Pre-truck Driver

Hello Ladies & Gentlemen,

Came across this website yesterday. Very glad I stumbled across it. The information found all on one website has been invaluable. I spent a few hours yesterday mulling over everything.

I didn’t realize there were so many CDL training companies available. I had no idea I had options. I have been “courting” Roehl Tranportation for several weeks. Scheduled to take my permit test on February 5th.

This is a total career change. Love seeing all the others who have made career changes too. It’s encouraging!!! I’m excited and fearful at the same time, but totally all in!!

Look forward to getting to know all of you.

Michie

Welcome driver! I am going to trucking school At USTDS wheat ridge Colorado. I Will have to pay Swift later for school and training. So far so good but if you want a one on one training, this school is not the school for you. We train in groups of 3/5. Classes begin early 7 until 5 p.m. Who would had thought driving was so exhausting, I sleep like a baby every lady because training takes a lot of you. Good luck!

Thank you! I don't mind the group training. Kinda looking forward to the idea of meeting a few good people who will be new drivers as well. Sounds like you are well on your way to driving. Best of luck to you as well.

Welcome driver! I am going to trucking school At USTDS wheat ridge Colorado. I Will have to pay Swift later for school and training. So far so good but if you want a one on one training, this school is not the school for you. We train in groups of 3/5. Classes begin early 7 until 5 p.m. Who would had thought driving was so exhausting, I sleep like a baby every lady because training takes a lot of you. Good luck!

Hi ladies and welcome!!!

Be sure to take a look around on our links and bkog articles. I have written a bunch about the lifestyle, sexism, relationships OTR and more.

Be sure to ask anything you want.

High Road CDL Training Program

Paid CDL Training Programs

Apply For Paid CDL Training

Truck Driver's Career Guide

I like the "pre-driver" title of this forum. I'm nearly at the end of the school year (I am an elementary school teacher) and will NOT go back in to the classroom. Too exhausting dealing with parents and their kids.

SO, major career change for me. I decided to go to my local community college to earn my CDL. This was based on a recommendation from a driver on the Truckers Helping Truckers FB page.

Good luck to you all and I look forward to words of advice and more recommendations!

Thanks, Kathy

Hi ladies. Michi, meeting other new drivers is fine, but just know, most won't make it any length of time, so don't get caught up in their drama and focus on staying the course and learning what you need to know to progress to the next step.

The community college route, while fine, isn't what we typically recommend. That's the route I took, because I wanted to be able to continue working at least part time. I wish I hadn't, quite honestly.

At a company sponsored school, you're going to get better training with little to nothing out of pocket and you're virtually guaranteed a job upon completion of school, orientation, and company training. Not only that, a company is going to have a vested interest in your success, where as a private school (not company) has your money up front. What happens if you don't pass your skills tests the first time? Or the second.. you get the idea. Often companies will also have stricter requirements than a private CDL school will have. What happens if you get your CDL and then can't find a job due to something you were not expecting at all? They have your money and you aren't their problem. I'm not saying they're all like that, but quite a few are. Those are for profit schools so the less they spend on equipment, instructors, fuel, etc.. the more they make.

Just something to think about.

Hi, Susan D! One other trucker cautioned against a trucking company CDL program because if they're not accredited and you switch companies, you'll be hard pressed to get a job. On the other hand, if you have earned your CDL and have a clean driving record, does it matter you might not have attended an accredited school?

So many variables!

Thanks for any words of wisdom!

Kathy

Kathleen, the whole idea of schools being accredited is bogus. There are not "accredited schools" and "non accredited schools." There's no such official overseeing body that accredits truck driving schools.

The way this works is you need to commit to one year at your first driving job. After one year, you have established yourself as having experience. That is what gets your foot in the door for another job. Drivers with no experience need the training certificate they receive from their driving school after obtaining their CDL to get a job. The Paid CDL Training Programs aren't going to give you that certificate until you've completed your contractual agreement with them.

The problem is that so many people have trouble making a go of this career that they quit their first company early on. They confuse their lack of success as a result of working for a bad company, while really they are still just a poorly performing rookie driver. Then they have trouble getting another job because they aren't considered experienced, they already bailed on the first company that took a chance on them, and they also now owe the money they were fronted for the training because the didn't honor their commitment to the contract they agreed to.

Here's a couple of articles that should help you figure this out...

Why I Prefer Paid CDL Training

Busting The Free Agent Myth

Old School is correct as always.. no such thing as accredited truck driving school. There is soooo much misinformation out there and that's why Brett created this website/forum to get the truth out there about trucking.

Company schools are an OUTSTANDING way to obtain your CDL-A. What's not to love? .. no out of pocket cost for school, and a guaranteed job with a company who has a vested interest in your success as you become a safe experienced driver! Heck, some companies will hire and pay you or advance you a little money (before your fully hired as a CDL driver) during the school portion of the process too. It's really a win-win situation for both you and the company willing to invest in you.