Company Sponsored CDL Schools.

What happens if a student does not pass the CDL on the first go round? Is a student paid while attending the school sponsored by a company or does the "training" pay begin after obtaining a CDL? Also at age 42 I am looking for a job I can retire with. I am in good shape I still run and workout, I do take simvastatin for elevated triglycerides. However, I am not looking for a job that requires heavy lifting all day everyday. I work for Coke and I have a job like that now. Is it reasonable to think I could find a job driving a truck with a small amount of lifting? I do not mind OTR as my kids are grown, and my wife would be willing to accompany me OTR once I have completed my training. Advice would be appreciated. Craig.

What happens if a student does not pass the CDL on the first go round? Is a student paid while attending the school sponsored by a company or does the "training" pay begin after obtaining a CDL? Also at age 42 I am looking for a job I can retire with. I am in good shape I still run and workout, I do take simvastatin for elevated triglycerides. However, I am not looking for a job that requires heavy lifting all day everyday. I work for Coke and I have a job like that now. Is it reasonable to think I could find a job driving a truck with a small amount of lifting? I do not mind OTR as my kids are grown, and my wife would be willing to accompany me OTR once I have completed my training. Advice would be appreciated. Craig.

i know prime u can take it up to three times for your cdl before u are sent home. the only thing with prime that might be a problem for u is that in the refer div u are stuck with a lightweight truck and a lightweight truck there isnt much room for two people.

What happens if a student does not pass the CDL on the first go round? Is a student paid while attending the school sponsored by a company or does the "training" pay begin after obtaining a CDL? Also at age 42 I am looking for a job I can retire with. I am in good shape I still run and workout, I do take simvastatin for elevated triglycerides. However, I am not looking for a job that requires heavy lifting all day everyday. I work for Coke and I have a job like that now. Is it reasonable to think I could find a job driving a truck with a small amount of lifting? I do not mind OTR as my kids are grown, and my wife would be willing to accompany me OTR once I have completed my training. Advice would be appreciated. Craig.

i know prime u can take it up to three times for your cdl before u are sent home. the only thing with prime that might be a problem for u is that in the refer div u are stuck with a lightweight truck and a lightweight truck there isnt much room for two people.

Thanks for the info!

What happens if a student does not pass the CDL on the first go round?

Generally speaking you can take the CDL test as many times as you like. Some states have a short waiting period in between tests, others don't. A good number of people fail the first time but almost everyone passes the second time. I remember one of our members talking about needing a 3rd time to pass.

Is a student paid while attending the school sponsored by a company or does the "training" pay begin after obtaining a CDL?

I believe Knight Transportation begins paying you as soon as you arrive at school. So you're getting paid for the classroom, backing range, and then of course once you go on the road with a trainer. The other companies begin paying you once you go on the road with a trainer.

But don't let that influence your decision any. Just because Knight is going to kick you a few hundred bucks for a few weeks doesn't mean you want to start your career there. Pick the company you feel suits you best and think long term.

Also at age 42 I am looking for a job I can retire with.

I don't know if I'd worry about that. I'm 42 also. Our life expectancy is going to be like 90+ so we'll probably be working well into our 70's. Nobody has any idea what will happen in our lives or in the world around us over the next 30+ years. So get into trucking if you feel it suits you well right now and stick with it until you feel there's a better path for you. Maybe you'll be in it 30 days, maybe you'll retire from it. But I wouldn't worry about that.

I am in good shape I still run and workout, I do take simvastatin for elevated triglycerides. However, I am not looking for a job that requires heavy lifting all day everyday. I work for Coke and I have a job like that now. Is it reasonable to think I could find a job driving a truck with a small amount of lifting?

Absolutely. Most over the road jobs require no real lifting whatsoever. In fact, a lot of companies advertise "98% no-touch freight" and even the ones you do have to help with you're only doing a small part. But that's rare.

A lot of local jobs require some measure of physical labor and generally speaking the more physical labor involved the better the pay.

But you can certainly find a work that involves little or no physical labor.

Thanks Brett, I am definitely thinking long term. I want to be as informed as possible before I pull the trigger on this. While I could go ahead and pay for school on my own, it sounds as if it may be more advantageous to go to a company sponsored school. It sounds as if I should speak to some of the schools themselves and try to make a decision. I have 3 weeks of vacation I could use to help get me through the transition period if I choose to do this. Swift has a school near me in Virginia so that could be helpful. Thanks for all the patience with my questions.

You should definitely look around a lot and explore your options for schooling. We have a number of resources on the subject, including:

1) Our category or articles on How To Choose A Truck Driving School

2) Our Truck Driver's Career Guide has a chapter on Choosing A Truck Driving School which covers the options well