I'd Like To Become A Driver, But Having Trouble Finding What I Need...

Hey all,

I just joined here and had a question. Does anyone know of any trucking companies that that pay for the CDL-A training 100% upfront and have a school or training facility in or school near Fayetteville, NC so I can go to school, get my training and be home at night? I'm currently living from unemployment check to unemployment check and I can't put anything towards the cost of training. I've looked into a few companies so far, but they seem to have their own schools that are no where near me.

Would any trucking companies pay a driving school upfront; all of the costs; so I can get training? There's gotta be at least one out there and I hope someone out there would know of one near me.

Thanks!

Why do you have to be home at night every night while you are in training?

Most companies that have training will get you out to their School and pay you while training. I know of no company that will pay an independent training school unless it is a school that they've teamed up with.

Here's some links to read to get you started in this business:

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

James what you dream about is a possibility, but rare. Generally, many trucking companies have their own school, but not near you. But if you are accepted at the company school, you will get a bus ticket and have a hotel room for the four or so weeks of school. The great thing about going company training is that you all but hired when they accept you for training.

Check these out:
Paid CDL Training Programs
Apply now with the top CDL training programs in the country

Finally, having a company truck terminal near you is not necessary. You will be traveling around, and when you are taking home time, you will be routed in a way that gets you home for a few days.

Why don't you have a job?

“Why do you have to be home at night every night while you are in training?”

I think James can’t afford a motel and that is why he thinks he has to train close to home. Correct me if I’m wrong.

James, if a company approves you for training, they usually pay to bring you to their location, put you in a motel and provide several meals every day. Plus, they pay you while in school.

Embarrassing, but yes. I can't afford anything right now. I am literally living from unemployment check to unemployment check. There is a reason of why I wanted to be home every night as well and I'm pretty sure everyone would see it as a stupid reason, but here it goes. I have a cat. I have no one that can keep an eye on him or feed him while I'm gone for training if I had to train somewhere further than I could drive. My cat is really all I have left. I have no family or friends. All I have left is a cat. I was married for 18 years and...well...I'll just say she's not around anymore.

I guess if worse comes to worse, I'll try to find Chance; my cat; a good home and see if I can at least find a company that could at least pay for lodging while I'm in school...if one exists that can at least do that.

“Why do you have to be home at night every night while you are in training?”

I think James can’t afford a motel and that is why he thinks he has to train close to home. Correct me if I’m wrong.

James, if a company approves you for training, they usually pay to bring you to their location, put you in a motel and provide several meals every day. Plus, they pay you while in school.

Thanks for your reply. Yeah, I've been finding out that they seem to have their own training facilities and unfortunately, none are near me. I'm sure this will sound pathetic, but the reason I wanted to be home at night was because I have a cat. Please try to understand, that's all I have. I have no family. I have no friends. All I have is my cat. I had a wife for 18 years and...well, she's not around anymore. Anyway, I guess the only thing I can do is find him a good home and try to find a good company that will cover expenses while I'm training.

Would you know of any that covers ALL costs? I see some that cover some things, but not everything. I need lodging, food and the training itself.

Thanks for any information you could provide!

James what you dream about is a possibility, but rare. Generally, many trucking companies have their own school, but not near you. But if you are accepted at the company school, you will get a bus ticket and have a hotel room for the four or so weeks of school. The great thing about going company training is that you all but hired when they accept you for training.

Check these out:
Paid CDL Training Programs
Apply now with the top CDL training programs in the country

Finally, having a company truck terminal near you is not necessary. You will be traveling around, and when you are taking home time, you will be routed in a way that gets you home for a few days.

I had worked in IT for the past 8 years. I ended up training my replacement; although the co. I worked for will never admit that. The company always prided themselves for only hiring people from the U.S. They were acquired by a holding company and then they hired 6 workers from India. My co-workers and I trained them and some time passed....they let one of my co-workers go...then another...then me.

They flat out lied to unemployment as well. They said that I was laid off due to a lack of work. Ugh!

Why don't you have a job?

See if you can find a foster for the cat for a few months. Check social media groups, Google etc.

Many large carriers have a variety of different options for lodging and school and training. Knight doesn't offer housing but they do pay you while your in school, you're actually an employee with them before you start school. It's not much per week, but it's enough. They also have one of the shortest training periods at 2 weeks if you qualify and do their top gun program for 1 week. Te total time sans cat would be 6 weeks minimum. (3 for school, 1 for top gun, 2 for otr training) you're then solo and could bring your cat, although you'll need to get approval.

Most programs provide lodging. Many combine training with school. The school portion is where you get your CDL , the training is usually otr with a trainer, living and working on the truck. Some are short, some are long periods.

You may still be able to recieve funenjoyment payments at a reduced rate while you are working a new job if the job isn't paying you enough. Check with your state regs. Knowledge is power.

Just some suggestions for thinking outside the box.

If you're currently unemployed, you should be able to qualify to have the cost of your CDL training covered under the Workplace Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Speak with the office that's handling your unemployment benefits. Plenty of drivers have done this.