Question:
Hey Truckers,
Im sure this is a classic question, but I'd like your advice.
Any suggestions on the best method to get your CDL without spending a fortune? I have seen many ads such as CREngland offering training and a job, but I'm not exactly looking for that. I want to study for it on my own, and if I can borrow a friends truck for the practice, then I can save a fortune. Where should I begin?

Answer:
You should begin by stopping worrying about spending $, and go to a reputable school. CDL mills are a dime a dozen, but they will teach you nothing - other than how to pass the test.
As for "borrowing your friends truck", who will be the instructor in the passenger seat? Your friend? Is he a certified instructor?
Do it the right way.

Answer:
You will not be able to get a job unless you've attended a reputable school. Nowadays insurance companies have the final say in who gets hired and they have no way of assessing you if you "taught yourself"
If you want to save money, a lot of the big trucking companies will put you through school then you have to work for them for a certain period of time to pay them back.
Driving schools also have job placement help available, it's very, very difficult for a new driver to find work. It's the old "you can't get hired without experience, and you can't get experience without getting hired"

Answer:
You won't find a better value for the money than Central Tech in Drumright, Oklahoma. Although it is in Oklahoma, they get many students from out of state. I had people in my class years ago that were from California, Nevada, Missouri, Arkansas.
It is inexpensive training done by pros who will teach you right. They have a virtual small city of roads on their training site that will put you in many situations. You will also drive in town as well as on the highway and larger cities.
Take a look. They have inexpensive housing availiable for your month stay.
http://www.tdt-ok.com

Answer:

Are you kidding??? Most major OTR companies are hiring students right now. I am in trucking school right now, and we have already had 3 recruiters come by the school in less than 2 weeks. I also have been pre-hired by 2 other companies. What makes you say it's difficult for a new driver to find work? Unless you have a bad driving record, DUI or felony conviction, it should be quite easy if you are willing to go OTR.

Answer:
Hmm, you obviously weren't paying any attention, it was stated previously that with out any schooling EXPERIENCE that no companies insurance would touch him. This fella was talking about studying the book and getting the license on his own, and using a friends truck to take the test, then thinking he could find a job with out a school reference or other previous job experience. It was also stated about the companies that will even put you through school and then put you on a contract to work for them untill you have paid off your schooling tuition. Yes you've had recruiters talk to you and have been prehired, BUT you're going through school, he had no plan to do it that way, so it makes for a totally different situation.
Answer:
suedoh where are you located? City? State? That may help as well. If you live in CA I know a way you can pay for it for free without being obligated to a company, just PM me if you do.
Answer:
suedoh;
I would suggest if you do not wish to pay out of pocket or get a loan for tuition, then you might look at USA Trucking first, then Pam Transport. Both companies have tuition reimbursement programs set up for new students who wish to get their CDL. You will have to sign a contract agreement with them, that you wil work for them at least a year, but you will have to stay with a carrier that long anyway, so that you do not screw up your DAC.
The advice previously posted on here is correct, you will have to attened a school if you want to work for most carriers, due to insurance industry requirements. If you are going to be driving for yourself or a mom and pop company, you might get buy with it, but the insurance coverage will be through the roof, if industry will even write you a policy.
Good luck and Catch you on the flip!

Answer:
Check with your unemployment agency or your Work First agency. There is a federally funded program called WIA, work force investment act, they may pay for all or most of your schooling. They are paying for 2/3 rds of mine.
Good luck.
Answer:
You need a decent education. There's a lot more to learn than just driving the truck.
The best are usually community colleges. The worst are usually the 14 day quickie CDL mills. Most folks chose something in the middle -- a 4-6 week program at a certified "truck school" for around $4,000. Check with companys you might want to work for first, to make sure they recognize that truck school and actually hire from them.
The companys that offer in-house truck school as part of your training look like a good alternative -- you don't have to pay up front. But you will sign a contract that "borrows" the money from your future earnings. It will be deducted from your paycheck until it's paid off. If you leave that company before you've repaid them, they'll go after you for the remaining balance. This is why folks suggest not attending Swift's or Schneider's in-house truck school for free. It's really not free, and you're stuck there for a couple years until you've paid them back.
I'd make a decent education your top priotity. Go with the longer, and possibly more expensive programs offered by community colleges and larger vocational "instututes" that aren't all about rushing you through.
When you think it through -- the extra money and time up front are relatively minor investment over a career that may last many years. If you're serious about doing this work correctly and making a career of it, get off on the right foot -- not the easiest or cheapest shortcut.

Answer:
yOU should try IOWA CENTRAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE($5400,pellgrant,stafford loans,housing included),southeast community college($655,find your own housing),THATS IT!!!

Answer:
I went to Caldwell Community College Tech. Institute in Hudson, North Carolina. 384 hrs. Most instructors were 30 yr vets. Remember one Sunday I wanted to learn to do a 90 back- Teddy said- you wanna learn ?- he showed me and I did about 20 in a row. Total cost: $577.00, paid out of pocket-reembursed by werner within 6 months.

Answer:
Why don't you consider going on a "harvest run" through the mid-west States?
All of the large "custom cutters" will put you through your CDL and you will get paid for the 6/8 months of the harvest.
Myself and my wife came over in 2002 with 14 other guy's from Northern Ireland and went with a very large cutter from ND, I was amazed to get a fully legal class A CDL with tanks/doubles/triples/hazmat after some 30 minutes at a computer screen and 30 mins driving round Grand Forks all for about $150!!!!!!!
Some famers sons who came with us had never driven a truck before and had only experience with farm tractors/trailers and within a couple of days they where hauling combines/tractors/grain carts from ND to TX with no problems even though we where driving on the "wrong" side of the road!!!!
The hours can be long and hard but my best month was September when I earned $4000!!!
As far as I'm aware there are plenty of truck driving jobs going in the mid-west wheat belt where they don't care about the dreaded "OTR" experience!!!!
Look at:
www.hollandharvesting.com
www.johnsonharvesting.com
www.taylorharvesting.com
www.demarayharvesting.com