Trucking: Career Change!, otr companies, truck driving school

Question
I'm thinking about changing my career, to something a little quieter,freer, and the idea of driving OTR keeps popping into my head. So much, in fact, that I am going to get my CDL A permit this week. My question is this: If I obtain my permit on my own is it possible to find a (maybe)small company that i could work with to get the actual license? I'm trying to do this as inexpensive, and logical as i can ( large schools = expense + large classes). I think  that one on one with an experienced driver would benefit me much more then a school would. Do you know of any companies that do this? Or is this impractical?
Thanks!

Answer
Hi Kimball.

You sound like me about 16 years ago!  Will a small company help you get a license?  Perhaps.  Let me give you my two cents.  I went through a driving school for two months back in 1991.  I got financial aid through Uncle Sam and the school helped find it and sent in all the paperwork (it is, of course, in their best interest).  I wasn't sold on the school until I finally sat in class.  My teacher was an ex-OTR driver and gave me a ton of valuable information that I still use to this day! I learned a lot.  Both on the "yard" shifting and backing up trucks all day, to in the classroom.

Now schools push new drivers out too quick.  Some in a couple of weeks, and that isn't enough.  I would encourage you to look into some schools.  A good school is going to teach you not only driving, but everything from safety inspections to log books.  It puts you that much ahead of the game.  Not only that, but say it doesn't work out with the small company who helped you get a CDL, most other companies won't look at you with little experience and no school.  Their insurance companies will have no part of it.

Now on the other hand, you want to go OTR and now your options open up.  Many big OTR companies have their own truck driving school.  After you graduate, you have to drive with them for a specific amount of time.  To me, that's a great deal because it's like are getting a $3000 or $4000 bonus check when you start.  Of course, if you leave the company early, they'll send you a bill for the school.  I think most companies require you to drive 6 months to a year.  Check with each company, though.

The other great thing about big company schools is that they are widely recognized by the trucking community.  Again, more doors will open up for you in the future with US Xpress's driving school on your application than "Dave's Hauling helped me get my CDL".

After you go through their school, you'll run teams with a trainer for a few weeks.  He'll grade you and then when your ready, bump you up to first seat.  Then you get your own truck.

Go to web sites like www.classadrivers.com and www.bubbajunk.com and numerous, good trucking companies will pop up.  Many of them have their own schools.  Get a pen and a pad and write down a few questions.

A)  How long is your school?
B)  How long do I have to drive for you and what if I leave early?
C)  How long will I be with a trainer?
D)  Where will I run (East Coast, West Coast, Southeast)?
E)  What's my pay?
F)  What kind of benefits do you offer?
G)  What's your time off policy?
H)  What kind of equipment do you run?
I)  Where is you closest terminal to me?

There are many questions you should ask, these are only a few.  Fill out your paper, now you can evaluate each one.  See which one best fits you.

Let me finish by saying, go to school.  If it's a private truck driving school or a companie's, if your serious about an OTR career, look into it!

Let me know if I can be of further help.

Good luck!

Bob Stephens