My Regular Class C Is Only 12 Days Old

I was told I need one-year driving experience before I can go any further to get a class a, I need some help and advice, what can I do in the meantime that would pay me, and give me some trucking experience at the same time???????

Hi Matthew.

Is this your first license ever? If so, the best thing you can do for your future in trucking is keep it sparkling clean. Protect it as if it was your commercial license already, in essence it is a huge step in the process.

Also, stay employed at all costs, and if you're not or self employed or caring for someone, maintain lots of documents and contact information. Trucking companies want to know you have been working or staying busy one way or another and not out of the country, climbing the corporate ladder of Al Qaeda.

As always, study hard here with the high road training program and keep asking all your questions in the general forum.

Welcome!

On top of what Spaceman stated, you need to get daily driving experience to build your basic skills. Try looking into local non-CDL delivery jobs in vans or small trucks. Driving with weight either in the truck or being towed changes how the vehicle can be driven. With weight you need more room to stop and you have to take turns slower. You also need to learn how to rely on your side mirrors to be aware of whats around you and to reverse into a spot. Local Mulch/top soil delivery job would be good to learn these skills, the trucks are small enough for a new driver to handle but hold enough weight for you to get a feel for it

Agreed. If this is your first DL EVER, it's going to be hard for you to get CDL A training. Even most private schools , which you pay for will want at minimum your class C to be no less than one year old.

Speaking of private schooling, dont do that. Go to a company paid CDL training. There are lots of resources on this website about that and explains the difference between the two.

You can read my diary under the CDL training diaries to see the utter fiasco that was my private training experience. Use the wisdom of your elders.

3 things

1) Keep your DL record free and clear for at minimum 1 year. No speeding, reckless driving, and for Christ sake man - absolutely positively 100 percent NO DUIs. You get a DUI you can basically kiss that CDL A goodbye for at minimum 5 years as most commerical insurances wont even consider you thus allowing you to drive for most carriers. If you imbibe every now and then be smart - UBER, LYFFT, or go to store and bring it back home.

2) Find a job and keep it - warehouse work, parts store, heck even a call center if you must, be productive. Do something it looks better for you.

3) Stay on this web site , research and listen and when it comes time, go to a Company paid and sponsored CDL training. If I had taken this point more seriously, I wouldn't be in the position I am today. Read Moes CDL diary under the CDL diary page.

Best of luck

Moe

Hi Matthew.

Is this your first license ever? If so, the best thing you can do for your future in trucking is keep it sparkling clean. Protect it as if it was your commercial license already, in essence it is a huge step in the process.

Also, stay employed at all costs, and if you're not or self employed or caring for someone, maintain lots of documents and contact information. Trucking companies want to know you have been working or staying busy one way or another and not out of the country, climbing the corporate ladder of Al Qaeda.

As always, study hard here with the high road training program and keep asking all your questions in the general forum.

Welcome!

Amazon Prime has many, many contractors delivering their packages, door-to-door...no CDL required to operate a step-van.

Might be a good place to start.

Do you happen to know if you drive an Amazon provided van or do you have to use your own?

Amazon Prime has many, many contractors delivering their packages, door-to-door...no CDL required to operate a step-van.

Might be a good place to start.

Do you happen to know if you drive an Amazon provided van or do you have to use your own

Both. Also private fleet owners who lease onto Amazon hire as well. The bigger the city you live near the more opportunities there will be.

Moe, go onto ziprecruiter and enter amazon delivery into search bar. There will be listings for Amazon itself as well as their contractors. Pay in Philly area is $16-20 hr, roughly 50 hrs per week