Applying To CDL School In The Winter Vs Spring

Hello all, I'm looking forward to getting started in the trucking industry, But just wondering what are the more experience members thoughts on applying to CDL School in the winter vs spring, Any and all comments would be greatly appreciated, Thanks

Hello Michael, welcome to Trucking Truth. I started at Swift's Academy last year in December. By March I was a regular OTR driver. Generally, shipping is slower in January and February, but it picks up from there on into summer.

I figure that getting started in the spring you can learn the ropes as business picks up. You will really get rolling in the summer, the busiest season for trucking.

Have you checked out Brett's Book, the Truck Driver's Career Guide and the award winning High Road Training Program?

Thank you for your reply Erroll V. No I have not checked out Brett's book as of yet but I sure will do so now, Thank you so much!

Welcome Michael. That's a good question and it's one we've pondered a few times before but I don't feel there's really a true consensus on it.

The obvious concern is starting your career in the winter. One the one hand if you start in the winter you're going to have a trainer with you in the beginning so you'll have someone there to guide you through some winter weather.

If you start in the summer, by the time winter arrives you'll already be solo so there won't be anyone there with you in the winter weather. But then again you'll have some experience under your belt by the time that snow arrives.

I really don't think it matters too much to be honest. There's a steady flow of new drivers coming into the industry throughout the year. I really don't think there's a bad time of year to get started in the industry. It's definitely slower just after Christmas, especially for many of the dry van companies, but that's no reason to sit it out until spring.

I say get started whenever you feel the time is right in your life. If that time is right now then grab your jacket and go get em! If you think you'd be better off waiting a little bit before getting started then so be it. Trucking will be ready for you whenever you're ready to get started.

I believe the safest path is to go through winter with a trainer.

I really liked started in the winter. I went through company sponsered training so January 2015 was all trucking school and then the first half of February I was out with my OTR trainer. It was pretty nerve wracking at the time driving in all of that snow and ice, but we did skid pad and it was great getting all of that winter driving experience when I still had mentors around to guide me through it and give me tips. I went solo the last week of February this year. There was still snow, but the worst of it was over and now that winter is here again I have a lot of solo miles under my belt and feel ready to take on the snow and ice on my own.

I have heard before that freight is slower in the winter. When I was out with my OTR trainer I must have lucked out. I was out 8 days and we ran hard. I drove 3400 miles and my trainer ended up having to drive for a few hours most days as well to get the loads done.