Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: Brooke on January 08, 2019, 09:41:33 PM
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My niece's boyfriend wants to get his CDL. There's a class that costs $4400 and takes a month. Is that worth it? Is there much business for CDL drivers?
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I have one and as it is required for my job I would say yes.
Have you looked into the classifieds for listings?
Is he a self motivated individual IE: can work unsupervised?
If he does I would encourage him to get with a big transport program and apply there FIRST. Like UPS or other transport companies may fund the school for him if they hire him on condition of graduating and getting the license.
Just some thoughts
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Depends how old he is and how long he wants to drive. I give it 20 years or less until robots are driving all commercial vehicles.
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Is your niece's boyfriend a robot Booke?
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What we'd like to do is have a small business that does land services (small-scale excavation, grading, delivering gravel, clearing out brush, etc.) since we already have equipment (wanting to make more use of it). To drive around a dump truck or haul a skid steer, he needs a CDL.
But I don't know if $4k for a CDL course is a good price or not, and I don't know if there is other work hauling around stuff in a dump truck and/or trailer in case there isn't much land-service work available.
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Companies are springing up all over the place hiring CDL drivers so they can contract with Amazon and Fed-X to make deliveries.
Seems to be a very fast growing business.
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Brooke, their varying classes of CDL licenses then on top of the different types of CDL license their are like 6 to 8 (or maybe more these days) endorsements like Hazmat, doubles/triples trailers, tankers, etc....
$4400.00 seems a bit high to get training for getting CDL...
If y'all have access to a dump truck or semi and you are trying to get your CDL, all you really need to do is go to the DMV and get the manual to study for whichever type CDL he needs...he can tell them at the DMV what he is going to be driving/using/doing and they will tell him which type of CDL and/or endorsements he might need...most states will furnish a study guide/manual.....some might charge a small fee
Trying to type this as simple as possible.... But $4,400.00 is way to much, especially if y'all already have the dump truck or semi and trailer/equipment y'all will be working with....just get the study material and let DMV know what you will be doing and they will let you know what CDL type/class y'all need and any possible endorsements
1 other thing, probably going to need a DOT physical also, but that's pretty simple and easy
Hope this helps
TC
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From scratch it is 5K here in Sacramento. But yea if you have equipment then tell the school that and maybe you can get a reduced price and do all the skills testing with the truck he is going to drive. Here in Commifornia the DMV won't let you skills test without an endorsement from a school.
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Heck Ditto, you could most likely be the same requirement in all the US, this day and time.....with the way the Trucking Industry has changed since the mid '90's....
I haven't kept up with it since I was put into retirement/disabled back in 09....
If one is going to go through a "Truck Driving School" to learn how to drive a Truck/Semi and then get their DOT physical and take the written exam and Driving test to get their CDL, then they will pay $3500+ upwards of 7k for it...
That school, instructor, maintaining the School's Trucks along with fuel costs and truck fees, etc don't come cheap...
There are ways around getting signed off on for endorsement / experience and what not.... Just got to know how to get around "red tape"
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Watch firms that promise to put you in a rig and you make payments to own. They will give you plenty of work early to let you make most of the payments and then slow you down so you can't meet your payments. Take your truck when it is almost paid off.
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My niece's boyfriend wants to get his CDL.
He'll VERY quickly find out if he wants to do keep doing it. I know more than a few folks who got it, got behind the wheel, then "broke". They just could NOT handle it. There is a LOT more that needs to be accounted for.
There's a class that costs $4400 and takes a month. Is that worth it?
That really depends on a few things. Is it for a Class A or Class B? What endorsements will he be getting along with the course, if any?
Is there much business for CDL drivers?
All you have to do is do a job search online for your/his area. That will give you a rough indication of not only what types they are looking for, but roughly how many of each. Just gotta dig a little.
He might want to look at applying for a company that will cover most, if not all, the stuff required. I think most require you to pay for the DOT Physical however. My company covered everything, the DOT Physical, test/license, etc. I paid out of pocket, 1 dollar, which was the processing fee the DMV charges. However, I drive buses, so it's only a Class B with the P endorsement. Don't let that fool you though. :) For a good while I was driving a 60' articulated bus. They weigh a bit more than they look. ;)
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My job requires a CDL. I work for an electric utility. A CDL is not for use by trucking companies alone. Many construction and utility companies require a CDL in order to operate their vehicles. The gentleman should do his research, into whatever field he wishes to make a career, before making a decision regarding a CDL.
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My job requires a CDL. I work for an electric utility. A CDL is not for use by trucking companies alone. Many construction and utility companies require a CDL in order to operate their vehicles. The gentleman should do his research, into whatever field he wishes to make a career, before making a decision regarding a CDL.
True... sometimes a CDL is just needed to pull your RV.
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True... sometimes a CDL is just needed to pull your RV.
Unless your state has some kind of ridiculous requirement, that is not the case. Unless you are using your RV as a money making enterprise or doing deliveries of RV's. In short the C of CDL stands for commercial and if you ain't makin money by driving, it ain't commercial. Even sedan operations can require a CDL if driven for work and or money, like taxis etc. I used to be a commercial vehicle and driver inspector to include haz mat. I also full time rv'ed using a Volvo 660 semi towing our 5th wheel for 13 years over most of the lower 48 and Mexico (briefly). The Volvo was converted to motorhome registration in Montana. My home state at the time (AZ) did not require anything other than an operators license to drive any RV including towed RV's
Many states have different grades of licenses that are short of the CDL to include weight and at times category of equipment (ie air brakes). Those are still not the federally mandated CDL and do not require the same testing and physical exam.
As has been noted above there are various kinds of CDL categories and not all schools teach much of anything but over the road style trucking. The applicant needs to determine what requirements are pertinent to the job before signing up for any instruction course. They may just be wasting their time and money otherwise.
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Freaking thing started to quote itself during editing.
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Unless your state has some kind of ridiculous requirement, that is not the case. Unless you are using your RV as a money making enterprise or doing deliveries of RV's. In short the C of CDL stands for commercial and if you ain't makin money by driving, it ain't commercial. Even sedan operations can require a CDL if driven for work and or money, like taxis etc. I used to be a commercial vehicle and driver inspector to include haz mat. I also full time rv'ed using a Volvo 660 semi towing our 5th wheel for 13 years over most of the lower 48 and Mexico (briefly). The Volvo was converted to motorhome registration in Montana. My home state at the time (AZ) did not require anything other than an operators license to drive any RV including towed RV's
Many states have different grades of licenses that are short of the CDL to include weight and at times category of equipment (ie air brakes). Those are still not the federally mandated CDL and do not require the same testing and physical exam.
As has been noted above there are various kinds of CDL categories and not all schools teach much of anything but over the road style trucking. The applicant needs to determine what requirements are pertinent to the job before signing up for any instruction course. They may just be wasting their time and money otherwise.
Actually only a few states do not require CDL for certain size RVs. Many states have requirements based on GVW that include RVs being pulled by individuals.
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http://changingears.com/rv-sec-state-rv-license.shtml
Seems only DC and possibly Delaware.
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http://changingears.com/rv-sec-state-rv-license.shtml
Seems only DC and possibly Delaware.
Actually here in Texas they can get a class A DL if GVW over 26001 lbs. So I stand corrected.
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This makes me think I should get my CDL here in Oregon for the rare occasions when I rent a small dump truck and excavator. Ever since I moved here regulations on everything keep tightening and in some cases getting pretty pissant however, not in comparison to apparently everywhere else. Driving a 10 yard dump truck while towing a Bobcat safely is not rocket science and right now you just need to pass the tests and have had a commercial learners permit for 2 weeks. I am sure eventually they will have an education requirement like WA which for a small dump truck seems kind of stupid, your competence should be testable. If you want to do tractor trailers, hazardous materials, tankers well there I can see the point to mandatory education with a waiver for experience and testing.
I know right now there is a bit of a boom in dump truck driver demand but like all booms it will go bust soon enough when construction cools off.
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Lots of work out there driving water bottles and hauling sand etc.
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Lots of work out there driving water bottles and hauling sand etc.
Depends on area. There are very few calls for Class B anything here, some Class A's dumpers, but most are for regional work for owner/operator Class A's. Almost everything, with exception the large trucking companies, are asking for a min of 2-3yrs experience for those not asking for owner/operator.
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I've been driving for a little over 3 years with a class A license operating dry van freight atm but I have reefer and flatbed experience. Whether or not its worth it is really up to the person driving. I'm desperately trying to get out of the profession and into a commercial flying career.
Biggest things to take note of is the driver is always in the wrong, the DOT will be a nightmare to deal with a lot of the time, and its absolutely dangerous. Between trying to dodge cars that aren't paying attention all day and such, you also have to worry about people breaking into trucks and stealing or injuring/killing other drivers. My current company allows me to carry firearms for personal protection since I have my firearm permit but don't expect anyone who hires newbies to allow the same gratitude. Also the conditions at truck stops are pretty deplorable. Drivers relieve themselves on the pavement and toss bags full of excrement in the parking lots... so you can imagine what most truck stop lots smell like. Other drivers are also very rude and quick to violence. I've had a lot of bad incidents involving Russian drivers who are quick to anger and violence. There also isn't enough parking to accommodate all the trucks in the United States as it stands right now. Trying to park after 6pm anywhere is a hassle.
Also a big thing to know is once someone has a commercial license any traffic infractions they get driving a personal vehicle are more expensive than a non commercial drivers ticket would be. They also effect your CDL standing a lot more. Companies will let drivers go in a heartbeat if they acquire anything on their licenses.
If you have any additional questions feel free to holler at me or PM me. I've been doing this a while and have friends who have done this career since the 70's. As much as I put it down there are some perks but depending on who you are the cons will easily outweigh them.
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Not just breaking into trucks, but sabotaging as well. I've heard stories of folks that will sabotage your truck simply because of the company that owns them, usually because they used to work for them and were terminated for one reason or another.
Also, try to find out if the company being applied for is a "zero tolerance" company. From what I've gathered, avoid like the plague. Could be sitting at a light, get rear ended, and they still terminate you.
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Stay away from those lot lizards that hang around Truck Stops mainly and Rest Areas.....besides possibly being robbed, there ain't no telling what you might catch from them and be stuck with for life, LOL
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That ain't a joke either, as much as they've been cracked down on you can still find lot lizards pretty easily. They are really bad out west and in Texas around the major cities.
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My niece's boyfriend wants to get his CDL. There's a class that costs $4400 and takes a month. Is that worth it? Is there much business for CDL drivers?
There is a lot of need for holders of a CDL.
The key is to look for a company that is willing to pick up the cost of training and employ the driver at the same time.
In many metro areas this is easy to find. There are a lot of companies willing to train. The challenge of driving trucks is getting with a company you like and has benefits that meets a driver and their family's needs.
But, to answer your original question, is it worth it to get a CDL? Most certainly it is.
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But, to answer your original question, is it worth it to get a CDL? Most certainly it is.
I don't regret it one bit, that's for sure. Thing is, I do have other skills at my disposal. If it's the only thing someone knows, I can see how that might come back and nip ya. Some folks simply burn out after all, and will want nothing to do with anything that involves a CDL.
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Make sure if he finds a company to train him he reads the fine print of the contract presented. A lot of companies offer free training but you have to work for them without any defiance for either a given time or mileage. Roehl screwed me over pretty bad with a contract even though I had paid for my own CDL training out of pocket. For very minimal flatbed training and honestly not the best work environment I left after 6 months and ended up having to pay them 10k in fee's for breaking the contract.
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There's a class that costs $4400 and takes a month. Is that worth it?
NO.