I am looking to get my CDL and need some help
Posted by Scarlet_Lovell@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 40 comments
Heya Reddit, I want to get my CDL but I'm not sure how to go about it, I've been absolutely in love with driving since I was a child, especially enjoying games like 18 Wheels of Steel, and I really enjoy driving IRL as an adult, I've been doing delivery for the past few months and really want to move into getting my CDL.
I am very intimidated by the schools nearby and don't want to fail, I really want this. Is there anyone that can give me advice on where to start, tips for my future, or direct message me in any way to help me understand more about the trucking world? Or what resources do you recommend me look into?
Hope this post doesn't come off strange, I just need advice and resources.
Wasatchbl@reddit
Most LTL companies will hire you to work on the dock loading and unloading trailers with a forklift. Then you can get trained to drive and get your CDL through the company. So you get a good paying job , usually $25hr or higher, then get your CDL then drive.
geekydreams@reddit
I'm not really looking to do long haul , at least not at first. Is it hard to get a LTL job just starting out from school? A regional job sounds pretty good. Are most of these jobs a Class B or do you need a A?
Wasatchbl@reddit
Sometimes they are difficult,, sometimes they aren't just depending on your location and who the terminal manager is. You will need your class a with doubles, triples, and hazmat. Hazmat. If you get hired on at the dock some have a dock to driver program and they will teach you to drive and get you all the endorsements
Scarlet_Lovell@reddit (OP)
Oh that's awesome actually! Though, I don't have a forklift license either but I have heard they're easy to get, are forklift jobs like that difficult?
Naw_im_sayin@reddit
In addition to the fork lift, the company will have you move trailers on their property with a yard truck (hostler). Hostlers that go into CDL school already know how to drive a truck.
Wasatchbl@reddit
I also have to warn you that the hours sometimes are not great, inbound shift can go from like midnight to 8:00 in the morning and outbound can go from like 2:00 in the afternoon to 10:00 at night. And the docks are not insulated or climate controlled.
Fishdude909@reddit
Not sure where you live. But I can tell you what I did. I got fired from my career after 16 years of management and decided to get into trucking. “I used to be a yard guy and a yard trainer and always loved it” I paid for my own CDL, did an accelerated class since I had driving experience. Reason I paid for my own was I didn’t want to have to sign a contract with a company for 1-3 years, especially if there pay was crap or just wasn’t happy. So I jumped with Western Express. Truth about them, your pay will be shit, but they won’t have you do anything you’re not comfortable with and they constantly buy new trucks. I drove a 2022 and a 2023 fully deck out truck with them. I stayed with them for 3 months and immediately started to shot gun applications everywhere I could. This is where the “normal” story ends. After this I got lucky and landed an awesome Local gig with Schneider doing drop and hook and making 40-45$ an hour roughly.
geekydreams@reddit
What was the starting pay with Western? Hell I'm working a shitting PT job now and only made 32k last year. Anything more than that I'm doing better
Fishdude909@reddit
I ran teams and we split .65 cents a mile. I was barely making like 650-750 a week after taxes
Independent-Fun8926@reddit
These companies provide training:
We always recommend getting your CDL at a school. Saves money, time, and it doesn't lock you into a contract for a year. Also opens up opportunities at much better companies. Many hire CDL graduates for training. Example: Tyson Foods.
I would also recommend specializing in something like flatbed or tanker if you can, as they lead toward better jobs and more money than reefer/dryvan. Also has a better quality of life; warehouses can be soul-destroying.
Get all your endorsements (tanker, hazmat, and doubles/triples), and your TWIC card. These open up a lot of opportunities.
Don't worry too much about learning how to drive in CDL school. CDL school is teaching you what you need to know to pass the exam and earn your license. You'll learn how to drive in road training with your starter company.
Good luck
geekydreams@reddit
Do you know of the better schools in the Montgomery Co , Maryland area? I've been reading posts and i do hear that getting locked into a company that pays for your school won't get you paid anything for a while , but I also read that the trucking school instructors aren't really focused on hands on training or are lacking.. which makes me wonder why your paying thousands of they aren't really teaching you. I don't want this Zoom shit , I don't learn that way. I have learning disabilities and I'm hands on.
While your in the school or graduating are there usually recruiters showing up looking for new drivers or do the schools help with placement as part of your tuition?
IBringTheHeat1@reddit
Drive for UPS, they make 175k a year
Scarlet_Lovell@reddit (OP)
Holy--- How do you get into UPS though? From my searches there doesn't seem to be a good way to do so.
IBringTheHeat1@reddit
https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/ups-drivers-170000-pay-benefits-compensation/
Here’s a news story about our new contract we got.
Typically you work in the warehouse, then deliver packages, then become a semi truck driver. But you can just become a package driver or semi truck driver right away depending if a location needs them right away.
Organic-Lock-2832@reddit
Don’t do it. It’s a savage world out there in the trucking business. If you weren’t born into the trucking world it will be miserable
AndromedanPrince@reddit
lies
Odd-Improvement-2135@reddit
Go to a local community college who offers training. Much cheaper and you'll likely qualify for a Pell grant which will knock a few thousand off.
TwoToadsKick@reddit
Have you looked for jobs that will train you themselves while working so you don't have to pay a school
Scarlet_Lovell@reddit (OP)
This is a great tip and I actually wasn't aware that was a thing. I will definitely look into this more. Are there specific companies to look out for?
username_fantasies@reddit
I just got my CDL independently through a truck driving school. Initially, it's kind of expensive, but I'm not locked in in a contract for a year. With clean criminal and driving record, companies will through themselves at you. Pick and choose. However, during the training stage with your first employer, pay will suck either way.
threeglude@reddit
Be VERY careful with this option. Most companies willing to train you on their dime will require bs team driving for x amount of months AND, should you quit before a set period (12-18 months on average) they'll bill you the the "cost" of the training. Also, most companies, especially the Megas, will literally pay you hardly anything for at least the period where you are "locked in" for the training to be "free".
NOTHING is free in this world. Just as you should NEVER finance a truck through the same company getting you loads, I don't think you should have training covered by the same company you're working for.
TinkerTasker22@reddit
Roehl pays 112 a day for training which really isn't much, but was better than what the other training companies were offering they have been goid to me so far, 6 months in with and hit 60,000 miles of my 120,000 mile contract.
PrinceTrama@reddit
For me, i went through a government funded program in my state called career links. Not sure where you're located and the programs they may have. I had to have a certain income to qualify so what i did was apply for a PT job that lowered my income perfectly then i immediately applied after a few pay checks. I did the one month cdl program , which was FT so basically for about 6 months from starting the PT job til i finished school, I was broke... but the class was completely covered and the program will always be there to help me find a job since I was a funded student.
I would try to find a program similar. Try calling your local offices, sometimes they are in contact with unemployment. Try giving your state unemployment a call and they may be able to lead you in the right direction.
I would not recommend going through a job that claims to help you get your CDL because you may be stuck with that company for maybe a year. Sometimes they issue you a charge if you quit before your contract ends. The only Pro for this option is the instant hire and the year/2 experience. Once that contract is up, you will be able to go just about anywhere. But no matter what path you take, you will need to make some sacrifices .
Nonetheless , Good luck .
stevenmacarthur@reddit
I just passed my 35th anniversary of getting my CDL, so here's my take:
1) Commercial driving is a lifestyle, not a regular job. No, you don't have to wear cowboy boots and dip snuff, but you have to be prepared for your scheduled finishing time to be fluid. Basically, only make plans for your days off.
2) When I came up, there were very few carriers that actually trained you, so I can't speak to that - but from what I've been reading on here, finding a good school is the better way to go. Check the schools out in person: see what their operation looks like, what kind of equipment they train you with, how experienced the instructors are. The internet is your friend in this.
3) If you live near a city, consider driving a transit bus: union pay and benefits, home every night. They'll train you for free. I did this for ten years; the only reason I got out of it was I tend to get bored easier than most people. That being said, I have some great memories of my time doing it, and I'm proud to have been a bus operator.
Good luck!
WhiteShiftry@reddit
If your low income, look into the WIOA program that can fully pay for your schooling
Substantial-Jello214@reddit
If you get tax money back use that. That's what I did and I have my CDL now the hard part is finding a job after since everyone wants you to have experience
FantasticAd410@reddit
I went the dock-to-driver route with an LTL company. I wasn’t sure trucking would be the right career for me, figured I’d give it a shot and not throw a ton of time and money away if it didn’t work out. Still driving 3 years later and on my 3rd company 💪🏼. They paid for everything but the license itself and the endorsement tests. With a local gig you’ll be home every night and off weekends usually and get that hourly pay.
threeglude@reddit
This is the way. If you're going to have the company you work for help you cover costs of getting a CDL, a local LTL company is best. Local LTL companies usually aren't as scammy, especially with the pay for newer drivers, as most Megas out there.
12InchPickle@reddit
You would start by either signing up for a school you paid for, or going with a company that’ll pay for it.
There’s various apps you can use to help you with the permit and tests.
YouTube videos or driving games / sims for how to move the truck and trailer.
Scarlet_Lovell@reddit (OP)
Since you mentioned sims, do sims like Euro Truck Sim and ATS help with real life experience? I have a wheel of my own but since you can't really feel anything besides vibrations from the wheel I've always touted it off as "incomparable to the real thing". I would assume it would be better to get an eye/facial tracker of some sort so you can at-least move your head in-game easier.
Sparks_PC_Building@reddit
Not going to lie, I have over 1000 hours in ETS2 and a couple hundred in ATS. THEY SERIOUSLY helped with backing and learning how weight moves in turns. Other than that, its a dud. Learning Pretrip and the basics of backing/driving comes down to your school and then having a good trainer does the rest.
Caveman23r@reddit
Use a game pad like a xbox controller and always pick the hardest back up options in ATS. Run short routes just to get more backing. It actually helps get you eye in. I still do it sometimes even useing the outside of the truck view.
Cadiefly@reddit
Are there any apps in particular you'd recommend my fiancee? :3
CR8Y_ol_Maurice@reddit
It’s your mindset that’s holding you back. Believe in yourself and you’ll do it just fine. Don’t be intimidated, it’s cake.
GroundbreakingSir386@reddit
CDL Wizard and practice it like the Bible the monthly subscription is worth it. Go to the school closest to you and check it out. Don't finance your your schooling just save up the money and pay in cash you will be so glad you did.
SufficientOnestar@reddit
Driving and trucking do not go hand in hand If you just want to drive go Uber or school bus Scroll this sub and follow before you commit.
Wasatchbl@reddit
No, the forklift part is not that difficult and they will certify you
Scarlet_Lovell@reddit (OP)
Oh cool, thank you so much for the tip
Prankishmanx21@reddit
Driving and maneuvering the truck really isn't that difficult. The part that gave me trouble was the pre-trip inspection. There's a lot of information there that you have to memorize. Go to your state DMV website, download the CDL manual and start memorizing the pre-trip inspection segment.
As far as actually going through the process and getting your license, you could look around your local area or even surrounding areas find a community college or technical school with a CDL program that lasts for more than a handful of weeks. They'll ease you into it slower than one of the CDL mills will and you'll get more practice.
Prankishmanx21@reddit
I know this sub gets a lot of traffic but I really wish y'all wannabes would do a little search before you post. There's thousands of similar posts to yours on here. Most of them with the same couple of answers.