About To Go To CDL School, But Hit Mailbox A Few Months Ago

Topic 33713 | Page 1

Page 1 of 1
Blake L.'s Comment
member avatar

Hey everyone, I have been working at Amazon as a delivery driver for the past 2-3 months. I've managed save $4,800 to pay for CDL school. I am planning on going through 160 Driving Academy. On my second day driving for Amazon, I turned out of a driveway and skimmed a mailbox. I called the police, and the cop said that luckily I just skimmed the van and there were no dents, and no points would be added to my license. The customer said his mailbox was in Ok condition as well. Later than day, I believe the DSP owner filed an insurance claim because after looking closer, the van was actually dented slightly. Luckily, I was not fired and allowed to continue driving. To this day, I have hit 0 things, and I always drive with extreme caution. Given this, do you think I will be able to find a job after CDL school with this driving incident? Outside this, I have not received any tickets for driving violations the past 5+ years. I just want an idea before handing over $4,800 to enroll in driving school this Friday. Thanks

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.
BK's Comment
member avatar

Hello Blake,

Yes, you will probably be able to find a job.

BUT, re-think your plan. You don’t have to pay out $4800 to get your CDL and a job. Get accepted to a company that will train you, pay you, feed you and put you in a hotel during training.

Here are some links to get you started:

Apply For Paid CDL Training

High Road CDL Training ProgramPaid CDL Training ProgramsPaid CDL Training ProgramsPaid CDL Training ProgramsApply For Paid CDL 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.
Errol V.'s Comment
member avatar

Blake, BK has it right - many companies will finance your training as long as you contract to drive for them for a year or so.

Save your money and invest in long term bonds or try your luck at a no-limit Craps table, your choice.

DSP is not OTR trucking, so your little boo-boo may not follow/haunt you.

Read through BK's links, and don't be a stranger on the forum.

OTR:

Over The Road

OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.

Blake L.'s Comment
member avatar

Thanks for the information and links, I will check these out later and see if I can find a way to get it paid.

Hello Blake,

Yes, you will probably be able to find a job.

BUT, re-think your plan. You don’t have to pay out $4800 to get your CDL and a job. Get accepted to a company that will train you, pay you, feed you and put you in a hotel during training.

Here are some links to get you started:

Apply For Paid CDL Training

High Road CDL Training ProgramPaid CDL Training ProgramsPaid CDL Training ProgramsPaid CDL Training ProgramsApply For Paid CDL 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.
Stevo Reno's Comment
member avatar

Yes wayyyy better to save that stash to survive while in school and starting out on the road! Since starting pay will be lower, until you figure out how to maximize your drive time. Never rush, better to be minutes late by being more careful, than by some incident.

Learn to have LOTS of patience too. Suck up knowledge like a sponge. And keep your head on swivel while driving, it only takes a split second for things to go sideways out there. I had a couple VERY close calls when new, luckily, I was taking it slow and easy, and caught myself in my mirrors to avoid hitting something. Talk about an AHA ! moment, and close to a real butt puckering haha

Good luck, you have found the BEST place out here, to start learning from those links posted, as well as all the study guides they have here!!

good-luck.gif undefined

HOS:

Hours Of Service

HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Trucker Kearsey 's Comment
member avatar

Hiring has really dropped now. What if you spend the money and cant find a job? It's better to find a training company now than to get the CDL and not find a job.for whatever reason. Then u would have to go thru training all over again.

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.
Page 1 of 1

New Reply:

New! Check out our help videos for a better understanding of our forum features

Bold
Italic
Underline
Quote
Photo
Link
Smiley
Links On TruckingTruth


example: TruckingTruth Homepage



example: https://www.truckingtruth.com
Submit
Cancel
Upload New Photo
Please enter a caption of one sentence or less:

Click on any of the buttons below to insert a link to that section of TruckingTruth:

Getting Started In Trucking High Road Training Program Company-Sponsored Training Programs Apply For Company-Sponsored Training Truck Driver's Career Guide Choosing A School Choosing A Company Truck Driving Schools Truck Driving Jobs Apply For Truck Driving Jobs DOT Physical Drug Testing Items To Pack Pre-Hire Letters CDL Practice Tests Trucking Company Reviews Brett's Book Leasing A Truck Pre-Trip Inspection Learn The Logbook Rules Sleep Apnea
Done
Done

0 characters so far - 5,500 maximum allowed.
Submit Preview

Preview:

Submit
Cancel

Why Join Trucking Truth?

We have an awesome set of tools that will help you understand the trucking industry and prepare for a great start to your trucking career. Not only that, but everything we offer here at TruckingTruth is 100% free - no strings attached! Sign up now and get instant access to our member's section:
High Road Training Program Logo
  • 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:

Apply For Paid CDL Training