21F wanting to get class B CDL? I have questions.
Posted by Sirfluffyton96@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 11 comments
Hello guys I currently work in Healthcare making $16/hr and I want to make more money for me and my boyfriend. We live in Houston TX and will not relocate.
My boyfriend is a class A driver and while of course he could answer some of my questions, hes not class b and he doesnt have nearly as much experience as some of you guys, plus a variety of opinions never hurts so I wanted to go to you guys!
What are the steps for getting class B? My boyfriend got his cdl school paid for by his company but we arent sure if thats possible for class B as they are local?
I have a few non negotiables about my type of work and job though and wanted to ask if they were considered reasonable for a new class b driver.
I dont want to be away from home, i need to be home everyday as my boyfriend is over the road and I have animals to take care of.
I dont want to drive a bus with people.
I am a small petite girl and dont want to do any physical labor. I might be able to do minor things but cant use a pallet jack or anything.
I hope these stipulations arent considered entitled, I dont expect to make 60K a year or something. I just want to make more than $16/hr and maybe one day more than $20/hr.
My questions are essentailly: Is $20/hr + reasonable for a newbie or maybe someone with 1 year experience in class b?
What class b companies are willing to pay for and send me to school?
Are my stipulations considered reasonable by the class b industry and employers?
Any good starter companies i can apply for?
As I said my boyfriend doesnt know any of this as he is strictly a class A driver. Any help is appreciated thank you!
idiotcatgirl27@reddit
The place that will pay you to get your cdl-b, let you go home every day, and not do physical labor, is a bus company.
Playful-Excuse-272@reddit
This!
Aimless_Nobody@reddit
How I accidentally got a free Class B CDL with airbrake and passenger endorsement in 2 weeks and 2 days while being paid $18/hr. ($30/hr on the last day)
YMMV: start at my local transit agency at $18 hour for training. 2 week course driving and classrohrs. Start my first shift (low seniority union position) on the crosstown airport express. Now making $30/hr.
My motorcycle broke down and I was late (by 5 minutes during my probationary status). I was terminated immediately. I had a CDL in hand, at no cost and went across the street to a regional charter bus operation. (At will, non union, no bennies, plus gratuity) Worked there for 5 years and went all over the Pacific NW. Home daily about 95% of the time. It was a great experience but moved on.
Cann1balHulk@reddit
Get your Class A.
The CDL classes are just weight restrictions. Getting a class A CDL will allow you to also drive Class B vehicles. I would also get endorsements such as air brakes & passenger as well, since this will open more opportunities for you.
jmzstl@reddit
School bus jobs are the easiest way to get a free CDL-B. It's usually a terrible job and you'll probably make less money than you do now, but it can be useful to get your CDL and some driving experience.
Houston ISD is hiring trainees for $15/hr and First Student is hiring at $15.91/hr.
Seebs9@reddit
I don’t think there’s a lot of class B options that aren’t physical or require driving people.
The ones that do exist will probably be taking up by people that already have a class B.
Really giving what you’re looking for. Bus driving is the best option. They’ll get you your license, most desperately need drivers and pay over 20+.
nortyflatz@reddit
Municipalities may send you for Class "B" testing, using their shuttles. Then you can work for a City, driving seniors to/from the senior centers.
navlgazer9@reddit
I’d suggest getting some more training and skills in healthcare .
The sky’s the limit in that industry.
I bet the folks running the MRI and CT and ultrasound are earning more than $16
Itiari@reddit
Class B jobs are almost always local, so unless someone is familiar with Houston specifically doubt we’d give much insight there.
With those stipulations, the only generic class B job that comes to mind is garbage trucks.
Might be able to look into state option of getting your CDL paid for/helped with, or just look for job forms that offer it (I had my class B paid for by my first trucking job for a beverage company years ago, just saw on the app they offered it and said fuck it)
I will also say, those stipulations extremely narrow down your prospects for trucking in general. I’d suggest having a job in mind before moving forward.
rig53official@reddit
For no-touch local Class B in Houston, the categories worth looking at are fuel delivery, ready-mix concrete, refuse (Republic and Waste Management sometimes sponsor school), and shuttle or yard work. Skip beverage and food service unless you're fine with hand trucks all shift. Paid Class B school is rarer than Class A so plan to call around... And whatever sponsored-training contract gets put in front of you, give it a careful read before you sign. Some of those have payback clauses that bite if you leave early.
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