Iguess

I ran into a guy that has a hotshoting co. He wants me to work for him but I need a cdl. I know you can take the writin at the local dmv and then go take your driving at you pick from a list they give up. I dont know that much about getting the cdl so I dont know if I can pass it. The guy that has the co. has a cdl but does not have air brakes because he took it in his truck.
I have been thinking and may want to go to a vocational school to get some hands on. Then if I want to upgrade to an class 8 hotshoting or drive for a local co later I will know about everything. If I get my cdl without air brakes then I will have to go back and get it.
So I would like to know if there is a place you know of that I can going that dont want 6k for the class or a grant I can get to pay for something like roadmaster.
Please tell me what you think I should do or something I should know. Thanks for the help.
By the way I am in the Tampa Fl.

strokerace

I took mine recently and got my class A with air brakes, tanker, double and triple endorsements. I thought it was best to get it all now so I have it in case I ever need, its easier to do it now than go back later. I didnt go to any school or anything, I just got the book from the dmv and studied it front to back, I went and took my written test, got my physical and got the permit. I found a guy who gave me a chance to drive a truck, since I'm only 19 it was all in state. 5 months later I went back and rented their truck and took my test. I had $150 in testing fees, $35 for the permit, $50 for the physical. Alot cheaper than if I would have went to school, and I also got paid while i was getting practice in a truck. I'm not saying the schools are bad, you learn alot there, my buddies dad went to one, but I got the same license for $200 versus $6000. I figure its a good fall back job, you always see people hiring drivers. I dont know what floridas cdl and dot laws are but thats just my .02 from indiana. Good luck with your license

Rednax

Check with community colleges. Ours gets you going in 3-weeks their ads say. I got mine over ten years ago at a school, some excellent instructors. Go all the way, get all the endorsements and keep them up. I let my Haz-mat slide and now have to go back for it. I may go and get the bus endorsement just to have it. Never know.

Remember one thing: NO accidents, NO tickets. That'll sink you faster than anything. Recruiters fall all over a guy with a perfect record and three-plus years of driving. The whole business depends on guys too dumb for words; they run themselves ragged and then wonder why no one will hire them. It's simple: insurance. Run legal. CB, and detectors (illegal in commercial vehicles), won't keep you from paying fines. Hotshot can run you down quickly, just be steady and reliable.

GAmes

They are all the same. You must have missed that chapter while studying the book from front to back.

vzdude

Ask some people with experience that have used the different testing facilities. I took mine twice! If I had listened to those that told me, I would have only had to do it once. Save yourself the trouble and make sure to go to the site that doesn't have the 50% pass ratio! I took mine the second time and passed no problem. The first facility tried to tell me that I missed too many things to even take the driving test! While we were reviewing things I tried to point out to the instructor/tester that I SAID that!!!!! He said...hmmmm didn't hear it?.........Bogus.......just in it for the $$$$ . Ask around , and ask for references. Try to take it at the bigger facilities. I took my forst one at a mom and pop joint. RIPOFF! Second one I took at a Schneider facility...........best way to go in my opinion.

Iguess

Thanks for all the info. I have been asking around for some time now because before this came along I was going to try semis. I have not found a place that does not cost 5-8k

secondchance221

you can go to crist online cdl testing and take test to help you on your way they are free but get the cdl book first from you state and read b4 the test they give you the answers after the test and yours also against the right ones. hope this helps

Iguess

So read the cdl book first? I found crist site but dont know what your saying.
Thanks

AggieJustin

Get the CDL book. Read it and study it first, then you can use the Crist CDL testing site to run through some practice tests to make sure you have the info down. Once you've got that info down, you'll be ready to take the written test so you can get your permit. Then you need a rig to drive so that you can do the driving portion of your test. The rig you use will have to match with which endorsements you want for your license (i.e. if you want to be licensed for air brakes, you'll need to test with a rig that has air brakes)

If you can study the rules and regs in the book and find someone to take you through the things you need to know for the driving test and get some wheel time for practice, you don't need to find a full program to go through.

Bonshawman

Beware - in FLORIDA if you take a CDL-A test using a truck with a GOOSENECK (not 5TH WHEEL) connection your license will be limited to "gooseneck only".
Check with the DMV. That means you won't have the option of driving a commercial truck other than a hotshot or bigshot rig.

If you take the test with a 5th wheel you'll obtain an unrestricted CDL-A (assuming you pass...)

Good luck

shorthair

Having had a class A CDL for over 25 years my best advice to any & all who consider it is if single ok if you have a family & like to have time to help your kids grow do not even consider trucking. And if they tell you that they will get you home on a schedule tell them to write it in blood "theirs" & watch 'em back peddle & if they give you a warm feeling its just the smoke they're blowing up your backside. If it seems like I don't trust em I don't, remember that once you are commited $$$ wise they know they have you & can & will bleed you dry in a 1,000 + 1 ways, if their lips are moving they are lying & even a politican tells the truth on occasion dispatchers don't.

secondchance221

shorthair speaks the truth, if you go on the road you will most likey stay away from home way more than you want and GOD forbide you buy your own then you will see what work really is ,if you upkeep you equipment working properly and paying the bills. now that is said from owning over 15 big and small rigs if you decide to do it i wish you all the luck in the world it is an exciting life with the world and the white line fever as your office and boss.

hammerjammer

I can tell you are someone who has been there and done that,everything you say is true. Trucking is a dirty, crooked business that grinds people up, like as in cannon fodder.

shorthair

The biggest reason they want owner-operators is when freight slows down & it will guess who does not run & when you sit it ain't very offten that you do it at home.

Rednax

Still, a year on the road as a coolie (indentured; a slave) and your prospects look better for being hired on at a better company.

I did my year OTR and then hired on as a regional driver. Paid hourly (50-52 hrs/week); worked four days (off Wednesday and weekends). Was bushed much of the time, but being bushed while at home beats any truckstop, anywhere.

No, not a good job for a family man. No kids, or kids gone, it is a little better assuming the right job and the right company.

I'm crazy enought to want to do it again. Just got the Haz-Mat back and now to go get a TWIC card.