$6500.00 dollars to get a CDL , wholly cow !

[fastfredracing]

I just passed my Class 3 State Inspection Class last night. I can now legally inpsect vehicles up to 26,000 GVW . To do anything heavier, I need a CDL.
I have always wanted to get one anyhow. I just called the local truck driving school, and was kind of shocked. I was expecting 1500, and a few weekends. It is actually more like 10 weekends, and 6500 samolions .
I don't really intend on driving a big rig, just wanted to add this to my list of certifications, and maybe open up some doors for me later on in life .
Are there any easier ways to go about it ?? I am willing to put the time in, but man, that is a lot of cabbage

[legion]

Yep, I looked into it here in IL about 10 years ago. I just have a casual interest and just wanted to learn to drive a big rig. At the time, it was $4,500 for the class, for four weeks straight, with mandatory drug testing (wouldn't be a problem, but I still don't like it).

My understanding is the vast majority of students are "sponsored" by a trucking company, and have to work for a certain amount of time (usually around two years) to pay back the debt. Part of me wonders if the cost isn't high just to discourage casual or self-funded learners to the benefit of the big trucking companies. (They are willing to pay big bucks for the classes because it discourages competition for drivers, therefore the schools charge as much as the big trucking are willing to pay.)

[GG Allin]

I've been around big trucks for 26 years. I've only up until now held a B class CDL. Non combination vehicle, no weight restriction, air brakes......

About two years ago I decided to learn how to drive an tractor trailer on my own. Basically get the feel for them here in the yard where I work. I have five trucks here and there is always the need to switch doors or drop and hook. It really didn't take too long to get real good at backing one in. Fortunately, school is not required to bump up to an A class.

I could not imagine being in a position where I had to pay for truck driving school. The guys that go through that still come out with zero experience. It's impossible to find a good job with zero experience.

[greglepore]

Modern truck driving is indentured servitude at the beginner level. Looked into it as a retirement gig-schools are in the range cited above, and yeah, most students are sponsored then have to work it off. There's nowhere to sleep many nights, rest stops are full/full, and guys are sleeping on offramps and getting harassed by cops for doing so. Plus the modern time out requirements mean stress and watching the clock all the time. And you can sit at the mercy of an offloading logistics terminal for ridiculous time,and of course you can't leave the load, ever.

Nah. I really feel for the young guys breaking in.

[GG Allin]

Originally Posted by greglepore

Modern truck driving is indentured servitude at the beginner level. Looked into it as a retirement gig-schools are in the range cited above, and yeah, most students are sponsored then have to work it off. There's nowhere to sleep many nights, rest stops are full/full, and guys are sleeping on offramps and getting harassed by cops for doing so. Plus the modern time out requirements mean stress and watching the clock all the time. And you can sit at the mercy of an offloading logistics terminal for ridiculous time,and of course you can't leave the load, ever.

Nah. I really feel for the young guys breaking in.

Mandatory eLogs kick in at the end of the year. No more cheating. Things are gonna change quite a bit.

[asphaltgambler]

I have had my "B" CDL with all the current endorsements required in Va. since 1999. Many years prior to that I had a Va "Chauffeurs" license which enabled me to drive any thing out there short of a semi.

In 1999 I made a career change and obtained my CDL as a plan "B". I used to drive and maintain an asphalt truck at night for a friend - which paid really good per clock hour. During the day I was attending various computer classes / boot camp schools and honing my interview skills.

It was a big part of the reason I was the chosen candidate for the government position I hold now. Back then - he let me use his truck to take the test. I have almost "0" invested in mine other than hard work.

[unclebilly]

There was a recent thread about this...

I am self taught. The company I work for (as an engineer) would have trained me free but I could never justify the time or taking the trainers away from the guys eho needed it for work.

I bought my own truck to use on my farm, drove it home without a license and started practicing. After a few months, I did my test and passed first try. The key is watching the tach and rev matching - you can't do it by ear in the beginning.

My truck had an 18 speed. It is 450 RPM per gear change or 225 if you split gears.

Basically, watch the tach. Rev to 1800, poke the throttle and pull it into neutral, as the revs drop to 1500, apply light pressure on the next higher gear and it will pop in. The same goes for down shifting. I like to leave the engine brake on, it makes shifting a bit faster but it's up to you.

Despite what I thought at one point, it is nothing like heal - toe down shifting. You have to rev match perfectly. Don't get in a rush going through gears and you will be fine. It takes 1/4-3/8 of a mile to down shift from highway speed before a turn so you have to pay attention.

When things are dumb, I enjoy hopping in the truck and going for a drive.

[Dan J]

I got my CDL A about 25 years ago for half price at a truck driving school because I convinced the owner that I could actually drive the truck
Sad thing was of all the guys that took the test on the day I did I was the only one that passed
also the only one that paid 1/2 price

[Rikao4]

Let's just say you are misinformed..
Sure bad and cheap training are / shortcuts are available..
Those days are almost over..
Test in tx 2 hrs..

It's not a job or career...
Lifestyle..what works.
Certain breed..

Rika

[Don Ro]

Originally Posted by afterburn 549

That is why the road is full of rude, stupid, hungry, angry trk drivers.

Remember the days when truck drivers were friendly, courteous, road savvy?
They'd blink back a "Thank You" when you flashed your brights to let them know that the clearance was OK once they passed you.
Not much any more.
.
On a long stretch in Nevada I once pulled over into the fast lane to let a big rig remain in the slow lane as it moved past me...he blinked a "Thank you" at me.
Something is lost these days.

[URY914]

I looked in to it a few years back. Thought it might be a good thing to have. When I spoke to the adviser/salesman he said after training you hit the road and you're not home for a year.

[PorscheGAL]

I have a class B with passenger bus and school bus endorsements. My suggestion is: Take the written test to get your permit. Find someone willing to let you learn on their truck. You don't have to go through a school. Final test will be easy for you because it involves an inspection and a drive portion. It is not going to be a hard task. Good Luck.

[GG Allin]

Originally Posted by URY914

I looked in to it a few years back. Thought it might be a good thing to have. When I spoke to the adviser/salesman he said after training you hit the road and you're not home for a year.

That is a part of the industry I'm aware of but no nothing about, thankfully.

If you can get near a large international airport - ATL, ORD, IAH etc......It's FTL coming and going all day every day, home every night. Airfreight trucking is where the money is at.

[epbrown]

Originally Posted by URY914

I looked in to it a few years back. Thought it might be a good thing to have. When I spoke to the adviser/salesman he said after training you hit the road and you're not home for a year.

The lady across the street has a 20-something son living with her. Last summer, he got his CDL - he still lives with her, but I've seen him maybe twice in the past year. I guess he did something like this, as he says he's got a few months before he can quit the company he drives for. He wants to get a gig for a local company, shuffling trailers around the ship yard.

[URY914]

When I spoke to them it seemed that the ownership of the school was tied in to several of the major OTR lines. He said if I signed a contract with one their "sponsors" the cost of the school would be reimbursed. So its a feeder system for the trucking companies and of course they asked if I was a veteran. They conveniently accept the GI Bill or whatever it is called now.

[Jesset100]

Another thing about CDL's is if you don't use it you loose it. 33 years driving, just 2 more years and i'm done.

[Bill Douglas]

Originally Posted by Jesset100

Another thing about CDL's is if you don't use it you loose it.

That's tough. I've had the equivenlent since I was about 21. Haha, I haven't driven a truck since about then too. I'd be totally dangerous.

[GWN7]

My nephew decided that being a long distance truck driver would be a cool thing to do. I think he watched rerun of BJ and the Bear. His mother told me it was $15,000 to get his air brake endorsement and his Class 1 licence. I pointed out no company would hire a 17 year old with no experience and hand him the keys to a $150,000 truck.

[unclebilly]

Originally Posted by GWN7

My nephew decided that being a long distance truck driver would be a cool thing to do. I think he watched rerun of BJ and the Bear. His mother told me it was $15,000 to get his air brake endorsement and his Class 1 licence. I pointed out no company would hire a 17 year old with no experience and hand him the keys to a $150,000 truck.

That seems like it's out by an order of magnitude...

[Jesset100]

Originally Posted by GWN7

My nephew decided that being a long distance truck driver would be a cool thing to do. I think he watched rerun of BJ and the Bear. His mother told me it was $15,000 to get his air brake endorsement and his Class 1 licence. I pointed out no company would hire a 17 year old with no experience and hand him the keys to a $150,000 truck.

Actually the U.S. Army would.