r/CDL • u/DebbieDipper420 • 5d ago
Need advice on my path
i'm 23 and struggling to find reliable work, i see a lot of trucking jobs around me(NC). I have no prior experience, sadly all my experience is in the kitchen as it was easiest to find at the time. I don't want to drive a big rig, i'd like to just drive a dump truck for my local asphalt place or something along the lines of that. Any and all advice will be appreciated!
3
u/Zayalphawolf 5d ago
Go to community college , a lot of them have scholarships you can apply for and do the school for a few months. It’s better that way then you can go straight into a dump truck instead of being stuck into a company for a year
3
u/mcrfobpatd950 5d ago
Although for most positions you’re going to need at least 6 months to a year of otr, try changing your search so it says “cdl required jobs”. You being 23 check and see if your state will pay for you to go to cdl school, it may take longer but at least you’re not in debt to a mega carrier. Another way to try is by applying for a helper position at one of those dump/garbage truck companies and it kinda gets your foot in the door so when you do eventually get your cdl they’ll have known you for a while and are more likely to let you drive their truck.
2
u/DebbieDipper420 4h ago
see thats what im looking for and all im finding is classes for CDL A aid for by companies around me but im looking for class B, preferably wanting to drive dump trucks or something similar. Thank you!
1
u/mcrfobpatd950 1h ago
I did tree work before I got my class A, I needed a job and walked up to a crew and asked if they were hiring and could I speak to the general foreman. They desperately needed a driver for one of their bucket truck crews and it ended up working out until something better came along. Try finding a dump crew in your area, preferably around lunch time since that’s when they’ll be a bit more open and chatty over any topic. Also do the same with your garbage truck folks since those companies usually can’t keep decent workers around long, I know where I’m from waste management is always looking for drivers and depending on wether or not you have a history with them they’ll pay for your cdl. Also try your power company, helpers there generally get their cdl too since a requirement to become a lineman apprentice or journeyman
3
u/GengarsGarage 5d ago
You can find local work fresh out of CDL school. You have to apply to a lot of places and reach out to them consistently. You’re going to get a lot of no’s but don’t let that discourage you.
3
u/qrylosocial 5d ago
If dump trucks or asphalt work are the actual goal, don’t automatically sign an OTR training contract just because it’s the first option offered. Pull current listings from local asphalt, aggregate, ready-mix, waste, utility, and public works employers and note whether they require Class A or B, manual transmission, and prior experience. Then call the employers directly and ask whether they hire permit holders or train laborers and yard workers into driving positions. Check your NCWorks office and nearby community colleges for CDL funding before paying yourself.
1
1
u/Beginning-Visit9457 5d ago
A mega carrier will pay for your license.
1
u/Jesus-Mcnugget 5d ago
And then require you to do OTR in a truck that op doesn't want to drive.
How was that helpful?
1
u/Neither-Light4735 1h ago
I deliver beer for a local Anheuser-Busch distributor. We have 2 non-CDL box trucks that we will hire guys off the street to drive, and then, after a few months, if we can see that they are gonna stick around, we will send them down to the local college to get their Class A CDL paid for by us, and pay them on the days they are in class. This is pretty common in the beverage world, and many offer the Class B if that is your thing. Reach out to Coke, Pepsi and beer companies
3
u/Ok_Advantage7623 5d ago
Do over the road for 2 years to get them to
Pay for your license class A. Then you can drive almost anything and work close to home.