I'd Like To Become A Driver, But Having Trouble Finding What I Need...

Why do you insist on being close to home for your training? You are really limiting yourself. There are many companies who will pay your transportation, your lodging, and your meals while you train.

Dig in and look at some of these Paid CDL Training Programs.

Hi Old School. I hate to keep bugging you, but if I could find one that provides almost everything...in the end wouldn't they have to have at least a terminal or drop lot somewhere relatively close to where I live? I mean, after training wouldn't I have to report to one of their locations to start work? Maybe I'm all wrong on that...I don't know. That's why I'm here asking the professionals like yourself. Thanks!

That's a great question James.

The answer is no. There's very little reason to have a terminal near your home. I live in East Texas. My terminal is in Gulfport, MS. To be honest, I may go there twice a year.

An over the road driver travels all over the place. A large trucking company has multiple terminals. The only reason I go to a terminal is truck maintenance. If I am in Pennsylvania and it's time for an oil change, my company will have me report to a terminal in Pennsylvania. It's that simple. You are going to be nomadic. The company knows and understands that. They will handle the logistics of it all.

When you want to go home, you don't need a terminal. You merely need a place to park the truck. Some folks can park it at their home, others may use a nearby truck stop or a Wal-Mart or other large retailer that grants them permission for parking.

Speaking of being nomadic... you don't even have to keep a home. You can save a lot of money by living in the truck and taking home time wherever you request it. A lot of drivers do that. It's a strategy that would help you get out of debt. The possibilities are limitless. You can live like a gypsy and save like Warren Buffet.

Trucking companies are accustomed to all of the issues. When you first get started they may have you pick up a truck from five or six states away from where you train. They will pay to get you there and start your first dispatched load from wherever you are at. Or, they may have a truck sitting right where you trained. One way or another, they will work out the details.

Ok, here's the deal. If you had done what was recommended the first time, you would already have dug yourself out of this hole you now find yourself in.

Here's some hard truths for you. You are absolutely broke. From what you presented, you are actually BANKRUPT. Based on the second chance financing companies you named, I'm guessing your credit is already down the toilet as well.

You have the ability to change your circumstances, really dang fast, if you are willing to take the risk.

If I happened to be back in your situation, knowing what I know now? I would walk away from the apartment, sell or put the "stuff" in storage, and STOP PAYING the non-essentials. Get on with a Mega, doesn't matter who. Whichever one can have you in training FIRST.

Right now, it's not your cat stopping you, or your lack of money. Or the "school" you went to. YOU. You are the biggest stumbling block you are currently facing.

It's time to put on the big boy boots and get some stuff done.

Side note: I am not advocating to NEVER pay those debts. I'm advocating for you to not pay them for the next two months. So that THEN you can be working, and earning, and paying your bills.

James, if you haven’t already done so take look at halvor lines. they pay 1k per week for there cdl training program in superior, wisconsin, provide transportation to superior, wi., breakfast at the hotel and lunch paid for during the week. could be worth a look. halvorlines.com

James, if you haven’t already done so take look at halvor lines. they pay 1k per week for there cdl training program in superior, wisconsin, provide transportation to superior, wi., breakfast at the hotel and lunch paid for during the week. could be worth a look. halvorlines.com

Hi Danny. Thanks for that! I sent one of the recruiters an email explaining my situation. Didn't really like what I got back, though:

Hello,

I emphasize with your situation, however, unfortunately we are not hiring entry level truck driving students out of NC.

I wish you luck and thank you for being so forthcoming with your information!

Ok, here's the deal. If you had done what was recommended the first time, you would already have dug yourself out of this hole you now find yourself in.

Here's some hard truths for you. You are absolutely broke. From what you presented, you are actually BANKRUPT. Based on the second chance financing companies you named, I'm guessing your credit is already down the toilet as well.

You have the ability to change your circumstances, really dang fast, if you are willing to take the risk.

If I happened to be back in your situation, knowing what I know now? I would walk away from the apartment, sell or put the "stuff" in storage, and STOP PAYING the non-essentials. Get on with a Mega, doesn't matter who. Whichever one can have you in training FIRST.

Right now, it's not your cat stopping you, or your lack of money. Or the "school" you went to. YOU. You are the biggest stumbling block you are currently facing.

It's time to put on the big boy boots and get some stuff done.

Hi NaeNae. I appreciate what you said. I'm fine with doing whatever I need to do, but always been bad on timing. I've reached out to Halvor Lines per suggestion from Danny, but a recruiter replied back with this:

Hello,

I emphasize with your situation, however, unfortunately we are not hiring entry level truck driving students out of NC.

I wish you luck and thank you for being so forthcoming with your information!

So, I'm still looking around.

Use the application link that has already been provided for you.

Get it out of your mind that you need to be close to a terminal. Be prepared to live on ramen or cup of noodles for a few weeks.

Get out of your own way, and apply everywhere that trains.

I have a difficult time believing that EVERY mega has said no to you.

It may sound like I side either letting big corporations abuse drivers, but I don't.

But with the demands that you have, it comes off as entitled. Companies have zero motivation to hire an employee like that, especially because the employee has less than any experience, they have none coupled with special demands and unreasonable expectations.

I'm just going to sayright off the bat that unless you loose your expectations and demands that the companies provide everything for you, that you're incompatible with the tricking industry.

It may sound like I side either letting big corporations abuse drivers, but I don't.

But with the demands that you have, it comes off as entitled. Companies have zero motivation to hire an employee like that, especially because the employee has less than any experience, they have none coupled with special demands and unreasonable expectations.

I'm just going to sayright off the bat that unless you loose your expectations and demands that the companies provide everything for you, that you're incompatible with the tricking industry.

Hi Davy. I hear what you are saying, believe me. I have no qualms at all in getting rid of all my possessions and getting training thousands of miles away. None whatsoever. The problem is; and I'm sure you'll get ****ed; but I haven't been completely honest.

While I was studying for the CDL permit, my wife came back. She was in an accident in NJ while we were separated and she honestly has no where to go. I'm not trying to keep the apartment for myself. I'm trying to keep it for her. She's been selling as much as she can on FB Marketplace and also looking for a local job; although I don't think she's ready to go back to work, but she says she is.

I'm giving her my car to get to work and the store for food. She's not going to be able to make enough on her own to keep the apartment. I already know that. I need to help out with it. I know I can't take her to training with me and I'm not expecting them to cover her lodging. She has no other option but to stay here. I'm still making ads for FB and I'm still looking here for somewhere that I can get training through that will at least cover the costs of me getting there and lodging. If they pay during training, then I've got food and can put towards the apartment until the lease is up. Not sure what else to do. I do appreciate your comments.