Want to get into trucking

[Jonathan]

Im 20 years old and just quit a job as a correctional officer. I am not yet old enough to get my CDL A licens is there anything that i could do to prepare myself or to get ready before i turn 21. I also hear alot of bad things about cr england but i figure if i could work for them a year id have some experiance and maybe get a better offer and learn a few thing whats your inputs.

Thanks in advance
Jonathan

 

[Larry]

Actually you are old enough to get a CDL, you are allowed a CDL at 18 but you can't go out of your home state until your 21. As far as CR England DON'T there are a lot of other companies I would go with such as Swift or Werner, I know McElroy Trucking is based in Cuba, Alabama and I think they hire recent school graduates. Hell you can go to trucking school now and get a CDL.

 

[Jonathan]

I realy am clueless about trucking i had a gandfather that did it but passes when i was 7. I called the DMV and they said i had to be 21 to get the licens for CDL class A but i could get CDL cladd B at 19. is it hard to find a job were i stay in my state?

Thanks
Jonathan

 

[Larry]

I realy am clueless about trucking i had a gandfather that did it but passes when i was 7. I called the DMV and they said i had to be 21 to get the licens for CDL class A but i could get CDL cladd B at 19. is it hard to find a job were i stay in my state?

Thanks
Jonathan

I know in most states you can get a Class A CDL at 18 but stay in state. As far as finding a job instate try your local dump truck, excavating, and even farm companies. I know the local dump truck and excavating companies up here want me to be 21 or have experience. But the only way I can get a job is getting on with a farm operation.

 

[Jonathan]

Thanks that helps alot im going to look into it tomorrow. iknow i see alot of places that want you to be 25 i guess for insurance reasons.

 

[Larry]

Thanks that helps alot im going to look into it tomorrow. iknow i see alot of places that want you to be 25 i guess for insurance reasons.

For the most part yeah.

 

[patriciajnsn]

Welcome to the forum jonathon youve heard alot of bad things about crengland now why would u wanna drive for a company that is well hated by many drivers chances of u actually staying with them a yr arent that great why do u choose crengland i would keep exploring your options dont take the first company that sounds good because of some sweet talken lieing recruiter they dont know anything the real ones to ask like youre doing is the drivers ive never drove for crengland and never will either ive heard too many bad things thats good your doing your homework now on truckillg i would study the manuals then by the time you will start driving trk itll come easy to u u didnt like being a corrictional officer huh my ex boyfriend was a retired marine working as an prisonofficer and youre absolutely right many wont hire till youre 25 for insurance reasons alot will hireat 23 also
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[Larry]

Actually I was talking to a member here who shall remain nameless and he told that insurance requirement was a bunch of B.S. it was the companies way of politely telling you we won't hire you.

 

[Jonathan]

I called the DMV today and they just want to give me the run around but i did get in touch with a guy that said he could get me my licens for $800 he would train me and let me use his truck is this a good deal? I guess you guys are right about CR England i should prob explore a little more after all i do have a wile before i can drive out of state any ways

Jonathan

 

[Larry]

I called the DMV today and they just want to give me the run around but i did get in touch with a guy that said he could get me my licens for $800 he would train me and let me use his truck is this a good deal? I guess you guys are right about CR England i should prob explore a little more after all i do have a wile before i can drive out of state any ways

Jonathan

$800 that ain't bad. I know the trucking schools charge anywhere between $3,000-$5,000 for 4 weeks and not guaranteed a job, sure you get a prehire but doesn't mean a job though. Is he gonna hook you up with a job running his truck?

 

[Jonathan]

He does this for alot of people i think so he wont let me drive for him but i can get the licens not sure about the job but i guess id be one step closer if i had the licens. He claims i can have them in 5 days should i believe him on this or not.

Jonathan

 

[Larry]

Hmmmm 5 days, I would pass on that! I would go to a community college if they offer truck driver training. If you can't find a community college close enough then I would try a 3rd party truck driving school but with the community college you would get much better training and with the community college you could qualify for a government grant such as the pell grant which you wouldn't have to pay back.

 

[Jonathan]

I didnt know a college offered that ill have to look into it. As far as getting my licens if i do get them will i still have to take the corse that the truck company offers too such as getting a trainer ect or would i go straight into my own truck?

Jonathan

 

[Larry]

If a company hires you, you will still have to go out for a month with a trainer, it's standard policy with most carriers. It's considered on the job training.

 

[Jonathan]

Ok so as far as taking the test again and stuff no right.

Jonathan

 

[Larry]

Once you have the CDL you don't have to take anymore tests. But if you don't use your CDL after so long the larger companies such as Swift, Werner, etc will want you to waste $3000 to take a "refresher" course, in other words go back to trucking school to refresh your skills. Smaller companies don't do that crap, they will just take you on a company road test and if you pass they will put you in a truck.

 

[tom a]

Tom A

What can you expect to take home before taxes, after all exspenses, being an o/operator. Say you are getting 1.oo per mile. I know this very broad question, I'm just trying to see if trucking is some thing for me. Thanks for any imput

 

[Larry]

$1.00 a mile...........No owner operator in their right mind would haul for that cheap. The average cost of running a truck is anywhere depending on what is paid for by the company is $1.30-$2.00 but if your a true independent then your costs will be $2.00-more. $1.00 a mile is way to cheap these days and that wouldn't even cover fuel.

 

[Tn. Trucker]

What can you expect to take home before taxes, after all exspenses, being an o/operator. Say you are getting 1.oo per mile. I know this very broad question, I'm just trying to see if trucking is some thing for me. Thanks for any imput

At a 1.00 a mile you would be in a losing situation. Where I live fuel is currently 2.759 a gallon and I get six miles to a gallon. Thats .46 a mile for the fuel and you have to keep in mind that they pay PC miles, meaning less then actual milage. If your truck is not paid for you will most likely loose it or you will live in it. Right now there are more trucks then freight so you have to take what you can get. I would say that now is the time to leave trucking if there are any options available. I figure that my non moving cost a day is about 40.00, that should cover license, tax and insurance. Right now if you can get a better rate, keep it to yourself or someone will do it cheaper.

 

[Tn. Truckers Wife]

$1.00 a mile...........No owner operator in their right mind would haul for that cheap. The average cost of running a truck is anywhere depending on what is paid for by the company is $1.30-$2.00 but if your a true independent then your costs will be $2.00-more. $1.00 a mile is way to cheap these days and that wouldn't even cover fuel.

Larry honey, if your going to give out information it should be more accurate....
Container haulers ARE getting $1.00 per mile...It really depends on WHAT type of job you are doing when it comes to trucking...When you haul for someone like Landstar you get paid one way and you do alot of dead heading...When you haul containers you get paid there and back so there are no dead head miles...