Considering Getting CDL In Dallas -Forth Worth Area.
Topic 34404 | Page 1
Our recommendation is company-sponsored training. That way you're getting paid to learn and have a guaranteed job upon successfully passing the program. That's especially important in this kind of market where jobs are hard to come by. The company is also more forgiving for rookie mistakes due to them having shelled out money in hopes you'll succeed and earn for them in the future.
Which company doesn't really matter, it's up to you to determine your success. My advice is this: Figure out what type of freight you want to haul, ie: dry van , reefer , flatbed. Make a list of what's important to you. Use the application on this site that goes to many companies. Of the ones who contact you, see what most meets your needs, and pull the trigger. For me, it was dry van, training truck ran as a solo truck, and maybe a couple other things I can't even remember because it's that unimportant in the grand scheme of things. I did that and went with a company that wasn't even on my radar and am very happy where I'm at.
Read the training diaries and you can get a good dose of knowledge from others' experiences. Ask any questions that come up along the way. Use the High Road program here to make passing the written CDL tests a breeze.
Many members here started trucking as second or third careers in their 50s and 60s, age matters not in trucking as long as you are responsible, respectful, and can learn the trade.
You didn't ask but it comes up a lot, so I'll say it. Make sure you can pass a hair follicle test as that's what most companies use, in addition to the urine test. A failure can be a career-killer before it even starts.
Welome to TT and we're here to help you along the way!
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.
Dry Van:
A trailer or truck that that requires no special attention, such as refrigeration, that hauls regular palletted, boxed, or floor-loaded freight. The most common type of trailer in trucking.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.
Reefer:
A refrigerated trailer.
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Hello. Im considering getting my cdl. I’ve worked warehouse jobs my whole life. I want a carrer change. Im hoping the money is good. My question is what is the best way of doing it ? Should I try to finance getting my cdl ? Should I apply at a computer that pays training? What are some good companies to start of with? So many questions and I want to have a decent experience when starting of and learn things the right way. Any advice is very much appreciated. Im 31 is that too old ? Lol so many questions I have but Im ready to give it a go.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles: