I just wanted to bump this up to make sure everyone saw it.
I also wanted to ask you guys to share a brief story of your time in a paid CDL training program so the people who are getting ready to enter these programs know what to expect.
Going through CDL training can be a scary thing at times. When you're going through it and times get tough it's good to be able to remember what others have said about their experiences to remind yourself that you're going to make it through just fine.
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
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.
I didn't go through paid CDL training, but even at the private school I went to I found would-be terminal rats. There were a lot of guys there because they weren't satisfied with what they were doing before but didn't seem like they'd be satisfied driving commercial, at any level.
I was /far/ more concerned about not being taught enough to pass my test though since I'd built this up to be my ticket to put my life together. When I finally took my test I nailed my pre-trip and backing but failed the driving portion three times. If you're ever in that spot all I can say is keep your head, keep your lines of communication open with the school for your options. If you've been a good student, most places will be willing to work with you up to the limit of whatever the state allows for testing.
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
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.
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We have a great new article from Old School:
Riding The Emotional Roller Coaster Of Paid CDL Training
Getting started in trucking is really tough. It's appalling how many people fail to get anywhere with it. In fact, nearly 50% of the people who begin their training through one of the paid CDL training programs never even manage to get their CDL! Heck, that's the easiest part of this career. Another 50% fail to complete their on-the-road training phase.
Why is getting started in trucking so tough? Well Old School does an awesome job of explaining why those first weeks will be so difficult and what you can do to get through it.
This article comes at a great time because we're having a forum conversation now about quitting your job and changing companies during paid CDL training.
Sticking with that first company for one full year is super important. We stress this constantly because we know how easily people become discouraged and disillusioned early on in their career. We've watched countless people work themselves into a panic over nothing, and the next thing you know they're on a bus going home or going to another company. It's a shame to see so many people either quit on themselves or quit their company because they don't have the right expectations or they're getting career advice from the wrong people.
Read Old School's article and then follow some of the links I put here. We hope you'll have the right expectations and the right goals when it's time for you to get started with your CDL training.
Riding The Emotional Roller Coaster Of Paid CDL Training
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.