What is a good trucking company to start driving for?
Asked by ERIC F
I am 30yrs old and do NOT have my CDL. I am looking to train with a company and start driving. I would imagine that everyone has to start OTR, or so I have been told. I need a company that will train me and get me behind the wheel and on the road. I have heard that Schneider is the place to start. I live in central Arkansas, and do not mind OTR for a week or so at a time.

Best Answer:
Hi Eric, There are quite a few companies out there that will pay to train you as long as you are willing to sign a contract saying you will driver for them for an X amount of time. That X amount is usually anywhere from 6 months to a year depending on the company. I would like to suggest a place where you can get honest answers from real drivers who are out there everyday and have been in the same position as you at one time. A friend and I started up our own trucking group where we are dedicated to teaching new and wanna-be drivers the honest ins and outs of the trucking industry. We have tons of useful information in our File, Database, and Link sections. We are over 400 members strong with many "seasoned" drivers. By "seasoned" I mean drivers with twenty or more years under their belt. Our group is FREE to join and if for whatever reason you decide that its just not for you then you are always free to leave. I guarantee you will receive a lot more honest answers and options to your questions then here at Y!A. Why not come and check it out....what do you have to lose? If you decide to join us it will ask you for a fifty word comment as to why you want to join and all you have to do is put in there that Susan sent you and you will be approved with out a problem. I hope to see you there....Link below....
www.groups.yahoo.com/group/trailertruckintech 14yrs OTR and OOIDA member
Answered by susanmarq66

You will definetely be out longer than a week at a time at first expect 2-3. The decision is are you going to go to a training company to obtain your CDL or are you going to go to a truck driving school? If you go to a training company you are usually under contract to drive with them for at least a year. I would suggest a school in which you can be funded by the state to go and many company's offer tuition reimbursement. Plus there are many financing options available. Schneider is a good place to start as is Roehl. I would recommend the school and see if you can get local job with a small construction company or hauling garbge or hauling ag. There are options out there other than OTR it's just looking in the right places. Go over to Truck.net and ask on the newbie section of the roundtable.
Answered by Evan