Trying To Begin A Career In The Commercial Driving Field, Any Advice On What Steps To Take Would Be Appreciated.
Topic 12314 | Page 2
The Company-Sponsored Training would be the fastest and cheapest route for you to take... Don't pay any attention to online reviews cuz there are a lot of people on this site that did the company sponsored route and it worked for them... I am one that also went that route and I'm coming up on 10 months with my company....
I'd call all of them and ask all the questions you have. That is your best bet...
Thank you, that helps a lot, much appreciated.
How does this company sponsored program work? Do they pretty much own you for a year? Do you have to move? Are you getting paid from day one of training? Reason I ask is I own a home & have a part time job so I'd obviously need to make adjustments.
Thanks for your response. Paul....
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.
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.
Paul B inquires further:
Yea I was looking at the company sponsored programs but they seem to be controversial & seem possibly sketchy, I'm not sure I am just going by reviews I read. Do you know people who went this route? If so, did it work out well for them? Do you have any suggestions of good, solid companies that would give good training? I'm good with being dedicated to them for a year or two or possibly make my career with them as long as I get trained well and they treat people half way decent. I was also considering going to a out side driving school, just not sure what I need in order to get the hands on. Yes you are correct I need the actual Class A experience, I have driving experience but it would be more with class B vehicles not actual big rigs. Thanks for the response. Paul
Paul, welcome.
There are numerous drivers on this forum who went the route of Company Sponsored Training and have successful careers in trucking. Myself included, I attended Swift's Richmond Academy and continue to drive for Swift Dedicated several years later. There is nothing controversial or sketchy with taking that path. Private schools are also a viable option, including community college offerings. There are benefits and drawbacks with either choice, but in the end you will learn what is necessary to pass the CDL skill tests.
The Company Sponsored School options we typically discuss on this forum are, in no particular order of preference: Prime, Swift, Roehl, CR England and CRST. There are others, but those are the most prevalent. My suggestion is to contact each of them directly and begin to understand how they instruct and teach initial CDL skills and then road train their drivers.
Here are some other links that might prove helpful:
Good luck, let us know if you have any further questions and how else we can help you.
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.
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.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
... What Brett said ...
To answer your question, where do I start? You found the right place. Welcome.
Put off your foreclosure with as many court continuances and avenues possible until you're able to catch up. They'd rather keep the same owner than have to find a new one. Make little payments if you must to show due diligence. Put finances out of your mind when behind that wheel.
Apply like crazy everywhere. Company-sponsored training is probably the quickest way to getting into the big rigs and receiving a first paycheck.
Forget your age. You're young in trucking and very hire-able. If you have your medical card, good enough.
This is feasible.
Go dawg, go!
-mountain girl
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.
The Company-Sponsored Training would be the fastest and cheapest route for you to take... Don't pay any attention to online reviews cuz there are a lot of people on this site that did the company sponsored route and it worked for them... I am one that also went that route and I'm coming up on 10 months with my company....
I'd call all of them and ask all the questions you have. That is your best bet...
Thank you, that helps a lot, much appreciated.
How does this company sponsored program work? Do they pretty much own you for a year? Do you have to move? Are you getting paid from day one of training? Reason I ask is I own a home & have a part time job so I'd obviously need to make adjustments.
Thanks for your response. Paul....
It differs from company to company but there is a definitely commitment in all cases. I can only share my experience with Swift's Academy in Richmond VA.
With Swift there are basically two parts to the training.
Part 1; School or Swift Academy prepares you to obtain the CDL class A license. Duration is about 3 to 3.5 weeks. Swift does not pay the student during schooling but they provide housing (dormitory style) and transportation if need be. There are kitchen facilities and refrigeration, but you will need to supply your own food.
Part 2; Mentoring or Road-Training occurs once the CDL is obtained. The student is placed with a certified mentor (trainer) on their truck for approximately 5-6 weeks in duration (depending on the student, the mentor, and the freight this duration can vary slightly). Swift pays the student during this time period for the time they are driving (roughly $10.00 per hour). The student is required to complete 200 hours of driving and no less than 40 documented backing maneuvers. The first 50 hours of drive time is fully supervised with the mentor riding in the passenger chair. Once both student and mentor agree, after 50 hours the student and mentor are then dispatched as a team and share driving duties. Student drives when the mentor sleeps, mentor drives when the student sleeps.
Once the student is close to the 200 hours, arrangements will be made to stop at a Swift terminal for one final road test, solo orientation and then truck assignment.
That about covers it. There is a driver on this forum named Murderspolywog. "MPW" is a current Swift mentor and I am sure he would be happy to provide further details. Errol V. and Don are also experienced Swift drivers.
We also have two Prime Trainers, Daniel and Bud. I would expect they will chime in as well.
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.
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
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.
Paul B inquires further:
Yea I was looking at the company sponsored programs but they seem to be controversial & seem possibly sketchy, I'm not sure I am just going by reviews I read. Do you know people who went this route? If so, did it work out well for them? Do you have any suggestions of good, solid companies that would give good training? I'm good with being dedicated to them for a year or two or possibly make my career with them as long as I get trained well and they treat people half way decent. I was also considering going to a out side driving school, just not sure what I need in order to get the hands on. Yes you are correct I need the actual Class A experience, I have driving experience but it would be more with class B vehicles not actual big rigs. Thanks for the response. Paul
Paul, welcome.
There are numerous drivers on this forum who went the route of Company Sponsored Training and have successful careers in trucking. Myself included, I attended Swift's Richmond Academy and continue to drive for Swift Dedicated several years later. There is nothing controversial or sketchy with taking that path. Private schools are also a viable option, including community college offerings. There are benefits and drawbacks with either choice, but in the end you will learn what is necessary to pass the CDL skill tests.
The Company Sponsored School options we typically discuss on this forum are, in no particular order of preference: Prime, Swift, Roehl, CR England and CRST. There are others, but those are the most prevalent. My suggestion is to contact each of them directly and begin to understand how they instruct and teach initial CDL skills and then road train their drivers.
Here are some other links that might prove helpful:
Good luck, let us know if you have any further questions and how else we can help you.
Great, thank you I appreciate the response. I will check out the links you provided, thanks.
Actually I currently posses a class A CDL with tanker, doubles & triples endorsements, problem is I have little to no actual experienced driving class A vehicles. I've drove plenty class B trucks just not the big rigs. So I really don't need training to get the license I just need to drive & learn all the stuff that goes with the driving part to get confident & comfortable to safely drive these vehicles. I don't want to waste time studying for a test I don't need to take being I have the license and I am not sure if a refresher course would be enough? Anyway thanks again for the response Paul
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.
Doubles:
Refers to pulling two trailers at the same time, otherwise known as "pups" or "pup trailers" because they're only about 28 feet long. However there are some states that allow doubles that are each 48 feet in length.
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.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
... What Brett said ...
To answer your question, where do I start? You found the right place. Welcome.
Put off your foreclosure with as many court continuances and avenues possible until you're able to catch up. They'd rather keep the same owner than have to find a new one. Make little payments if you must to show due diligence. Put finances out of your mind when behind that wheel.
Apply like crazy everywhere. Company-sponsored training is probably the quickest way to getting into the big rigs and receiving a first paycheck.
Forget your age. You're young in trucking and very hire-able. If you have your medical card, good enough.
This is feasible.
Go dawg, go!
-mountain girl
lol, thanks that was very cool, you made me laugh I need that. I'm not actually in trouble with my bill as of yet, getting close & hoping to avoid this, it's been beyond stressful. If I am in the process of learning the driving career my focus will be solely on that, bills and everything else will become secondary being I need this job in order to pay them bills. Thanks for the funny response, that is a needed thing, laughter. Paul.
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.
Paul B inquires further:
Paul, welcome.
There are numerous drivers on this forum who went the route of Company Sponsored Training and have successful careers in trucking. Myself included, I attended Swift's Richmond Academy and continue to drive for Swift Dedicated several years later. There is nothing controversial or sketchy with taking that path. Private schools are also a viable option, including community college offerings. There are benefits and drawbacks with either choice, but in the end you will learn what is necessary to pass the CDL skill tests.
The Company Sponsored School options we typically discuss on this forum are, in no particular order of preference: Prime, Swift, Roehl, CR England and CRST. There are others, but those are the most prevalent. My suggestion is to contact each of them directly and begin to understand how they instruct and teach initial CDL skills and then road train their drivers.
Here are some other links that might prove helpful:
Good luck, let us know if you have any further questions and how else we can help you.
Great, thank you I appreciate the response. I will check out the links you provided, thanks.
Actually I currently posses a class A CDL with tanker, doubles & triples endorsements, problem is I have little to no actual experienced driving class A vehicles. I've drove plenty class B trucks just not the big rigs. So I really don't need training to get the license I just need to drive & learn all the stuff that goes with the driving part to get confident & comfortable to safely drive these vehicles. I don't want to waste time studying for a test I don't need to take being I have the license and I am not sure if a refresher course would be enough? Anyway thanks again for the response Paul
Sorry I must have missed that. When you are ready I would still contact some of the companies mentioned and see how they are willing to work with you.
Good luck.
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.
Doubles:
Refers to pulling two trailers at the same time, otherwise known as "pups" or "pup trailers" because they're only about 28 feet long. However there are some states that allow doubles that are each 48 feet in length.
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.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
The Company-Sponsored Training would be the fastest and cheapest route for you to take... Don't pay any attention to online reviews cuz there are a lot of people on this site that did the company sponsored route and it worked for them... I am one that also went that route and I'm coming up on 10 months with my company....
I'd call all of them and ask all the questions you have. That is your best bet...
Thank you, that helps a lot, much appreciated.
How does this company sponsored program work? Do they pretty much own you for a year? Do you have to move? Are you getting paid from day one of training? Reason I ask is I own a home & have a part time job so I'd obviously need to make adjustments.
Thanks for your response. Paul....
It differs from company to company but there is a definitely commitment in all cases. I can only share my experience with Swift's Academy in Richmond VA.
With Swift there are basically two parts to the training.
Part 1; School or Swift Academy prepares you to obtain the CDL class A license. Duration is about 3 to 3.5 weeks. Swift does not pay the student during schooling but they provide housing (dormitory style) and transportation if need be. There are kitchen facilities and refrigeration, but you will need to supply your own food.
Part 2; Mentoring or Road-Training occurs once the CDL is obtained. The student is placed with a certified mentor (trainer) on their truck for approximately 5-6 weeks in duration (depending on the student, the mentor, and the freight this duration can vary slightly). Swift pays the student during this time period for the time they are driving (roughly $10.00 per hour). The student is required to complete 200 hours of driving and no less than 40 documented backing maneuvers. The first 50 hours of drive time is fully supervised with the mentor riding in the passenger chair. Once both student and mentor agree, after 50 hours the student and mentor are then dispatched as a team and share driving duties. Student drives when the mentor sleeps, mentor drives when the student sleeps.
Once the student is close to the 200 hours, arrangements will be made to stop at a Swift terminal for one final road test, solo orientation and then truck assignment.
That about covers it. There is a driver on this forum named Murderspolywog. "MPW" is a current Swift mentor and I am sure he would be happy to provide further details. Errol V. and Don are also experienced Swift drivers.
We also have two Prime Trainers, Daniel and Bud. I would expect they will chime in as well.
Awesome, thanks. I'm very impressed with the responses, this is great! So the first part with swift is non-paid but it is the preparation for the CDL, right? I already have a class A CDL with tanker, doubles & triples endorsements so would this mean I can skip the first part & go straight to the driving part? You said 10 per hour, how long until you get a pay increase & how much? Not trying to make money a big issue specially at the beginning but I do have bills like a mortgage & HOA dues etc & would need to know what to expect & make arrangements & possibly borrow money, what ever I need to do to make this work I'll do. Thanks for the response, very much appreciate this. Paul......
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.
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
Doubles:
Refers to pulling two trailers at the same time, otherwise known as "pups" or "pup trailers" because they're only about 28 feet long. However there are some states that allow doubles that are each 48 feet in length.
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.
Paul asks:
Awesome, thanks. I'm very impressed with the responses, this is great! So the first part with swift is non-paid but it is the preparation for the CDL , right? I already have a class A CDL with tanker, doubles & triples endorsements so would this mean I can skip the first part & go straight to the driving part? You said 10 per hour, how long until you get a pay increase & how much? Not trying to make money a big issue specially at the beginning but I do have bills like a mortgage & HOA dues etc & would need to know what to expect & make arrangements & possibly borrow money, what ever I need to do to make this work I'll do. Thanks for the response, very much appreciate this. Paul......
You would be paid the base CPM of 35-36 (??? since I am paid as a Dedicated Driver my CPM is different, so I am guessing) once you are solo.
I cannot say for sure if you can skip the schooling, I would call around, tell them your story and see what they say. Case by case, you might be good to go.
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.
Doubles:
Refers to pulling two trailers at the same time, otherwise known as "pups" or "pup trailers" because they're only about 28 feet long. However there are some states that allow doubles that are each 48 feet in length.
CPM:
Cents Per Mile
Drivers are often paid by the mile and it's given in cents per mile, or cpm.
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The Company-Sponsored Training would be the fastest and cheapest route for you to take... Don't pay any attention to online reviews cuz there are a lot of people on this site that did the company sponsored route and it worked for them... I am one that also went that route and I'm coming up on 10 months with my company....
I'd call all of them and ask all the questions you have. That is your best bet...
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
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.