Comments By Angela M.

Starting week 3 of CDL school. Week 1 was a repeat of everything I learned in High Road minus a lot. It also consisted of a lot of testing. I knocked out my Indiana operators, General knowledge, air brakes, combinations, and tankers before I ran out of time. Finished the rest and was processed the next day. Week 2 I was out on the range. I didn't get on the list for a truck so I sat out in the heat waiting and asking the instructor for a chance to drive. It paid off and I got a chance to straight line back. Next day I was on the list and added offset backing. Friday I made the list to go on the road driving. Friday traffic in Indianapolis is no joke but my instructorsaid I did a great job for never having driven before. Now that I've got the nerves worked out I'm ready to learn everything I can.

Not a happy camper. I knew I would have to take my permit test again, but now I find out Indiana requires you to take the operators test again too. I just want to scream! I know I can do this but it's just that I've been driving for 20+ yrs. and now I have to go backwards before I can go forward.

The day has finally arrived for me to get on the bus for Indy. I am so excited I couldn't sleep. Woke up at 4:30am and decided to repack the bag I've packed for the 5th time. My trucker friend laughed and said one more time ought to do it. They said I'd have to retake the permit test so I've started over studying here. It's only been a month since I took the test but nothing like keeping everything fresh.

Thanks for the advice. I've opted to go through Celadon and start on June 16.

Congratulations!!

I am currently looking to start my trucking career. I wanted to avoid some of the hiring freezes from Florida, not I didn't want it as my home state. I asked my ex's brother if I could use his address in Georgia. With a little effort I have a Georgia license and CDL permit. I intend to get a PO box to as a mailing address. Just make sure you trust the person with important documents

Thanks Starcar. I'm still in here studying and reading the forums. That's where I found out about hair testing. Don't really like the idea of being stuck with a stranger for any longer than training. I'm just willing to do whatever it (takes within reason) to learn to drive and be great at it. My permit is out of Georgia of some of the blocks of living in Florida. Don't really have a home state at the moment. I'm hoping to eventually settle in Texas. Right now I just want to drive. Any suggestions of good companies to start with?

Found this sight in January when I decided it was time for a change. Thanks to the CDL materials I passed my written tests and earned my permit with tanker and doubles endorsments (not quite ready for hazmat). My biggest fear was my criminal history (a lot of bad relationship choices). I found a website called Trucking Careers of America that helps people get started in the industry. I've been lurking in the forums and was prepared for the employment history (pulled tax records), called friends for references, and have a recent criminal background check that was done on me. A great guy named James McCormack called me and I gave him all this info and he told me I should be ok because everything was 10 yrs or older and it looks like I've gone the "straight and narrow". I had been considering Prime because of the school but he suggested CRST. Still not sure about that one but I have a friend in the industry that says he would have went with them if they hadn't told him he could train in Alabama and then change up at the last minute and told him he had to get on a bus to Iowa. Getting off track. My fear now is the drug testing. I stopped smoking beginning of February because I wanted this that badly. I'm 5'8" and 260 lbs and attempting to loose those 60. I've run into the problem before of fat cells dropping THC into my system and over the past year I've dropped 58 lbs. Now I'm hearing in the forums that they are doing hair follicle tests. I have short hair and cutting it is not a favorable option. My hair is only 6 1/2" at it's longest point. Iam giong to see if my doctor can have me tested but not sure if the insurance will pay for hair testing. Looking for any advice. I'm a single mother of 4 and have just sent my children to live with their father so I can pursue this career path and I don't want them to stay there any longer than they have to.