Who Is Stuck In School With No CDL Permit?

Whether you are in private school or a company sponsored program- we are the forgotten future truckers stuck in the storm of the century. I for one am certainly more than ready to take my permit test and move into the next phase of training. In Minnesota, our wonderful (dripping with sarcasm) Governor is actually considering extending the state shutdown even longer! There is no solution in site. One of the local schools issued this statement a few days ago:

There is no progress to report on the closing of the State of Minnesota DVS locations that provide the CDL Permit Testing. Three weeks ago we were told by the Minnesota Trucking Association that the Department of Public Safety would be making a CDL Permit Test available online but that has not happened. We have reached out to the Director of Driver and Vehicle Services, Emma Corrie, asking for an update but she has not replied to our request. We have also been asking our students to reach out to their state Representatives and let them know about the problem. The Minnesota DVS is providing CDL road tests. They have been very resourceful in coming up with a method of testing that protects all concerned from Covid-19. It stands to reason that DVS could be just as resourceful and come up with a method of providing safe CDL Permit Testing. There are well paying truck driving jobs available today. It would be helpful if every one reading this story would reach out to their state reps and let them know about the roadblock that new drivers are dealing with and ask for a solution.

I found myself emailing my state senator and house rep a short note, which quickly turned into a long letter within minutes of reading that. I will also add that I have never contacted my elected officials before about anything!

Who else is stuck in the mud? What are you doing about it?

I am not in school, but I am getting cranky about it. I have been studying the High Road Training program here (great resource). My original plan was to start once my daughter graduated high school in 2017. Life happens and it was put off. I made up my mind before my birthday in Feb this year that it was going to happen. Started studying and reading. I planned on going in May after my pseudo-daughter graduated from college with her masters. Then BAM!!!! nope not gonna happen. Schneider is not holding the training program anymore. So much for Plan A. Plan- B Prime... a little longer training program so I am OK with that. I decided to hold off until end of June when the fiscal year ends so I get my bonus where I am now. Called BMV yesterday to ask a couple of questions. They are not sure when they will open back up and there is a wait list for CDL testing. I planned on starting the process with Prime in mid June with a plan to head out in mid July. I am not sure what will happen now as everything is still closed down. Just becomes a waiting game..... grrrrrr... I am so ready for change and get out of Mental Health work....