Best Way To Get CDL Without Indentured Servitude

Editor's Note: At Trucking Truth we feel the best way to get your cdl is through a paid CDL training program.

We have an article that will help clarify why we feel that way: Why I Prefer Paid CDL Training Over Private CDL Training

Im 61, retired a little early , and am considering trucking for a few years before diving into my 401k and social security.

I called ... CRST I think it was, and they paid for training, but they expect you to drive as a team with another guy for 27 days out of 30, before getting 3 days off. Am I missing something... 24 hours a day for 27 days in a little tin box? Don't people lose their minds?!! If they did that to animals they would end up killing each other!

Then I looked into CR England... they train you, but they put a lot of pressure on you to lease one of their trucks before you even know whether you will like the profession. Evidently a high interest rate on the tuition they charge for the training has something to do with it.

I don't mind being out on the road a lot, as I'm by myself, but I would need to have a day or two off a week... or maybe even drive locally. Is that possible? I don't want to get rich... just make enough money to live on for a few years. If I pay for training out of my own pocket can I do that? Thanks for any advice

Okay, let me first welcome both Dennis and Ronald, we're glad you're both here, and I hope we can help you guys make a good start in the trucking industry!

I can't tell you how many folks come in here worrying about being indentured servants and scared to make a start because of the things they've read on rip-off reports and/or the truckers report. This place is called Trucking Truth for a reason, and hopefully you guys will be able to lay hold of the truth before you get yourselves off on the wrong foot. We don't need you posting links to the rip off reports because in our opinion they named that website precisely what it is.

We believe in using and putting forth verifiable information to help folks make a career decision, and that garbage on the rip-off site is absolutely unreliable trash from people who don't know the first thing about this industry and had all kinds of misconceptions going on in their minds that kept them from being able to lay hold of how you get started in this stuff. Then they boldly declare all this B.S. as if they were some kind of experts, when the truth is they've never even been able to see their way through to landing or keeping a trucking job anywhere. It's totally unreliable information from anonymous know-it-all nimrods. PLEASE don't be posting links to it in our forum!

Dennis, over the road trucking is really a change in lifestyle more so than it is a change in career. You've got to get that settled before you can ever succeed at it, or enjoy it. I know very few truck drivers who get to take two days off a week, or even one for that matter. We work everyday of the week and we often work for several weeks at a time before going home for a few days - that's how it works, and that's how you get to the point where you can start making some money at this. Most of us who have been in other careers are shocked by the reality of it, but that's how it works. Most folks who try to get into trucking come into it with totally false preconceptions and then when their expectations get sucker punched by the reality of it all they go to places like the rip-off report and start slamming the company that they happened to start with and therein is the start of a lot of confusion about getting started in this business.

We've got some great resources here. Take a look at our Truck Driver's Career Guide, it is bound to help unravel some of the mystery of all this to you. And if you enjoy reading you can read Brett's Book, a free online version that is sure to help you understand the joys and pains of the industry. We have lots of information to help you know How To Choose A Company, and also tips on How To Choose A School.

This is a rewarding career that is ideal for a second career after retirement, in fact that is exactly what I did when I got my start as a professional driver.

Again, welcome aboard to both of you! Take a little time and check into those links I gave you and then feel free to jump back in here with all the questions you have. I am sure just doing some of the research I've recommended will trigger lots of questions, and we will be more than happy to help you know the truth about getting started in this business.

Hope I didn't offend anyone with my previous post. If I knew how to remove the post I would do so. Ive read some of the blogs and its obvious some folks are comfortable spending long periods of time with someone else in a small space doable and satisfying. Probably more of a reflection on my personal shortcomings. My kneejerk reaction was that I would need to have some decompression time. Maybe it just takes getting used to. Best regards to everyone, you have great people on your forum and provide a valuable service.

Swift does not make you team and they will train you. They also do not force you to drive for them you simply have to pay for the schooling at that point.

However most companies start you OTR which means the only way you get off one day a week is when you do a reset because you ran out your clock. Last month i was doing a 34 ever 6-7 days because i was running out my clock every day.

Try looking at community colleges and schools were you pay in advance. See if the have a good job placement status and what recruiters visit them. You can also do pre-hires and there is a section that covers that here.

"It may be the devil, or it may be the lord - but you gonna have to serve somebody". - Bob Dylan

As mentioned the LEAST EXPENSIVE WAY (without being obligate for some period of time to a company) is to "self pay" at a local college or state/county vocational school. Usually under $2K.

Private Schools (decent ones, not "one week wonders") are in the range of $4-6K - pretty much along the lines of the "work it off obligation" of "starter companies".

CRST and a few others are ALL TEAM. Most (others) will have you drive "as a team" for a set period with a trainer (Prime for example will have you do "Phase I with the trainer in the jump seat", and Phase II as a team - then you "test out" and go Solo).

Companies can PRESSURE YOU as much as they want - you are under NO OBLIGATION TO DO SO. Simplest response to the pressure is: "I'd like to work in the industry for a year or two, to learn the ropes - before I take on that kind of responsibility:.

Best of luck to you...

Rick

Im 61, retired a little early , and am considering trucking for a few years before diving into my 401k and social security.

I called ... CRST I think it was, and they paid for training, but they expect you to drive as a team with another guy for 27 days out of 30, before getting 3 days off. Am I missing something... 24 hours a day for 27 days in a little tin box? Don't people lose their minds?!! If they did that to animals they would end up killing each other!

Then I looked into CR England... they train you, but they put a lot of pressure on you to lease one of their trucks before you even know whether you will like the profession. Evidently a high interest rate on the tuition they charge for the training has something to do with it.

I don't mind being out on the road a lot, as I'm by myself, but I would need to have a day or two off a week... or maybe even drive locally. Is that possible? I don't want to get rich... just make enough money to live on for a few years. If I pay for training out of my own pocket can I do that? Thanks for any advice

Hey Dennis,

I am jumping into trucking myself as a career change at 51.. I looked into CR England and seen that they had quite a few bad reviews.. You can look them up here http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/specific_search/CR%20England They were one of the first schools that I checked into, and they seem to have the worst record that I have encountered..

Hope this helps...

Ron

Okay, let me first welcome both Dennis and Ronald, we're glad you're both here, and I hope we can help you guys make a good start in the trucking industry!

I can't tell you how many folks come in here worrying about being indentured servants and scared to make a start because of the things they've read on rip-off reports and/or the truckers report. This place is called Trucking Truth for a reason, and hopefully you guys will be able to lay hold of the truth before you get yourselves off on the wrong foot. We don't need you posting links to the rip off reports because in our opinion they named that website precisely what it is.

We believe in using and putting forth verifiable information to help folks make a career decision, and that garbage on the rip-off site is absolutely unreliable trash from people who don't know the first thing about this industry and had all kinds of misconceptions going on in their minds that kept them from being able to lay hold of how you get started in this stuff. Then they boldly declare all this B.S. as if they were some kind of experts, when the truth is they've never even been able to see their way through to landing or keeping a trucking job anywhere. It's totally unreliable information from anonymous know-it-all nimrods. PLEASE don't be posting links to it in our forum!

Dennis, over the road trucking is really a change in lifestyle more so than it is a change in career. You've got to get that settled before you can ever succeed at it, or enjoy it. I know very few truck drivers who get to take two days off a week, or even one for that matter. We work everyday of the week and we often work for several weeks at a time before going home for a few days - that's how it works, and that's how you get to the point where you can start making some money at this. Most of us who have been in other careers are shocked by the reality of it, but that's how it works. Most folks who try to get into trucking come into it with totally false preconceptions and then when their expectations get sucker punched by the reality of it all they go to places like the rip-off report and start slamming the company that they happened to start with and therein is the start of a lot of confusion about getting started in this business.

We've got some great resources here. Take a look at our Truck Driver's Career Guide, it is bound to help unravel some of the mystery of all this to you. And if you enjoy reading you can read Brett's Book, a free online version that is sure to help you understand the joys and pains of the industry. We have lots of information to help you know How To Choose A Company, and also tips on How To Choose A School.

This is a rewarding career that is ideal for a second career after retirement, in fact that is exactly what I did when I got my start as a professional driver.

Again, welcome aboard to both of you! Take a little time and check into those links I gave you and then feel free to jump back in here with all the questions you have. I am sure just doing some of the research I've recommended will trigger lots of questions, and we will be more than happy to help you know the truth about getting started in this business.

Thanks for great information. This is an excellent online professional community. You guys have your **** together. If I do choose trucking as a career I will definitely be a contributing member.

Never go to the big guys to get your cdl . ripoff for sure . Cost 7K to 12 K instead of a good accredited school costing 3500 .

Never go to the big guys to get your cdl . ripoff for sure . Cost 7K to 12 K instead of a good accredited school costing 3500 .

I'm sorry but you are misinformed sir there are some company sponsored training that require no payment unless you quit your job before the contract year is up... IE prime inc. Is one of them they don't take any money or of your paychecks for a year after that year you can leave for another company