New Driver Advice
Topic 16937 | Page 1
Welcome Liam. For starters you'll certainly want to go through our Truck Driver's Career Guide. It's loaded with information about getting your trucking career underway, including how to choose a school, how to choose a job, and all kinds of information about life on the road.
1) We always recommend getting your Class A. So many times people get their Class B and then turn around and wind up right back in school for their Class A shortly after. There are a lot more better paying jobs for Class A than there is Class B.
2) Both Paid CDL Training Programs and Private Truck Driving Schools can be a great way to get your career underway. For most people it's a matter of finances. They simply don't have the cash to pay up front for private schooling and it's very difficult to get any type of loans. But really it comes down to your preferences. If your background is solid you won't have to worry about finding work at 21. There are plenty of companies that hire at 21.
3) There are plenty of companies that have options for getting your more home time if that's what you prefer. There are some companies that will get you home on weekends straight out of school.
4) You can find truck driving jobs by applying right here on our site:
You can also apply to companies directly through their own website if you see some that aren't listed on ours.
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.
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.
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Good evening I'm a 20 year old college student(graduating in winter) I'm currently working on my getting my cdl and i had a few questions i am trying to get answered. I turn 21 at the end of decemeber and i was planning on attending school the first week of january
1st. I was planning on getting my Class B with air brakes, hazmat , and passenger endorsements. I am attending CDS tractor trailer training school(Richmond campus) and i was told for $200 more i can just go and get my class A and that would be better in the long run. At the moment i just want to drive a box truck doing deliveries and what not. I'm not opposed to trailers and such i just don't really want something that big. But if that's where the money and better job opportunities are ill take it. Would it be worth it to get my class A even though i dont want to drive anything in the class A?
2nd.Is it better to learn from a company/ or go to a third party school? Currently i qualify for a grant so i would only be paying $1500. The main issue i'm worried about is trying to find a job that would hire a new 21 year old driver with little to no experience. Because of the grant i won't have to worry about debt but it would be irrelevant to have the license if i can't find a job.
3rd. I'm reading that a lot of first years there first year is mostly going to be on the road. Is that true?
4rd. How to find trucking jobs? Currently i've been looking at indeed and craigslist and it seems to boil down to Swift/Crst or needs 2/3 year experience
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
HAZMAT:
Hazardous Materials
Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts of especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under HAZMAT regulations