This is a complete rundown of the process to becoming a professional driver. By the end of this article you should have a good basic framework to begin your journey.
This is, by far, the most common topic I have been asked about to date. So let’s get started!
Got Money?
The first question you need to answer is: Do you have the cash, or ability to take out a loan for the full amount of a private school, or community college program?
If this is a no-brainer, and not even a possibility, move on to the next section.
If you have the potential to take out a loan up to $10,000, or for some reason have this cash just lying around, then the first step you need to take is doing your research for your area.
Find all the possible schools you might go to. Oh yeah, and CALL THEM! Ask a lot of questions. Here is an example list of some of things you should be concerned about.
- Is the school going to provide you a truck for your examination, and will it cost you extra money?
- How long will the school generally take?
- What is the certified hours the course will award you? (Read more about this below)
- What is the condition of their equipment?
- Do they offer manual and automatic training? (This depends on what you want, and who you want to work for)
Do You Know Someone?
This is the most unlikely of the ways, but if you happen to know the owner of a trucking company, construction company, etc. You may be a really lucky lad or lady. I go more into depth with this option in my 4 Ways To Obtain Your CDL.
If this isn’t you, we are moving on yet again!
Yay Company Sponsored Programs!
The way this works is usually a company of your choosing will give you a conditional offer of employment. This contract will be dependent on the background information you provide them, and your ability to complete their schooling.
You are usually given a few chances to pass your examinations. If for some reason you do not pass your initial permit tests, or licensing exams, you will be sent home.
You will also be held responsible for the cost incurred by the company sending you to school. You will either have to pay the company or school back that you attended. Sometimes this can even be a third party bank that the company used to fund your education.
The company may also offer to keep you in school, and continue to making payments if you are showing effort. They have to see that you are making worthy attempts at your testing. This is somewhat rare, but an important safe guard to know about. Don’t let this scare you, you can do this!
Many company programs will ship you off to school. It will either be their own personal school, or a partnered contracted school.
Be prepared to spend a lot of time away from home. They will board you, and usually you will not get your own room. You will be rooming with one or more persons you do not know. Please don’t let this deter you either.
If you work hard, schooling shouldn’t take you longer than three to four weeks. Then you will be out of there with your CDL! You have to do a little bit of sacrificing sometimes to get yourself in a better position.
Choosing A Company Sponsored Program
If you need help choosing a company sponsored program, check out my article, Choosing A Company Sponsored CDL Program. I go into depth with a lot more aspects of the company training research process. If you want to know more, this article is for you!
After all this schooling comes the most nerve racking, and patience testing part, training!
Training
I don’t care who you are or who you know, more than likely a company is going to “train” you. I say this very half-heartedly, because not all training is created equal, or should even be given that title. None the less, let’s get into it.
Training can be a anywhere from a few days, weeks, even months. You could be living on the truck during that time, staying in hotels, or just doing day training. You will generally be assigned a trainer, or occasionally you may pick each other.
Your trainer could have anywhere from 3 months to 40 years of experience. As much as I’d like to change this criteria, I cannot. I can only give you advice, and information on the subject.
Most of the time you will be living OTR (over the road) with a trainer, unless you will be a dedicated driver. Even if you are going to be dedicated, or an OTR driver, your trainer may not match your career path, and that’s OK!
Experience Is Experience
Trust me. You will not learn everything you need to know in training. Just get through this portion, and remember you will never stop picking up knowledge.
You will learn so much from the mistakes of others, stories told on the road, and trial and error. There is no better way to learn than doing. So get on out there! The more you roll, the more you learn.
Don’t think you have to learn EVERYTHING in training. It’s impossible! It is just a tool to get you acclimated. Don’t go into it expecting more it just sets you up for failure. It’s all about the attitude.
If you want to know more about training I have a some more articles I’ve written solely on training. Just type the word “training” into the search bar linked in the menu section, check them out!
Are You There Yet?
Finally! You are a free man, sort of. If you have a contract, at this point you will usually get your own assigned company truck, or placed on a truck with a teammate (If you run for a team company). There are those few who are from the southeastern states that companies chose to team up for a few months before allowing them to go solo.
This is just a price you have to pay for living in these states, and I’m sorry. You all can rejoice though if you aren’t from Florida, because they by far have it the worst. Some companies require new Florida CDL drivers to have a full six months of team driving before they can drive solo.
If you paid your way, and you have no contractual agreement between any company, then you are in fact a free man! Congratulations!
Do Your Time
Company contracted drivers don’t fret. Almost all companies, that are not select mega carriers, require a level of experience. Everyone has to bite this bullet! Do your time. It’ll be tough, but it’ll be worth it.
You will feel defeated, underpaid, taken advantage of, but this comes with the territory. Trucking isn’t a gentle profession, it rewards those who are willing to work.
When you get into it, only then will you start to see how under appreciated the profession is. A lot of work that is essential to the job will never be paid for, but it can be the most rewarding profession of your life.
You just have to make the effort, and I will be here to support you all the way!
