We're currently living in Germany but are planning on moving back to the States.
If you are moving back to the States, is there a work history you can show while you were there previously? Also, if you worked in Germany, were there taxes you paid to the German government? If so, that would at least show you had a job, and were not unemployed.
Your German driving license will be useless. At this point I would look at the company-sponsored schools found on this site; from the main page goto "Trucking Schools," then scroll down to "Company-Sponsored CDL Training Programs," and then scroll down to "Trucking Companies Offering CDL Training." From the companies listed, starting from the top, begin calling each one. Ask for a recruiter, explain your situation, and hopefully you'll find one that will work with you. Don't call Wil-Trans , Jim Palmer, or Prime, I know that they require at least one year's previous driving experience in the States (Wil-Trans & Jim Palmer requires 3 yrs., Prime requires 1 yr).
If you do not have a VOIP phone in Germany, download the MagicApp app onto your smartphone (hopefully you have one!). You can make unlimited calls over the internet for free, for up to one year using the MagicApp app. I use it all the time (I'm currently in Ecuador, starting school in late March), and it works great. We also have a VOIP phone (Ooma), but my MagicApp app works better than our Ooma phone. I hope this helps, and good luck!
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
Darrel Wilson bought his first tractor in 1980 at age 20, but, being too young to meet OTR age requirements, he leased the truck out and hired a driver.
Through growth and acquisition, Wil-Trans now employs over 200 drivers, and has a long-standing partnership with Prime, Inc. to haul their refrigerated freight. The family of businesses also includes Jim Palmer Trucking and O & S Trucking.
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Hey,
I have a few questions that I'm hoping I can get some answers for. I'm a German citizen with a Green Card and an American wife. We're currently living in Germany but are planning on moving back to the States. I am looking for a company which offers paid CDL training but all of the companies I've found want a driving and work history. I can only show a clear German driving history. Not sure if that is good enough though. Work history and recommendations are also bad because they are German.
What if I can't find a company to pay for the CDL school/training without a work/driving history? What if I pay for it out of my own pocket? Will I be able to find companies once I have my CDL who will hire me even though I still won't be able to show a (US) driving or work history? Everyone has to start somewhere :) I just want to drive!
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles: