Class B CDL

[Vamvakas]

Im 21 and i'm lost about my future... Im at a community college.. But I love driving I perher a class B to start with...

There are jobs for class A and B but they want 2+ years exp so what should I do? Is it worth it for no exexperience? For a class B?

 

[cassie]

Check out truck driving schools for Class A. Financing is usually available. My brother went to one and got hired right after graduation. The companies come out to the schools and recruit. He had his choice of several companies he could have gone to work for. Some companies have their own training schools. You might check on line. I think Swift has a school, and maybe England. Another suggestion is to go to a truck stop and go into the trucker's lounge. Sometimes there are publications to be found there about various trucking companies and opportunities they offer.

 

[rrrmamma]

My DH is a retired truck driver and former truck driving school instructor. His recomenndation would be to first. get all your endorsements. Class A, hazmat, tankers, doubles and triples, It is only a written test for these endorsements. DMV has a book for you to study. Then you get a permit. Go to truck driving school and you will use their equipment to learn on. The big money in trucking is with the extra endorsements. Good luck and PM me if you want more info. He says your area is good for truckers because the pay is better.
Deb

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

Yep, get all the endorsements right off. School is good if you dont have access to a truck an a good driver to teach you. Its not cheep though. You dont need much time in a class A truck to pass the test. All the trailer backing skills can be learned in a hay field with a farm truck an a goosneck hay trailer. Air breaks an shifting is the only thing left an that can be done in a class B truck.


If you want to just get a class B first then a good place to learn is your local Volunteer Fire Department. I got my class B threw them. Most are always looking for more drivers. Another option is to go talk to your old school bus driver. If you have a class A or B permit they can let you ride till they drop the kids off an then let you drive the empty bus home for a few days. May even let you test in there bus.


Go get your class A permit first then throw the newspaper away. Everyone in there wants people that have been driving for years. Go find a small guy with 2 or 3 trucks or a owner/operator. Those guys can usually find a use for you an team you with a driver that will teach you an let you drive real miles. Getting the CDL after a trip or two like that is easy.

 

[EweSheep]

I had a friend whose hubby worked for Schneider's (the orange trucks) and they can pay you for the training and all that stuff under the contract. One thing about it, you have to stay with the company for two years or you will have to pay all the stuff back to them.

Is it a good idea? Yeah if you don't have a family or farm to look after or a very dedicated wife that can tolerate you being gone for a while.

I like the ideas mentioned above, Mama and Rebel.

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

Yea, thats the thing about the places that own there own schools... After you go they pretty much own you for 2 years. Thats ok if you are single with no dependents an want to see the world. If you want to see home every once in a while look elsewhere.


Local rock quarry will have dump trucks coming an going all day. Go park an watch for several trucks with the same name on the side. Thats the name you want to talk to to break in a new Class B CDL when you get it.

 

[redhen]

My husband went to United Tractor School here in MA for his class A. He also loves driving..so kinda the perfect job for him.
There ARE companies that will take you on right out of school..Schneider is one of them. Webster trucking is another.. JB HUNT is another.. Martin Brower (in CT) is another. Martin will usually keep the new guys as "yard guys" for a couple of years until they get enough experience.. but they pay pretty good from what I understand.
You can make more money if you go over the road but we didn't want that..
Usually your school will know of all the places that will hire people right out of school..
Make SURE your driving record is clean or you will NOT get a job anywhere..

 

[redhen]

Yea, thats the thing about the places that own there own schools... After you go they pretty much own you for 2 years. Thats ok if you are single with no dependents an want to see the world. If you want to see home every once in a while look elsewhere.


Local rock quarry will have dump trucks coming an going all day. Go park an watch for several trucks with the same name on the side. Thats the name you want to talk to to break in a new Class B CDL when you get it. 

Nevermind..I didn't read your post correctly..duh. p
Yeah..if a business trains you..you usually have to sign a contract saying that you will work for them for a certain amount of time..
it can be a good learning experience for you though..or if they are bastards..it can be hell..

 

[OldHippieChick]

Yeah I've heard a lot of horror stories about schools and many of the big trucking companies wanting to sell you a truck and get you on a long term contract lease to own program. And if you dont stay with them you loose the truck you've been paying for every week. There is a real shortage of flatbed drivers out there but it's expensive to get you insured if you haven't been driving for two years. There are opportunities to get your foot in the door with a CDL working for local businesses doing deliveries. You might focus on steel yards, rebar yards, building material production plants... etc. These are all going to be flatbed loads. Those sort of places would rather hire someone by the hour to drive their truck for local / area / regional deliveries than outsource to trucking companies. The other option is to get your own authority, hook up on a couple of load boards, maybe start off with a 1 ton truck and a 40' trailer and do some hotshot runs. My sweet spot with 40's is anyone who call haul 18K lbs. but you need a bigger engine for that. You're gona need some start up money for that because you'll have to be able to carry your overhead and living expenses for about 60 days waiting for payment to come in. OR you can pimp them out to factoring companies for 3-5% fees. If you go out on your own, be prepared to sell yourself and russel up some customers or loyal brokers.

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

Yep, delivery drivers for hardware, lumber an whatnot is a good starter job an is local. Its hands on freight so expect to have to load and/or unload your own truck. Thats what makes it easy to get your foot in the door though. After a while drivers step up to jobs that are more hands off an make room for the next new guy.