Hoping This Life Is For Me

Hello~ I am considering going to school for my CDL A. I am at a job now that I must stay at for 2 more years. Are there part time options out there for me to get my feet wet driving during the next two years?

Honestly, no there isn't. Part time in trucking is highly unusual and normally reserved for experienced drivers as maybe a fill-in for sick drivers or as a temporary seasonal worker, something like that. But no, it's highly unusual to find something part time in trucking, especially when you're new. Learning the trade is so involved and takes so much time that no one is likely to train a new driver for a part time position.

The best thing to do is come back here about 3 months before you're ready to get started and begin doing your research and studying.

Queenie, the ONLY part time cdl-a jobs that I personally know of are with charter bus companies like Cavallo Bus Lines. Mind you that part time doesn't mean a few hours a day, but rather a few days a week.. up to 14 hour days where you will be away from home. BTW these jobs don't count as OTR experience by trucking companies as you wouldn't be driving a combination vehicle.

I completely agree with Brett. Persue your cdl-a about 3 months before you are ready to make this a full time career.

Out of idle curiosity.

What kind of job do you "have to stay at" - and why?

Rick

Brett~Thank you so much for your reply. I really appreciate your advice. I will definetly continue to do research. Sue thank you for making me aware of other possible options. I just feel I could be doing something to gear me in the correct direction, to get on the road in the direction of my ultimate goal. :) Sue I was hoping you would reply lol I've been reading all your other replys. Rick ~ I work at a college which blesses me compensation to cover both my sons full tuitions. Thanks again to all! This site is beyond awesome!! Queenie

Out of idle curiosity.

What kind of job do you "have to stay at" - and why?

Rick

Out of idle curiosity.

What kind of job do you "have to stay at" - and why?

Rick

Honestly, no there isn't. Part time in trucking is highly unusual and normally reserved for experienced drivers as maybe a fill-in for sick drivers or as a temporary seasonal worker, something like that. But no, it's highly unusual to find something part time in trucking, especially when you're new. Learning the trade is so involved and takes so much time that no one is likely to train a new driver for a part time position.

The best thing to do is come back here about 3 months before you're ready to get started and begin doing your research and studying.

Brett~Thank you so much for your reply. I really appreciate your advice. I will definetly continue to do research. Sue thank you for making me aware of other possible options. I just feel I could be doing something to gear me in the correct direction, to get on the road in the direction of my ultimate goal. :) Sue I was hoping you would reply lol I've been reading all your other replys. Rick ~ I work at a college which blesses me compensation to cover both my sons full tuitions. Thanks again to all! This site is beyond awesome!! Queenie

Queenie, the ONLY part time cdl-a jobs that I personally know of are with charter bus companies like Cavallo Bus Lines. Mind you that part time doesn't mean a few hours a day, but rather a few days a week.. up to 14 hour days where you will be away from home. BTW these jobs don't count as OTR experience by trucking companies as you wouldn't be driving a combination vehicle.

I completely agree with Brett. Persue your cdl-a about 3 months before you are ready to make this a full time career.

School bus driving comes to mind. It is part time and they train, but they only get you a class B. If your schedule is flexible enough you could give it a shot. It would be better than nothing.

Thanks Paul. I appreciate your reply.

School bus driving comes to mind. It is part time and they train, but they only get you a class B. If your schedule is flexible enough you could give it a shot. It would be better than nothing.

School bus driving comes to mind. It is part time and they train, but they only get you a class B. If your schedule is flexible enough you could give it a shot. It would be better than nothing.

You might see if a warehouse will take you. If I remember correctly, so long as they don't leave the property, yard jockeys do not need a CDL. If you can get a job like that you will at least get the backing aspect of trucking down pretty well. Make sure they know why you want the job. Also, if they have their own fleet you could use it as a stepping stone into get into their fleet.

Hello~ I am considering going to school for my CDL A. I am at a job now that I must stay at for 2 more years. Are there part time options out there for me to get my feet wet driving during the next two years?

When I was being bussed to CDL school, I met someone who had a part time CDL job that hasn't been mentioned here, but it might not be feasible for you.

The person was a delivery driver - not delivering things inside trucks, they drove the trucks from the seller to the buyer. Old, new, semis, dump trucks, busses, RV's, fire trucks, mobile cranes, all sorts of stuff.

I have only met one person with that job, but I've never researched it either. The jobs might be fairly common. According to her, some of the vehicles didn't need a CDL (RV's), but a lot of them did. She had a CDLA and all certs so she could drive anything. I think there was a special license or permit for driving cranes on the highway too.

This job would likely not be open to a newbie driver for a lot of those vehicles. However, if you got your CDL, you might be able to deliver RV's, dump trucks, and some other vehicles without needing the same experience level as a combination vehicle. That would give you at least a little experience driving something large on the road.