I'm Getting Started
Topic 5799 | Page 2
Come OTR , we need more young people on the road! I never see anyone from my generation, just a whole lot of old people.
Um yea, Im not offended either 
As to the original post, I absolutely agree with Daniel. If your going to become a professional driver then don't short change yourself go ahead and get your class A and get your endorsements. Yes its more money but the added value is well worth it. How much will it cost you to get a class A if you already have the B? I would not be surprised at all if you still have to pay the 5500 and then you essentially wasted your initial 3000.
And as Daniel pointed out if someone is looking at applicants and one is class B and the other is A the A will stand out. Its just like when they look at 2 year degrees versus those that have obtained a 4 year degree only you do not have to invest an extra 2 years to gain the advantage.
Having the Class A with endorsements gives you many more choices and opportunities, which is what you want when you finish any type of schooling. I do not remember the classifications of the B but with weight limits you may not even qualify for some dump truck jobs under that license. I could be wrong so if someone knows please correct me.
As far as the loan I would have to look at the interest rates. It may be convenient having it all bundled together but figure out what the higher rate (assuming it will be higher) is actually going to cost you over the term of the loan for your education.
Just my .02
And by the way, welcome to the boards. Its by far the best trucking site on the net!
Woody
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.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Josh,
Have you thought about company sponsored training ? This way you can avoid a third party loan and if you successfully complete the training, you've got a job waiting for you :) as others have said and it bears repeating, please consider the Class A because it opens up just about all of the options. I'm going the company paid CDL A route.
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.
Come OTR , we need more young people on the road! I never see anyone from my generation, just a whole lot of old people.
Okay now I believe that your 24.
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.
I was also going to just get a class B license but instead decided to go ahead and get a class A. Class B training was about $2000 cheaper than Class A but if I went ahead and got the class A then I could not only drive dump trucks but if by chance I couldn't find a job or I found I didn't like driving dump trucks I would have more job options. Another factor in getting my class A instead of just a class B is that most of the local CDL schools had financial aid only if you were going to get your class A license. I know that you have a loan but you may want to apply for a Pell Grant which you don't have to pay off. I also found out that dump trucks get paid by load and it's pretty cut throat at least in this area.
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.
Come OTR , we need more young people on the road! I never see anyone from my generation, just a whole lot of old people.
Hey now...don't get on us old guys...lol
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.
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
Well I certainly appreciate all the input guys, and just by perusing over craigslist for class A jobs in my state my mouth is pretty much dropping over the money they say I could be making. I have to say that I might actually do the class A.