Husband/ Wife Team Drivers

My husband and I are considering being team drivers. He got his CDL in December and took a local job that was supposed to be delivering trucks to customers ( the company customizes trucks w/ cranes etc). He has been there 9 weeks and has only delivered ONE truck. The pay is hourly $18. The problem is that he is bored out of his mind. They literally just have him sweeping, washing trucks, etc. In the meantime, he isn't getting any experience. He says he would like for us to team drive ( I don't currently have a CDL).

What are some recommendations on getting into team driving? Would he need to go and get an OTR job for a while before I get my CDL in order for us to team? What kind of experience do companies require the team to collectively have, in order to team drive?

We are in Chattanooga, TN. I called and checked w/ Covenant Transport and they said he would have to drive for 10 months before he could be my trainer. Any advice would be appreciated.

He would have to drive 10 months there to be your trainer. Otherwise you would just train separately then team up after training is complete.

So do you think if he was already working there (say for 3 months) and I got my CDL and went through the 165 hours of training, then they would allow us to drive together? He just wouldn't necessarily be able to train me that soon?

First question you have to ask yourself is do YOU want to be an OTR truck driver? What kind of research have you done to see if you can deal with the rigors of this industry? Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of great things about this job that are very fulfilling. At the same time, are you willing to deal with the growing pains to get to a happy medium.

I don't have the links saved on this phone but hopefully someone can post them for you to read through & make up your own mind. I was going to say what LDRSHIP already said & would recommend training separately. A rookie training another rookie is never a good thing.

There are some previous conversations on this subject & would recommend you use the search bar at the top of the page to find them.

Here's a quick one I found

You'd have to go with a trainer first. Even after you go through school, there's still a ton of stuff to learn. Some of it will be company specific, but mostly it's just to help you make the transition into the job. It's really tough getting this career started, and they want to help you get started in a way that will help you succeed.

So do you think if he was already working there (say for 3 months) and I got my CDL and went through the 165 hours of training, then they would allow us to drive together? He just wouldn't necessarily be able to train me that soon?

Why pay for CDL school when there's plenty of companies willing to train you both & get you working as soon as your training is done.

He would still need to go out with a trainer even though he has his CDL. While you would work on getting your license & on the job training with another trainer. Both of you will be earning while training.

Not trying to convince you either way. Just giving you options.

Hi did you try Prime Inc. You guys should apply there together. Once applied and selected you both can go for 1 week orientation together. After that he will start his 40K training with a trainer and you will go for 3 to 4 weeks of CDL training. After you get your CDL you will go for your 30K training w/ a trainer. He will get a guaranteed $600 a week while in training and you will get a guranteed $700 a week in your 30K training period. You guys probably will finish your training at same time and after that I think you both can start team driving.

Here is a linkPrime Inc CDL Training

Emily, I suggest you and your husband go through these links

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road CDL Training Program
• CDL Practice Tests

Then look for Paid CDL Training Programs. As others have said your fastest way to teaming is to start solo together then team after training. He basically has zero experience and will be considered that by OTR companies. I was trained by and drive for CFI. He would probably have to go out with a trainer for at least 7500 miles then upgrade to a solo driver. You would go through a 3 or 4 week school then at least 7500 miles with a trainer. Once you upgrade you could just get on his truck and start teaming. At CFI your contract would be six months as a team driver. We train as solo drivers with no team training. You would drive all the miles with the trainer. We haul dry van. Good luck.

Thank you for all of the GREAT information! Does anyone know of any companies that will train teams together? Or is that unheard of?

Thank you for all of the GREAT information! Does anyone know of any companies that will train teams together? Or is that unheard of?

I'm thinking it's nearly impossible.