Questions From A Total Noob

Hello everyone. First, I'd like to apologize if I'm posting my questions improperly. I'm brand new to this forum and I'm not at all familiar with the etiquette or how to navigate this site. Please be patient with me as I only intend to learn and I have no desire to break protocol.

Now for my question:

I was recently accepted into a CDL school at no charge to myself aside from testing fees, physical & drug testing. I will begin school on September 25th and although I'm fairly certain that I would like to drive for GP Transco eventually, I will need to gain some quality experience before they will even consider me for employment. Would any of you be willing to suggest some companies to start off with so I can develop a desirable record to increase my chances of obtaining employment with a good company one day? If you wouldn't mind, I would really appreciate pros and cons as well.

If it helps, I am located in San Bernardino County California. I am willing and able to commute.

Please ask me any questions if I've left out any relevant information that would help.

Thank you all in advance! I look forward to learning with and from all of you, and I hope to earn my place amongst you!

Have a great day and stay safe!

Charles, welcome!

Is the school you are going to attend affiliated with any company?

Some private schools will have recruiters come in at some point and give a short presentation about their company. If that happens where you attend, it will be your opportunity to get connected to a company. Just make sure any company you apply to is reputable, like all of the mega carriers are. Don’t pay any attention to any talk about “leasing”. What you will want is a good, solid, W2 company/job. And don’t be too picky, those jobs are scarce right now. You just need a company that will nurse you through your first year until you learn what’s best for you.

Your school should be your first resource for helping you get your first job, so see what they do to help their students.

Not to worry, Charles, you have come to the right place -Trucking Truth. This forum is a level table - no super-user will "jump" on you.

So you signed onto a CDL school that does not charge you, yourself. Who is footing the bill? I can understand the no out-of-pocket deal, I did that with Swift. Is it really financed? Generally when you do sign on with a company they can arrange to pay out tuition. The trade off is they will deduct payments for about a year. But then you are driving, starting a fabulous career. This kind of arrangement is a good deal. Do not let anyone talk you out of it by claiming you are "chained" to the company.

Trucking Truth has a ton of resources for new students and rookie drivers. Be sure to touch on the hamburger menu (☰) a the top left and poke around.

As for your location, there are many major carriers with terminals all around you, from Jurupa to Temecula. Check out companies here: Trucking Company Reviews. Even apply for a job (Now is not too early.)

Best of luck, and don't be a stranger.

"Is the school you are going to attend affiliated with any company?"

Thank you for your reply, BK!

No, it's not a company affiliated CDL program. It's a school offered through a local community college. It's a free program and in very high demand so I consider myself mighty lucky to have been accepted... Especially since I don't have to endure what I've been told amounts to endentured servitude once licensed.

Yes... as I understand it, the school will have recruiters available. I just want to ensure that I'm adequately prepared to ask the right questions and make smart decisions so I can become the best driver I can be. I was a boy scout in my youth so I have a deep ingrained need to be prepared. Thank you for the solid advice. I assure that I have no desire to purchase/ lease a truck at this time. Maybe after a few years once I've gained the necessary skills and experience. I want to be confident that I know the ins and outs of the industry, and accrue a sizeable savings before I take that plunge.

I suppose I'll just need to be more patient and see what all the school has to offer. I don't mean to put the cart before the horse. I'm just excited and I want to set myself up for success.

Thank you again for your input and your time. It's greatly appreciated!

Thank you for your responses!

I was fortunate enough to get into a CDL training program sponsored by the State of California, and taught at a nearby community college.

I was looking into the company sponsored programs when I received word that I was accepted into the state sponsored program.

I really appreciate the warm reception from you guys. I look forward to keeping everyone posted as I embark on this new journey.

Thanks again! Stay safe out there!

So, you have your schooling all set, good for you. As you progress in school you will have questions that you can post here and get solid answers.

Also, when you start trying to decide on a company you can post the companies name and see if someone here has knowledge about it.

And keep in mind that any company will only be as good as you are yourself in many respects, so try to excel while in school.

Charles is stoked:

I suppose I'll just need to be more patient and see what all the school has to offer. ... I'm just excited and I want to set myself up for success.

Yes, keep your eyes on the goal. But in reality, the school will offer you the basic knowledge to pass the state CDL test. That is it. However that is what opens the door to your new career. The whole test is pass/fail, just like your regular driver license test was. Once you sign on with a company, your real training will begin. I tell my students the CDL license only proves you can drive an 18 wheeler safely. It takes more road miles with a trainer to turn a truck driver into a trucker.

I have taught CDL classes in California (among other places, in Muscoy, just down from Cajon Pass). Pay attention in the pre-trip classes. The people in DMV/Fontana tend to be a bit strict.

A pre-trip starting place: Pre-Trip Inspection - My Way! A Must See! by the legendary Daniel B.

Best of luck, and if you have the slightest or even, in your opinion "dumbest" question, post it here.

Just try to stay with your first company at least a year. It helps you get a feel for things over time and future employers are less likely to view you as a "job hopper."

And go ahead and fill out this form, it will have you apply for like ten different companies at once.

Apply For Truck Driving Jobs

"Is the school you are going to attend affiliated with any company?"

Thank you for your reply, BK!

No, it's not a company affiliated CDL program. It's a school offered through a local community college. It's a free program and in very high demand so I consider myself mighty lucky to have been accepted... Especially since I don't have to endure what I've been told amounts to endentured servitude once licensed.

Yes... as I understand it, the school will have recruiters available. I just want to ensure that I'm adequately prepared to ask the right questions and make smart decisions so I can become the best driver I can be. I was a boy scout in my youth so I have a deep ingrained need to be prepared. Thank you for the solid advice. I assure that I have no desire to purchase/ lease a truck at this time. Maybe after a few years once I've gained the necessary skills and experience. I want to be confident that I know the ins and outs of the industry, and accrue a sizeable savings before I take that plunge.

I suppose I'll just need to be more patient and see what all the school has to offer. I don't mean to put the cart before the horse. I'm just excited and I want to set myself up for success.

Thank you again for your input and your time. It's greatly appreciated!

Thank you all for your valuable input!

I am considering Prime or Knight to start off with and gain experience until I'm ready for the training wheels to come off. Any thoughts on either of those companies?

A friend of mine is planning to go to work for Werner after school but I honestly haven't studied up on that carrier.

I sincerely apologize that I don't have a lot of time for a more detailed reply at the moment. I'll remedy that as soon as I can.

I already feel very fortunate not only for all of your guidance, but also to know that you guys are out there rooting for me. That really means a lot.

I'll be back on soon, and I'll try to make some progress on my bio and profile as well.

Thanks again everyone! Take care!

We have many members from Both Prime and Knight. I currently still work for Knight. I would encourage you to search for both companies in the CDL diaries section. I left a very detailed account of my experience with Knight from starting school all the way through Top Gun, and training. Swift also has our Top Gun training as well as shared instructors at many locations.

Some of the differences are the length of time in training and approach. I can't speak too much on Prime, but as far as I understand, your training is done while you get your license and then there's a long training period with a trainer afterwards. Hopefully a prime driver can fill in the details.

At Knight school is done first, for 3 weeks, once you get your CDL, you can do 1 week of Top Gun and 2 weeks with a trainer or go directly to 4 weeks with a trainer. Then you will do 30k solo training miles under a DDM (driver development manager). There's no contract at Knight, and you're an employee once you pass the drug tests and physical. You get paid starting your first day of school but have to pay for your own lodging and food.