I Really Could Use A Few Recommendations
Topic 32559 | Page 2
Thanks guys! This is great! I really appreciate it, and I could use a few more!
When I decided I wanted to become a professional CDL driver, I thought paying for school was the way to go. When I began doing my research, I decided it wasn't feasible to go to school and work full time. It also didn't make sense because after graduation and getting hired, I'd have to do the same training anyway. I accepted an offer for company sponsored training and saved my money. I received top notch training and have zero regrets. I love what I do and I can support my family doing it.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Company Sponsored Training:
A Company-Sponsored Training Program is a school that is owned and operated by a trucking company.
The schooling often requires little or no money up front. Instead of paying up-front tuition you will sign an agreement to work for the company for a specified amount of time after graduation, usually around a year, at a slightly lower rate of pay in order to pay for the training.
If you choose to quit working for the company before your year is up, they will normally require you to pay back a prorated amount of money for the schooling. The amount you pay back will be comparable to what you would have paid if you went to an independently owned school.
Company-sponsored training can be an excellent way to get your career underway if you can't afford the tuition up front for private schooling.
Early 2019, when I finally decided to pull the trigger and get into driving, my 1st route was thru my local WIOA program. Since I was broke as a joke, and fed up. After jumping thru all the programs hoops, and then wasting too much time with the local "school" I went to. I don't remember "How" I found TT, but once I did, and got to looking around, and reading, I never looked elsewhere for info !! I'd found ALL I needed here, to gain knowledge on the best way to do this career change, THANKS !!
After filling out the 1 stop shop for companies link here, got 5 or 6 companies responding. So after some more digging, to find "MY" solution, I'd went with CRST. 1) because it was closest to me, 2) because I could stay on site, at their terminal in Riverside, Cal. 3) I had my license, in 10 days, and didn't waste months like the 1st so called "School" I went to !! 4) it ALL worked out in the end, and I have NO complaints.......
Lastly, I appreciate everyone here's knowledge, advice, and the exceptional input, and testing Trucking Truth supplies to everyone, who wants to actually USE it lol......Seriously, I don't think ANYTHING out there on the web, even comes close to providing what TT does !!
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
WIOA:
WIOA - Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (aka WIA)
Formerly known as the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), the WIOA was established in 1998 to prepare youth, adults and dislocated workers for entry and reentry into the workforce. WIOA training funds are designed to serve laid-off individuals, older youth and adults who are in need of training to enter or reenter the labor market. A lot of truck drivers get funding for their CDL training through WIOA.
I used the high road program to get my CDL permit, it worked wonders and I learned instead of just memorizing information.
I was going to go through a private trucking school but after reading the reviews of companies that provide training here I decided to go with company provided training. Not a day goes by that I can't express my gratitude for the information here.
Davy
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
It's difficult to find the truth about almost anything online. We often have to wade through rivers of misinformation to find reliable information. Luckily I found Trucking Truth while searching for information on how to get started in the driving industry. The information is factual and provided by real, successful drivers. Plus they made it easy to apply to several companies all at once who offer CDL Training at no cost to the student. TruckingTruth.com has continued to be my best source of information for all things trucking related.
-Mike Diehl: Professional Driver (5 years experience)
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
I went through Prime’s PSD and TNT program. In addition to the fact that I did not have to pay out-of-pocket for the training, in three weeks I had passed my CDL test and started getting paid. Plus, at Prime, the transition from training to driver is seamless. After you upgrade to solo, you’re driving the same trucks, using the same Qualcomm , hauling the same loads from and to the same customers as you do in training.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Qualcomm:
Omnitracs (a.k.a. Qualcomm) is a satellite-based messaging system with built-in GPS capabilities built by Qualcomm. It has a small computer screen and keyboard and is tied into the truck’s computer. It allows trucking companies to track where the driver is at, monitor the truck, and send and receive messages with the driver – similar to email.PSD:
Prime Student Driver
Prime Inc has a CDL training program and the first phase is referred to as PSD. You'll get your permit and then 10,000 miles of on the road instruction.
The following is from Prime's website:
Prime’s PSD begins with you obtaining your CDL permit. Then you’ll go on the road with a certified CDL instructor for no less than 75 hours of one-on-one behind the wheel training. After training, you’ll return to Prime’s corporate headquarters in Springfield, Missouri, for final CDL state testing and your CDL license.
Obtain CDL Permit / 4 Days
- Enter program, study and test for Missouri CDL permit.
- Start driving/training at Prime Training Center in Springfield, Missouri.
- Work toward 40,000 training dispatched miles (minimum) with food allowance while without CDL (Food allowance is paid back with future earnings).
On-the-Road Instruction / 10,000 Miles
- Train with experienced certified CDL instructor for 3-4 weeks in a real world environment.
- Get 75 hours of behind-the-wheel time with one-on-one student/instructor ratio.
- Earn 10,000 miles toward total 40,000 miles needed.
TNT:
Trainer-N-Trainee
Prime Inc has their own CDL training program and it's divided into two phases - PSD and TNT.
The PSD (Prime Student Driver) phase is where you'll get your permit and then go on the road for 10,000 miles with a trainer. When you come back you'll get your CDL license and enter the TNT phase.
The TNT phase is the second phase of training where you'll go on the road with an experienced driver for 30,000 miles of team driving. You'll receive 14¢ per mile ($700 per week guaranteed) during this phase. Once you're finished with TNT training you will be assigned a truck to run solo.
A general comment about Trucking Truth. I haven’t been around as long as many on this forum, but during my time, I’ve seen the personality conflicts. People come and go, often based on conflict with Brett or the other moderators. Just recently, two contributors declared they were leaving, but then continued to contribute.
Regardless of what anyone may think about Brett, he has created a great resource. When I started my research into trucking, I went to an “introduction to trucking” class at my community college. The instructor recommended Trucking Truth.
And as I stated in the meme above, Brett offers this service for free. Many people gripe about how everything has become subscription based. Even when you buy a car now, you have to pay a subscription for the heated seats. Really!? Brett has asked people to post reviews about paid CDL. Apparently, it will help his business. I know there are many more who have benefited from this website than have posted so far. If you want to continue to have free resources like Trucking Truth, take the time to post.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
I’m here, just been really busy relearning reefers, lol.
I found this site many years ago looking for honest information regarding the trucking industry. TT not only provided terrific information, taught me about Company Sponsered programs I didn’t have to spend a bunch of money on, but also prepared me through the High Road training modules. All for free!!!
I attended Roehl Transport’s sponsered school in 2013, and had a job waiting after graduation. Got me off to a great and successful career.
Reefer:
A refrigerated trailer.
“I used the High Roads Training Program to prepare for my Commercial Learners Permit exams. I then used the Trucking Truth application to apply for paid CDL training. I received contacts from recruiters very quickly. I completed CDL training and new driver training with a mega carrier in 2022. I’m very pleased with the free service from Trucking Truth.”
Dennis Longhorn
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
New Reply:
New! Check out our help videos for a better understanding of our forum features
Preview:
Why Join Trucking Truth?
- The High Road Training Program
- The High Road Article Series
- The Friendliest Trucker's Forum Ever!
- Email Updates When New Articles Are Posted
Apply For Paid CDL Training Through TruckingTruth
Did you know you can fill out one quick form here on TruckingTruth and apply to several companies at once for paid CDL training? Seriously! The application only takes one minute. You will speak with recruiters today. There is no obligation whatsoever. Learn more and apply here:
TT On Facebook
Like many, my chosen path was Company Sponsored schooling/training.
Attended Swift’s Richmond academy and the subsequent road training (mentoring). If I had to do it over, the path with Swift would again be my first choice. No regrets.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.