Need Opinions - School Or Get CDL Myself

I have been following Randy J's diary about his experience with Prime (which is very good) and I was talking to my sister who's husband is a driver. She was telling me it is better to get your cdl and drive with someone instead of going to a company training.

My question is, Would it be better to go to a school like Prime to get my CDL and get my training and experience that way or go ahead and get my CDL and go out with my brother in law for a few months and then try to get a job to get into my own truck?

I would rather "partner" with my brother in law because I know him and we get along. Just not sure if that would be the best route to go. Looking for any advice or words of wisdom from members who have been in the business.

Thanks

David we generally would advise you to go to school and get a job driving over the road for the first year. Then if you want to partner with your brother in law you can try it. I don't know what type of operation your brother in law has, but it is usually very difficult to get reasonable insurance on a new driver like yourself. I suspect he may not be able to get you covered at all, and that is something you need to get straight before you jump off into the water and then find out that you were not insured after having an accident.

There is so much to learn during that first year of driving that it will go by so fast you won't even hardly realize it. That would be my advice, it's just a good solid plan for how to get started in this career. Of course not everybody goes that path, but it is the safest surest way to get a good start. Like I said, once you've done that you can pretty much have a ticket to where you want to go in your career, and if it's to drive with your brother in law then give it a try, but I think you will find that being a company driver is a pretty good deal after all.

If I went with a company paid training then I wouldnt drive with him. I just thought it would be a good way to get the experience. After reading Randy J's diary, I am thinking about just getting my permit and going with Prime. So far thats the best training company I have read on the forums.

Still reading though. Trying to find what the pay is like while in training and driving with an instructor and also what it is when you get your own truck. I tried looking on primes website but didnt see anything about the pay.

David, this is my experience: When it comes to first year pay, you just need to concentrate on doing your very best and building a good solid relationship with your dispatcher so that they know you are dependable. That is the key to making money at this stuff. It's not about making sure you get the most cents per mile, it's all about proving yourself to your dispatcher so that they know they can trust you with lots of miles. I made considerably more my first year than most rookie drivers, but it was because I did certain things that would boost my pay. I stayed out on the road for longer periods of time than most rookies are willing to do, I never said word about a load that I didn't like, I just busted my tail on every one that came my way. I delivered early any chance I could. I kept my dispatcher busy just trying to keep up with me. A good dispatcher loves guys that do that, and they will reward you.

Okay, having said all that I will tell you that Prime pays some of the highest pay in the industry for rookie drivers, and if you take one of their lightweight trucks, their pay is over the top.

I appreciate all the advice. I think I am going to give Prime a call tmrw and see what they have to say. Then I will go to the DMV here in TN and get my permit. I am looking over the materials here on the forum and preparing myself for all the tests. I will be studying them up till I leave out.

Thanks again for everything.

If I went with a company paid training then I wouldnt drive with him. I just thought it would be a good way to get the experience. After reading Randy J's diary, I am thinking about just getting my permit and going with Prime. So far thats the best training company I have read on the forums.

Still reading though. Trying to find what the pay is like while in training and driving with an instructor and also what it is when you get your own truck. I tried looking on primes website but didnt see anything about the pay.

Don't forget to weigh the option of going to a private school if you have the financial means to do so. Like a 0 % credit card offer. Many companies offer tuition reimbursement without the need for a contract. The private school route can open a few more doors. Whatever you do stick with that first company for a year no matter what. Then the world is your oyster!

David, this is my experience: When it comes to first year pay, you just need to concentrate on doing your very best and building a good solid relationship with your dispatcher so that they know you are dependable. That is the key to making money at this stuff. It's not about making sure you get the most cents per mile, it's all about proving yourself to your dispatcher so that they know they can trust you with lots of miles. I made considerably more my first year than most rookie drivers, but it was because I did certain things that would boost my pay. I stayed out on the road for longer periods of time than most rookies are willing to do, I never said word about a load that I didn't like, I just busted my tail on every one that came my way. I delivered early any chance I could. I kept my dispatcher busy just trying to keep up with me. A good dispatcher loves guys that do that, and they will reward you.

Okay, having said all that I will tell you that Prime pays some of the highest pay in the industry for rookie drivers, and if you take one of their lightweight trucks, their pay is over the top.

This is great advice Old School. I'm planning on doing the best I can to follow the same philosophy. Put my head down and grind it out with a smile!