training
Topic 33421 | Page 1
Hello Matthew.
The diabetes shouldn’t be a problem, especially with the MD sign off. I have it and also take Metformin. It’s not been an issue at all since I got on the medication and adjusted my diet.
Your recent work situation may or may not be an issue. Depends on the company. So be ready to document your whereabouts for the last 3 years so the companies know you have not been in Yemen at a terrorist training camp.
Definitely apply to company sponsored training programs through the links on this website. It’s a little tough to get accepted currently, so be persistent and apply everywhere you can.
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.
I applied via that link before. I haven’t had any luck. No one has even reached out to me unfortunately.
I’ll be off Metformin before the year is over. So I didn’t think that would be an issue. My doctor thought it was an issue for a long while, even though I showed her the regulations.
I’ve been going through today and individually applying since I can’t apply to that link It’s definitely taking me some time lol
What companies have you applied to?
What companies have you applied to?
Was Schneider one of the companies you applied to? They have a very big operation in Indiana and might be a good fit for you.
TMC, Maverick, Roehl, Carter, Keller, Crum, CFI, Millis, StevensTransport, Prime, Knight, etc.
What companies have you applied to?
Try Big M Transportation, Magnum Logistics, and Cypress Truck Lines.
Big M & Magnum will pay tuition to go to a school near them, if I recall correctly. I think they'll give you a hotel room too.
TMC, Maverick, Roehl, Carter, Keller, Crum, CFI, Millis, StevensTransport, Prime, Knight, etc.
What companies have you applied to?
I’ll definitely look into those. I’m in Indiana. So I was trying to find something here in the Midwest I could drive to for training. If I can’t, will definitely be in touch.
If you or anyone else had any suggestions, please let me know. I’m starting to get desperate lol
Try Big M Transportation, Magnum Logistics, and Cypress Truck Lines.
Big M & Magnum will pay tuition to go to a school near them, if I recall correctly. I think they'll give you a hotel room too.
TMC, Maverick, Roehl, Carter, Keller, Crum, CFI, Millis, StevensTransport, Prime, Knight, etc.
What companies have you applied to?
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.New Reply:
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I have a strong desire to join the trucking industry, but there are some obstacles I must overcome. At 32 years old, living in Indiana, my work experience spans various fields, including construction, factory, foundry, warehouse, the medical sector, and even owning my own small business for a few years. My goal is to pursue a Midwest Regional Dedicated role initially, focusing on driving and safety.
One hurdle I face is having Type-2 Diabetes, with a well-controlled A1C of 5.1 managed through diet and Metformin. Fortunately, my doctor has approved me to attend CDL school, as the September 2018 revision of the FMCSA's Diabetes Regulation changes supports this. (A1C under 10.0, controlled blood sugar with supporting documentation, etc)
Another challenge is my current financial situation, which has left me with nonexistent recent work history. This can be attributed to my role as the full-time primary caregiver for a close immediate family member during their lengthy battle with cancer, spanning nearly three years.
Earlier this year, I received a workforce grant to attend a private CDL school (TDI), covering approximately 40% of the tuition. However, this grant resulted in an automatic transmission restriction. Despite the school lowering the tuition considerably to accommodate my circumstances, I still needed to gather several more thousands to cover remaining costs, including room/board, food, and travel expenses due to the school's distance from my home. Unfortunately, I couldn't attend, and the WorkForce grant can only be issued once in my state, leaving me ineligible for further grants.
I've applied for company-sponsored CDL Training, and during the application process, I explain my situation in detail, including the financial impact it had on my family. Unfortunately, some companies initially express understanding on the phone, but later, I receive short emails stating they cannot accommodate me. I recognize it's not an ideal situation, but I prioritized my family's well-being at that time.
After thorough the reflection process, I am determined to make a positive change and pursue a career in trucking. I have spent extensive hours researching companies(the ones that have turned me down), talking to truckers, and exploring various options to ensure this is the right path for me.
Despite my passion and dedication, it seems challenging to find opportunities beyond CDL schools, which require payment I currently cannot afford. I'm seeking any insight or information that might make it easier for me to enter the industry.
Thank you for your consideration and support.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
Regional:
Regional Route
Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.
CSA:
Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)
The CSA is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are related to commercial motor vehicle
FMCSA:
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
The FMCSA was established within the Department of Transportation on January 1, 2000. Their primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries.
What Does The FMCSA Do?
Fm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.