Paid CDL Training For People Living In California?

Hi guys and gals,

Thanks for the great site. I've searched the forums but did not find anything conclusive. I'm currently residing in northern California and am seriously considering getting my CDL. I've applied to Prime and Veriha. Prime declined my application without any feedback. Only after I contacted the recruiter did he say they were not hiring in CA. Veriha also replied with the same. Looking through some of the CDL diaries I see that several people from California trained with Veriha and Prime. Does this mean that they have (in)frequent openings for new drivers?

Are there any paid CDL companies that currently hire from CA? On a related note, I really have no roots here. I've spent the last seven years working overseas and am only in CA as that's where my family is. So I'm relatively mobile. Has any OTR trucker use AirBNB in various cities to spend their downtime? I was thinking this could be an inexpensive way to work for a few years instead of paying for an apartment that I won't see too often.

Thanks for the feedback!

Jim

If you live in Southern California, Swift has a Training Facility in Fontana. Lots of freight in SoCal too!

Missed the part about you living in Northern California. They will pay to get you to a Training location and provide your lodging. You will be responsible for your own food. You will begin getting paid after the first 3 weeks of classroom and range training. Minimum wage for all on duty hours while with your Mentor. I am pleased with the training I received in Phoenix in 2016. Still with the Company. Good Luck in your search.

Use this link Apply For Paid CDL Training to fill out one application and have it sent to many companies. There are other companies not included in that but it should give you a start. A couple companies worth checking out that aren't listed are: Swift, Werner, CR England, CFI and Maverick. I wouldnt waste too much time researching companies at this point as not all companies are hiring from a certain area at this time (as you seen), and others wont hire for work history, traffic tickets, etc. Get some offers then narrow it down.

Do you have a preference of what you'd haul...reefer, dry van or flatbed? We have drivers who have found success at nearly every big company so dont pay attention to the negative reviews you read, most times they're written by someone who couldn't make it. A great example of this is Swift. If you look up swift you'll see everyone saying it's a terrible place. We have a moderator, G Town, who has been with them for 6 years and loves it. As stated above, tractor man has also been with swift for a while.

Has any OTR trucker use AirBNB in various cities to spend their downtime? I was thinking this could be an inexpensive way to work for a few years instead of paying for an apartment that I won't see too often.

we have a couple drivers here who live out of the truck. They use a family members address and then just get a hotel if they want out of the truck for a couple nights. The great thing about living out of the truck is you can take request your "home time" anywhere the company has freight. If you have a chance read Bretts (creator of site) book Becoming A Truck Driver: The Raw Truth About Truck Driving that you can read for free on the site. In the book he mentioned he would take time off in Vegas, New Orleans, and anywhere else he wanted. He was able to catch football games, and nascar races. The company simply finds you a load going to that area.

Prime is currently not accepting from CA, FL and GA. They may open spots in the future.

Prime is currently not accepting from CA, FL and GA. They may open spots in the future.

Thanks for the Info. Do they have a wait-list for people in these states or do I just need to touch base with them every week/month or so?

P.S. I want your cat! :)