20 Y/O Needing Advise.
Topic 16038 | Page 1
Hello, So for the last couple of years now i've been interested in getting my CDL and having hiccups on when I should start the training. My problem is most companies want you to be either 21 or 23 years of age with minimum 3 months of experience to get hired and i'm neither. I would like to drive local trucks and obtain my class B at this local school. They say they guarantee jobs through their partnered companies but I can't afford a refresher course and not have employment right away. I don't mind going long haul as swift etc will hire no experience people and i'll just get my experience that way. Any response is appreciated.
How old are you, Aaron? You can drive local and be less than 21, though I think it would still be hard to find a job. Being 21 is better for the company, and besides, you can travel around the country then.
Any company that offers training should hire you right after your school, and after you get your CDL. The payback is you commit to work for them for a year or so, depending on your contract. You do get a CDL-A which covers more than the -B ticket gets you (And even local -A drivers make more!)
Trucking Truth focuses on those looking for a CDL-A license and an matching job. Some -A jobs can be with local companies, but you had better be sure you can operate the equipment, and can show them your stuff.
The best route is the company sponsored training , with OTR driving after. Once you have your year in, and the experience, you should be able to get that local job at the Budweiser distributor.
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.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
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.
Hello, So for the last couple of years now i've been interested in getting my CDL and having hiccups on when I should start the training. My problem is most companies want you to be either 21 or 23 years of age with minimum 3 months of experience to get hired and i'm neither. I would like to drive local trucks and obtain my class B at this local school. They say they guarantee jobs through their partnered companies but I can't afford a refresher course and not have employment right away. I don't mind going long haul as swift etc will hire no experience people and i'll just get my experience that way. Any response is appreciated.
How old are you, Aaron? You can drive local and be less than 21, though I think it would still be hard to find a job. Being 21 is better for the company, and besides, you can travel around the country then.
Any company that offers training should hire you right after your school, and after you get your CDL. The payback is you commit to work for them for a year or so, depending on your contract. You do get a CDL-A which covers more than the -B ticket gets you (And even local -A drivers make more!)
Trucking Truth focuses on those looking for a CDL-A license and an matching job. Some -A jobs can be with local companies, but you had better be sure you can operate the equipment, and can show them your stuff.
The best route is the company sponsored training , with OTR driving after. Once you have your year in, and the experience, you should be able to get that local job at the Budweiser distributor.
I'm 20 years old, 21 next june. I was planning on waiting till then to obtain my class A and get experience with swift. I came across a local local that said they can help me with my every need (local driving) jobs but i'm confused as most local jobs require experience that I do not have. Thanks for responding errol, seen a lot of topics you have helped resolve and appreciate the advise.
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.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
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.
Aaron has local needs:
I came across a local local that said they can help me with my every need (local driving) jobs but I'm confused as most local jobs require experience that I do not have
Tell us more. Even for local things, you'll get the right advice. And, being 20 y.o., like it says in your title 
now is the time to get your duckies in a row.
My guess is that you may have read these books:
- Truck Driver's Career Guide
- Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
- High Road Training Program
And you can get started on the High Road program so you can handle either the -A or the -B test.
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.
I think you should start studying now and get your CDL-A at 21. You would then have the option for many companies who will train you with little to no upfront costs. Read what Errol suggested, then look at Paid CDL Training Programs. 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.
Hey Aaron! I'm 20 myself and I'll be 21 in December. Im waiting until Im 21 but I've been blessed to be a yard dog and also a washer fueler, shuttling trucks around the yard and now I can back and feel comfortable doing so! So if you can man look for local work or just hang it out til next June. It'll be here before you know it! Hope this helps!
Oh yeah and if you can go to a driving school.. Though costly it'll give you more options from what I hear, But if you can get in somewhere without it and have long jevity then that's a blessing!
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Hello, So for the last couple of years now i've been interested in getting my CDL and having hiccups on when I should start the training. My problem is most companies want you to be either 21 or 23 years of age with minimum 3 months of experience to get hired and i'm neither. I would like to drive local trucks and obtain my class B at this local school. They say they guarantee jobs through their partnered companies but I can't afford a refresher course and not have employment right away. I don't mind going long haul as swift etc will hire no experience people and i'll just get my experience that way. Any response is appreciated.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles: