r/CDL

I recently obtained a CDL B with no endorsements. I am beginning to search for jobs but should I instead add on an endorsement or two? What are some good first jobs for a clean CDL B? Thank you in advance.

My partner's been driving OTR for a while and we learned the hard way that settlement statements aren't always right. Found a missing fuel surcharge on a trip once that wouldn't have jumped out unless you sat down and lined up the numbers load by load.

Since then I've been wondering how other drivers handle this. Do you keep your own trip log and compare it when the settlement hits, or do you just go off the sheet and call dispatch if something feels off?

Curious what you all actually do day to day. Do you track your own miles per load, or just trust what the sheet says?

For the Ohio area.

I am trying to get CDL class A training, however I need financial aid but places like Ohio means jobs, Roads2work and WIOA are currently stalled and can not provide aid right now and so far no word when they will be up again. I'm looking at other places, roadmaster, schneider, and a few others.

I am trying to look at all options and work out the best option under the circumstances. I can't afford to pay for training out of pocket.

Doe anyone have advice? Companies that won't totally screw me over if they train me?

Hey ya'll I'll keep this short n sweet! Applied for a dump truck job and went in for "training" today. All they did beforehand was run my license with their insurance. Today when I came in they wanted me to drive the truck with my trainer. I have not been drug tested (pre employment) and they have not checked my clearinghouse. I declined because I didn't feel comfy driving because of that. What if I hit something or got into an accident? I'm not an employee and have not filled out ANY paperwork. I've only had my CDL since last Nov but I've never been allowed behind the wheel without a pre employment drug test. Do I stay or do I jump ship due to red flags? I'm supposed to go in and drive tomorrow. Thanks!

Edit: Adding here that when I asked my trainer he said this company does NOT do pre employment drug testing period. They only do the random ones. This is a small dump truck company.

I have been driving 26 foot trucks in NYC for 15 years so I am no complete newbie but i am finally going to go to CDL school in a couple weeks. My main motivation here is to get a hazmat and tanker endorsement and drive for a propane delivery company upstate. I am considering just going all in and getting my CDL A just to have it. I really don't want to go OTR. Anyone here drive for a propane delivery service? How do you like it? Do you think it will be a total waste of time to get my CDL A even though I dont intend to drive combos?

I have a dilemma I applied for Mta for bus operator a few months ago you were new cdl A driver they recently called me for me to do my pre-employment too small children and one on the way also I have a interview to be a school bus driver as well school bus driver fits my schedule for when my youngest daughter gets out of school and I’m hearing that the MTA Bus Operator requires a lot of time at the beginning of the career. Just wanted to get an opinion from people with experience ?

I’m located in West Virginia near the Southern Ohio border, and I’m starting a 6-week CDL program next month. I’m willing to travel anywhere or relocate for the right opportunity. I’m looking to go straight to work after graduating and am open to OTR or regional work.

I’m looking for recommendations on companies that are willing to hire new CDL graduates and help them build experience. Ideally, I’d like to find a company where I can bring home around $1,000+ per week, if that’s realistic for a new driver.

I’ve been with the same employer for 8 years and have worked hard to build a stable life for my family. I haven’t had any tickets or charges since 2016 (10 years) and license were suspended until 2019. I had a DUI and misdemeanor marijuana possession. but I’ve stayed clean, focused, and working hard ever since. I know the license suspension for 3 years will disqualify me from alot of companies. Ive gone about 7 years without any infractions or issues at all. I was young and foolish and didn’t realize the issues that it would cause me down the road.

I’ll have my CDL along with Tanker, Hazmat, and Doubles/Triples endorsements.

I have a couple of kids and I’m doing this to build a better future for my family. I’m willing to sacrifice and work as hard as necessary to get the experience I need. If that means staying out on the road for a year or two, I’m willing to do it.

I’d really appreciate recommendations on CDL-friendly companies, especially those willing to take new drivers, and any advice from experienced drivers on where to start.

Thanks in advance!

edit : I’ve considered Keller Logistics (not sure if background will be an issue there.)
Boyd bro’s
Prime
Schneider .
Open to more suggestions to consider.

Got 5 months CDL-A with Swift OTR. A local company back home in San Diego recruited me as a CDL driver.
They made the job sound good in the interview and didn't tell me their only big rig was a manual until after I'd already put my notice in at Swift. I have an automatic restriction, but they said they'd train me so I could get it removed.
The guy who was supposed to train me got fired, so now I'm spending most of my shift stacking 25-30 Ib bags on pallets. Now they're talking about paying someone to come to the site for one week to teach me stick and then expecting me to drive.
Would you stick it out for the manual/local experience or start applying elsewhere? Is one week realistic to learn a manual big rig?

I was looking for advice, I’m starting prime inc Monday. Trying to stay for a year or two then move onto bigger and better. Any advice for orientation. Since I used a military waiver I have to go thru psd due to no cdl school, but that’s whatever. I won’t owe them any money and I’m not using the 200 a week “loan”. Any advice on the process is appreciated

I plan on getting my Class A CDL in a few months in manual. It’s only a 2 day advanced CDL course. So I would have a CDL but no experience or many hours. They offer 5 and 6 speed trucks. You also don’t have to double clutch. So how would I learn to drive a 13 or 18 speed?

If I don’t get lucky and get hired locally. I’ll have to find an otr job and do that for a while. Which I’m fine with.

My question is. How can I get hired somewhere driving a manual truck? Because I’d technically still not know how. But I’d love to learn how to drive a 13 or 18 speed. And I’d prefer to drive a manual truck once I learn. I have a good idea on how they work I’ve just never driven one. I’ve driven plenty of passenger manual vehicles. But I know that’s completely different. Are there otr companies that offer manual trucks?

It is so backwards to me that with a CDL you can pound 100 beers a day, with zero consequences, but you take one puff of the devils lettuce and your job, license, and livelihood is on the line. I’m sure there are lots of opinions on this, but as a medical patient who has a newly acquired CDL, it’s just so dumb to me. I’ve stopped smoking for months now, but recently beginning to miss the positives a toke use to bring me. I’ve found myself drinking way more than I used to to cope. Yes, it’s a me problem; but still makes no sense to me.

I currently have my CDL I've had it for 2 years now I live in California and my license is from CA too, I want to get my restriction off but I'm getting mixed answers some saying I need to get a CLP and some saying I don't anyone know what's needed. Thank you

i'm searching for alternative jobs for a CDL holder that is not OTR and do not pair you up with a trainer in an isolated situation for long periods of time (i.e, in a truck cabin) that will take entry level (i.e, positions; i have very, very little experience), preferably around 46k a year (starting out). i am currently working at a company (about 2 weeks and 4 days in) and i went over the road.

it was the most traumatic experience i have ever gone through in my life and i was terrified the entire time (and i got into this OTR industry to get out of my hometown after my brother took his own life and i found his body, and these past 3 days was more traumatizing). not going into details about the what or the how or the why for now, but i was terrified for my life and my teacher was abusive, unpredictable, and volatile, and i was scared of him (at one point i thought he was going to attack me and i genuinely backed up) i'm not feeling it anymore (largely because i am afraid of receiving another trainer and being trapped in a place i cannot escape from easily).

i just want ideas for CDL jobs (i.e, bus driver for the government, construction, etc). i haven't given up on my current company (although they have very, very, very bad rep with me and there is NO CHANCE i stay with them long term if i do stay) but i'm looking for alternatives as a safety net because rn i'm in another city (after three days of terror), with no realistic way back as of now unless the company (tm) comes down and graces me with a way back (which they should). they might pair me up with another trainer/leader but mentally i am not prepared to go OTR again for at least 3 days. give me any ideas, thanks (just jobs; not specific companies, just common entry-level positions/ideas) or companies/job finding agencies that can help me find a job.

sorry if i said something bad/improper, i'm in another city alone with almost nothing and scared.

edit: non-CDL jobs/CDL-B jobs are on the table too (delivery like amazon, etc). i just need income.

As the title says, I’ve been waitlisted to even get an appointment for my road test. I’ve done all my classroom and road training to get my CDL so I can drive a school bus for this coming school year. And when I called to make a road test appointment, they put me on a waitlist and said they’d call me when something opens. Wouldn’t give me an idea of how long it could be.. is anybody else also going through the same thing? My trainer says that there were only four people licensed to do the test in New Hampshire, but two of them quit about a month or so ago, I’m assuming this is the cause…

I usually go home every weekend, but opted to stay out to get a better load to end last week. Figured hey.. it should set me up for some decent stuff this week (it did not). First go to a shipper that took FOREVER to load people, not the worst thing but still..

Then go to a shipper that as SOON as i get there, a tornado warning hits. Heavy storm, hard winds, shipper and like everyone in a relative area lose power. Shipper sends all workers home and says they wont be able to load until MAYBE 530pm at the best, if enoigh pelople show up (they doubt they will). FM gets me off that load to a new one.

New one is schedueld to load at 7pm, and will not allow to load earlier, even though there is like no one there. Not the end of the world, just annoying. Get let in at 7pm... and they proceed to not load me until lile 9pm. Get out around 1030 with loading and securment done.

Get a nice easy load for today. Steel beams, super simple what can go wrong? Get to shipper and pull in. Get told im at the wrong lot, direct me out and across the street to the sign that says "truck entrance." Know what? Fair i missed that. Go over there and ask wherw shipping office is. "Im not sure but i think its off that way" - points in a direction "but its not on this lot".... okay. Cant find it still, run into a yard jockey who says to follow him and he will show me... takes me back to the original building i was at, where it indeed was the whole time.

Cool, great, lets get loaded. Get paperwork, told to go back to the 2nd lot i was sent to, and where to park. Get loaded and secured. Im outta here time to go home for the weekend! Woo! -FM calls "yea i need you to go back. They called me and said they gave you a wrong item and shorted you a couple beams." ..... time to backtrack 15 minutes or so, undo all my securement and unload i suppose.

Load is fixed, resecured, and im on my way home, lets go!

....truck making weird rumbling as i drive down the road.need to do a load check anyway.. lets check the tires. Drive tire went out, and is off the rim. 1 1/2 hours from home and now have to wait for a dang tire repair truck to come fix my tire. I just wanted to go home man. Lmao

Is it the worst week? Definately not, others will jave way worse stories obviously but just one thint after another this week gah

Anyone know how hard it is to start a CDL school nowadays? I know they've been hunting shady ones and quickly shutting down. Havent seen many come back on. Any ideas?

As somone who is trying to study for a cdl in mn... I think it would help me greatly if I could listen to the manual being read to me as I follow along.. anyone know of a YouTube video or series or something that would help? *please note ive read that it makes it easier for people to remember things if they hear it read to them so thats why im trying to do this*

Got my CDL couple years back I think I’m use it this time I’m go otr and stuff