zayin
New Member
Posts: 2
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Post by zayin on Nov 20, 2003 7:54:27 GMT -5
This may sound like a totally stupid question but I see all these places online where you can supposedly get your CDL without going to one of the schools, is this correct? The reason I think it could possibly be correct is life has taken me and people I know down trails that in hindsite was unneccesary. I realize you need the driving experience but couldn't you find someone you know to show you the ropes and possibly ride with them for a few weeks.
And what is average on school tuition fees? Thanks any comments are appreciated
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Post by hakuna4lif on Nov 20, 2003 13:14:48 GMT -5
what web sites are those that advertise that? I would just be interested in knowing. however i know most trucking companies wouldnt even look at you unless you either went to their school, have a diploma from a trucking school or have your cdl with at least a year otr. I dont think youd get many responses with just a cdl, no experience and no diploma.
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Post by Arcflash on Nov 20, 2003 17:38:00 GMT -5
Hakuna is right, you need that certificate of completion (diploma) to get a job. I think you must be refering to the courses online that will get you your learners permit. Huge ripoff, you can pick the book up for free at your local DMV office and read up on it, pay the license fee, and then take the test for your permit.
To get your license you will need to take a skills test. In most states this will require you to complete at least one backing manuever, and a road test. Obviously, you need a truck and some time to practice.
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zayin
New Member
Posts: 2
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Post by zayin on Nov 20, 2003 20:41:52 GMT -5
One of the sites i seen is at www.cdl-course.com/cdl/index-ks.html. I didn't take time to read all the fine print that is one of the reason I was asking. The other is because there have been several instances in my life and friends lives when there was a school for something but it wasn't really neccessary, I understand driving a truck is a little more dangerous so I am not surprised that you need the schooling. When I opened a licensed daycare everyone tried to tell me I needed to go to school, but really didn't. Everyone also thought i needed to go to some sort of votec or school for my accounting degree but didn't there either. What is average pay for a truck driver?? Thanks for all comments everyone and more wouyld be appreciated!!
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Post by flyboy2610 on Nov 21, 2003 16:58:00 GMT -5
I clicked on the link, and could find nothing regarding hands on training with a real truck. You will not learn to drive from a book. Stay FAR away from such "courses".
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Post by SilverBullet on Nov 21, 2003 18:21:52 GMT -5
When I got my CDL 8 yrs. ago, I took all the tests to get get my permit, then gave a guy $600.00 to borrow his truck for the road test. As soo as I passed the road test, the DOT office gave me my picture card. I took it straight to Harrisburg the same day and got my picture liscense and turned in my Class C's. I left there and stopped off at a trucking company on the way home and got a job. I took the road test, got picture liscense and got a job all within about 4 hrs. Since then, I have never had a problem getting a job. I also have had no at-fault preventable accidents. One accident when someone drove up under my trailer in Johnson City, TN.
Just because you don't go to school and get a diploma to drive truck, dosent mean that you are an unsafe driver. A diploma is just a piece of paper. It's the hands on experience that counts. I do agree that alot of companies will not hire a newbie without a diploma. Especially since 9/11. But it's not impossible.
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Post by Sparks on Nov 22, 2003 8:31:07 GMT -5
. . . . What is average pay for a truck driver?? . . . . . About $39K/yr according to an OOIDA survey, and that's probably assuming a couple years experience. I'm figuring about $30K for the first year. As to schooling, you can indeed get your CDL without going to a school. The problem, as others have mentioned, is getting hired on as a 'privateer'. It probably can be done, but since most of the newbie carriers reimburse for private schooling, if you stay for a while, it might be worth the cost. Conversely, you can hire on with a newbie carrier that provides CDL training for 'free' for a year or two commitment. From a business standpoint, if you have the money to purchase a truck and trailer and obtain your own operating authority right off the bat, then there might be no need for private schooling.
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