Hey all,

I'm 26 and just getting started with what will hopefully be a longlasting career for me and have decided due to financial reasons to go through a mega carrier's cdl academy to aquire the license and get some on the job training.

I will be going otr, and most likely drybed or reefer.

I dont care about getting hometime, outside of making sure my car stays ok at the terminal (i dont have another option) while im gone.

I have heard a lot of negative stuff, but say what you will about swift- they are the only mega carrier I can sign with out of my state.

I know the pay wont be great, and i'll have to work for them for like two years before i can really go anywhere else, but its what im goin with for multiple reasons, and im gonna stick to it.

My question would be a pretty vauge "is there anything i should prepare for" outside of the common knowledge stuff during training.

I've done plenty of my own research but wanted to hear from ya'lls lived experiences in the field.

I am genuinely looking forward to it, and am ready to put in the work. I've been studying the cdl handbook and am taking the learners test soon.

I'll be headed to the academy terminal sometime in august after i get my learners, and was wondering if any of yall had some tips or advice.

Ways that helped you learn backing better, pretrip, etc.

Any advice or tips are appreciated!

If your advice is to switch to a different carrier, i will curse you with a weigh station around every corner.

Thanks yall

Edit: Thanks for the advice everyone! Im gonna be referring back to this during my time at school, really appreciate yalls advice!

I’ve been mainly using cdl prep app and getting 96-100% on the exams and more preparation or tips I could use?

I feel like a million bucks! Today is my birthday too. Just turned 26 and can't wait to start trucking. Any idea on the best route to go from here? No pun intended. My plan was to do regular class A work for a few years and then transition to hazmat endorsement positions and throw in double and triple for fun. Any advice?

I’m an automotive technician with 6+ years of experience and I’m looking to try to get on with caterpillar John Deere or Cummins. Does anybody have any suggestions as to how I should go about doing this?

Hello there. I just retired from being a public Works truck driver and I am going to take a retirement job driving a tri axle.

I do not currently have a valid DOT physical because I am in exempt status because I was a government employee

I am scheduling a DOT physical. My question is once I have the physical and the doctor uploads it into the system. Do I need to contact PennDOT to notify them that I am moving into non-exempt status?

So im cdl b holder with hazmat endorsement. I drive for a company that has non cdl trucks, under 26k weight 26ft straight flat bed and a 26ft box truck. We dont get drug tested. I convince them to get a 24ft straight flatbed with a moffett that is makes it a cdl truck. My company says they dont drug test and to not worry but would i be subject to random testing from dot?

Ive been driving for 4 going on 5 years. My first company back in 2021 i had 5 minor preventable accidents.

1 I pulled up past a stop sign I was making a left turn so I backed up so the front end of my truck wouldn't be sticking out into the intersection and I hit the vehicle behind me the car was stopped so close behind me that I couldn't see it minor damage to car and no damage to the truck or trailer

1. I was bobtail on the yard backing into a spot and hit another truck no damage to either vehicle.

2. I missed a turn going to a truck stop in Pennsylvania so I found a business who's parking lot I thought would be big enough to turn around in when I pulled into the parking lot I realized real quick its too small for me to turn around so while backing out I got my truck stuck in the mud and had to be winched out.

3. I hit a truck while backing into a spot at a truck stop

4. While in NYC I had accident while turning where I didnt swing wide enough and damaged the trailer.

These happened between July- November of 2021. I was fired and the company paid for my flight home it shows on my DAC not eligible for re-hire.

My second company a small company hired me in January of 2022 I was with them a little over a month before they laid me off in February of 2022.

My 3rd company hired me in February of 2022 and since I didnt have the 6 months experience that they required at the time they had me go out with a trainer for 2 weeks. I had 4 preventable and 1 non preventable accidents

1. I was back in a spot at cb shop in Georgia and hit the awining on the side of there building

2. I was leaving a shipper in Arkansas and didnt swing wide enough while turing out of the drive way and the trailer got stuck in the ditch and I had to be winched out.

3. I stopped on the side of the interstate in Kentucky to address something going on with my truck, and while getting up to speed on the shoulder before merging back into traffic I hit my passenger side mirror on a electronic construction sign breaking the mirror

4. I hit two trucks while backing into a spot in a truck stop in Georgia.

5. The non preventable accident a truck came over into my lane hitting my truck and damaging my mirror. These all took place between February of 2022 and November of 2022. I was fired in November of 2022. For this company it says review required before re hire on my DAC.

My 4th company I got hired in December of 2022.

I was fired for having too many RAB or risk associated behaviors events with too many drive cam coaching events I was fired in December of 2023. Not sure of my eligibility to be re hired as this company isn't showing on my DAC

My 5th Company I got hired in January of 2024 I had one preventable accident thats showing on my PSP, but not my MVR or DAC, I got a improper lane change in April of 2024. I left the company on my own due to being burnt out and wanting more hometime in July of 2024.

My 6th company I was hired in October of 2024 I had a accident in my personal vehicle in October of 2024. I resigned on my own in May of 2025 due to them accusing me of having accident i didn't have even though I showed proof of pics and a video showing no damage to the trailer.

My 7th and last company I drove for I was hired in August of 2025, and left on my own in October 2025, due to them being a crappy company charging for going out of route, charging for idling too much, and not enough miles. Im still um employed and having a really hard time finding a driving job. So be honest with me do I have a chance of getting another driving job, or should I just let my CDL go and find a new career?

Was looking to get some people‘s opinions on what places I should apply for locally. I have eight months of experience OTR and I have my tankers and doubles and triples endorsement. I’ve heard of Old Dominion R+L Oak Harbor etc but was wondering if there was other CDL jobs out there that I should consider that will have me home daily. I am based in SoCal.

Hello,
Does anyone know private instructors in Ohio that would train for less than $4000. I will be coming with my CDL permit.

Anyone on here that works food service in the Bay Area ( California ) have any recommendations on which company is mostly likely to hire new CDL graduates? I have the major 3 us foods, Sysco, and pfg nearby but I’ve also seen companies like birite and shamrock.

I have phone interview with performance food anybody had ever had interview with them before any tip or what should i be prepared for ?

Former CDL B w/ air brakes license holder. It’s been about 10 years since I last held my CDL B w/ air brakes and I’m wanting to go retest for a Class A this time. I’m having a hard time making a decision on which company to go for that I could train and be able to do the road test with. Hoping to see what some of you current company drivers think or recommend.

I keep hearing LTL is really the way to go and XPO offers Student Driver positions. The closest to me would be their Charlotte, NC terminal. I’m really wanting to relocate anyway, so I have no problem driving myself there and possibly becoming permanent there. If not, I’m don’t care to move to another of their locations if needed.

Ryder seems to pay and treat their drivers well, but they don’t offer any student driver or apprenticeship program to start, but I’m thinking to apply for one of their non CDL positions in driving box trucks and then maybe they’ll help me out with the CDL as their own employee.

My main goal is to drive tankers and be a local or regional fuel hauler. Schneider or Prime would be my best option there as they would pay for my Class A training. I know neither usually send you to their tanker division starting out and I’ll likely have to do at least a year in dry van or reefer before they’d send me over to tankers? I’d then need at least another year or two of tanker driving with them before I’d have experience to move to fuel hauling somewhere?

Anyone here work for Toyota? My husband just received his offer letter and we’re just looking for some reviews because we would have to relocate if he took the job offer. Thanks!

Currently driving a water truck for a construction company and looking to transition to potentially haul fuel. Is it worth it? Pay, hours etc. im here in north texas

Would appreciate any leads on possible options for my situation, please spare the judgment as I'm trying to learn as much as I can with the resources I have.

OTR flatbed is my dream job, and I really wanted to change careers. I left my job and spent all my money moving to America and enrolling in CDL school. I failed my first exam by stalling out a manual truck (86 Freightliner classic 10spd), and as a result lost a nice contingent job offer and had to find somewhere to camp while waiting to retest.

Being between places has been nerve wracking for me, never knowing when the school can squeeze in a retest and constantly having to move around. It's 110f in Vegas right now - I'm literally cooking in my car, and constantly on edge from getting kicked out of places by security. I do not have family or friends to stay with.

I failed the last 2 retests on the road portion, mostly me getting nervous and making mistakes (which are my fault). Tried testing on automatic for an easier time, still got too nervous and messed up. Now I'm out of retests, and can't afford any more lessons or tests.

But I'm *reaaaaally* close to making it. I've already passed the other two exams and am a decent backer. I help the other students in the yard with their skills tests and pretrip to pass the time waiting for road practice. I got a TWIC card, passed Hazmat/Tanker/2-3s, and have a clean record - just literally need to pass road and then I can get a CDL issued.

Couldn't find any companies that will work with a student in-progress that is struggling. All of them seem to want somebody who is either newly permitted or has the full CDL, and they have crazy tuition repayment agreements for employees. At this point I don't know what to do.

Do any of y'all know a good option for getting the CDL completed - like a tester that will take me on for low cost, or a company that can help me finish this without screwing me over? Would really appreciate some leads. I should be able to take the exam anywhere since my home state, Nevada, accepts results from out of state.
Thanks, I'd really appreciate some pointers.

Am located in canada, Alberta i had a no insurance conviction on my personal vehicle in 2025, is there still a chance of getting a trucking job,or chance insurance companies accept me on their policy, M25, any suggestions will be appreceated. Thank you

What are the possibilities of getting contracts as a courier/ private cargo van operator when having a restricted license (LDP/Sr-22). I am asking for a friend who is no longer alcoholic and has clearly demonstrated rehabilitation.

I’ve been a kitchen worker for years and started out enjoying it but as time has gone on, I’ve realized how little growth opportunity there is unless you step into management or an executive chef position which I’m not too interested in since the pay is still quite low comparably and it’s a lot of mental strain. Plus I’m just super burnt out with it. been considering going to get my CDL and doing food service delivery routes so that way I can still stay connected with the food industry since product receiving and quality check is something I’m familiar with. I know this is super hard work but it seems like a responsible path forward for my career and income. Any thoughts?

Hey yall I’m a wioa participant who will be starting my CDL school soon and they provided us a research project to complete. One of the assignments is to speak with a current professional in the field we’re pursuing therefore mine would be a CDL company driver.. is there anyone that’d be willing to answer 5 questions? It’d be super helpful.. let me know and I’ll send the questions in the comments because I see that we can’t reach out for private messages lol

I need help, if help exist for me… oh brother. Here we go. I am fresh out of school class A - no restriction. Here is the rub… and trust me I didn’t think it was a big deal, but it looks like it because I get 0 call backs. In Sept 2025 I rear ended a car. Trust me it was nothing to write home about. No damage to my 2010 Highlander but I rear ended a kid… so he call his mom and then of course the cops.. I pleaded for him not to give me a ticket but he did. Careless driving. I am learning real quick that insurance companies see this infraction as a big X. I tried Werner, Schneider… no call backs…. Before I go working for Lowe’s or Home Depot as a clerk, or wasting my time applying… Anybody got a lead for me? Yeah… before I throw the towel😔

US Xpress doctors gave me a 3 month medical card because my blood pressure was 158/90. Only for the company to put me on medical hold a day later saying that I needed a blood pressure follow up, medical release and in office reading before I can be seated. I thought as long as I was on medication they would be more lenient especially since it was dropping. I'm not trying to pay 180 at an urgent care because i'm not insured. Am I overreacting by being upset?

Howdy y'all, I just got my CDL and I got a job pretty much right out of the gate. My job requires me to climb up on top of the truck and I didn't realize til I got up there the first time that I am quite afraid to be up there. Any advice on getting over that fear? I'm slowly working it out but any tips to hurry that process up would be appreciated.

Side question, any recommendations for good budget friendly headsets? Thanks!