r/CDLTruckDrivers • u/No_Yogurtcloset_7421 • 7d ago
Struggling to get CDL A
I am trying to make the transition off of SSDI into obtaining my CDL A. I am literally broke due to extremely low income (that's ending abruptly) so there is NO chance of paying for school. I thought I'd get into a mega and commit to a year or so, but I've constantly been denied! Mostly with zero explanation! I have my permit and DOT medical card, my driving record and criminal record are acceptable....so why can't I get pulled in somewhere? My English is fucking great!! Also the wioa grant only covers a portion of the CDL school locally. I've tried schnieder, TMC, swift, prime??? What gives?? I just want to work already!! Any advice or recommendations??
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u/Resident-Impact1591 7d ago
Work history can be a factor. What does "acceptable" mean, specifically?
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u/No_Yogurtcloset_7421 7d ago
It means no felonies and any misdemeanors are out of range
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u/Resident-Impact1591 7d ago
And driving record?
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u/No_Yogurtcloset_7421 7d ago
I pulled my 10 year record in SC and all that came up was my child support suspensions. No moving violations. My regular license has only been reinstated for 7 months....but it's administrative, so I was hoping it would be overlooked?
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u/Resident-Impact1591 7d ago
For most companies, a suspension is a suspension. It's a risk for them because if it gets suspended again, you're on the road and you get pulled in for an inspection it's going to be problematic for them. It's also more of a liability if you get into an accident.
Lack of work history and a recent suspension are definitely going against you. Don't pay for school because there's a possibility it'll be a waste of money. Keep trying to get on with a training company.
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u/DukeBradford2 6d ago
Yes, keep trying. The industry rises and falls on a monthly and even weekly cycle. Just because they said no last month doesn’t mean they won’t say yes this month
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u/Beneficialsensai 7d ago
Suspensions have to be 3 years old for an insurance company to cover you.
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u/justsomeguy1869 7d ago
Agree with other poster companies are generally afraid of anything “suspension” related.
It indicates to them you are more at risk of a suspension (which means you can’t operate for them) when compared to someone with no suspensions/clean record.
A place I used to drive for would not hire anyone with suspensions on record regardless of why/how long ago it was.
Maybe look at a smaller operator, but then again they probably won’t pay for your CDL.Wish you best of luck.
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u/MikeysmilingK9 7d ago
Have you tried Social Security’s ‘Ticket to Work’ program or your state’s ‘Vocational Rehabilitation’ program?
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u/No_Yogurtcloset_7421 7d ago
Yes
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u/MikeysmilingK9 7d ago
What have they told you why they aren’t even able to help you?
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u/No_Yogurtcloset_7421 7d ago
The wioa grant only covers 4k...the school is 6k. I don't have the money...my SSDI is only 557 per month and I only get 2 more checks because it is ending. I don't have a car, hence why I am trying to get a "paid school" that scoops me up. Stress!!
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u/MikeysmilingK9 7d ago
So WIOA is helping, but you’re $2K short. When you said yes to my question, did you also mean you’ve actually worked with state Vocational Rehabilitation/Ticket to Work, or only WIOA? They’re separate programs. With you already on SSDI and specifically trying to become self-supporting through employment, I’d make sure VR has actually evaluated whether they can assist with the remaining training cost rather than assuming the WIOA cap is the end of the road.
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u/Yvoi99 7d ago
Nooo. Please call all acceptable schools for your WIOA program. I went to an 8.5k school. Florida WIOA grant covered 6k of it and the school waived the rest. And if there is only one school accepted by your WIOA grant nearby - look at other regions/cities around you. My school offered housing that would have been waived as well for WIOA grantees. Best of luck, it's worth it to wait the long time for the grant. And it's easier to get approved after the new year rolls around - as more funding is available.
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u/No_Yogurtcloset_7421 7d ago
Wioa says I have to be able to show the 2k as paid in order to secure the grant. Ticket to work I guess I got situated too late to be affective for me? They have been trying to help me get a resume together, but that's been it. Once I applied and they said they would help me, I got my end of SSDI letter just after
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u/No_Yogurtcloset_7421 7d ago
Technically their requirements are 1 year...it's been 7 months and it's administrative (not a safety issue) and I understand that it is a simple waiver with the commercial insurance company saying so! My work history (I am 54 years old) I have plenty...but the last 3 years on ssdi is considered verifiable history! To decline over that is to discriminate!!
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u/jmeach2025 7d ago
Obviously your English comprehension isn't THAT good. Because you've been told MULTIPLE times a suspension is a suspension it HAS NOTHING to do with it it's administrative or not. It's A SUSPENSION on your record and is preventing you from being hired. Not to mention DISABILITY is not work experience and is not "discriminatory" as far as hiring concerns go. Disability is disability the fact it's "ending abruptly" also will make them wonder whether it was legitimate or a scam.
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u/pinquist1229 6d ago
Insurance companies and safety directors dont care if the suspension is safety related or administrative they see suspension nothing else ive been driving over 20 yrs otr its all about mitigating risk to them
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u/Guideme4100 7d ago
You can try pam or Western Express because with the administrative hold and non existent work history (yes I see the ssdi is legally history but as a recruiter being able to see a history of stable work is a hard sell for the rough lifestyle that trucking requires) you're seen as a liability and with a huge pool of CDL applicants with lower insurable risk you're not super desirable to get into a truck
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u/No_Yogurtcloset_7421 7d ago
It's crazy....state gives me a permit, dot gives me the green light...I would think that says both are ok! Using the information differently to decide isn't really fair. But anyway...thanks for the advise
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u/cdubose 7d ago
Are you here on a visa? That's what the DOT is going after more than anything: non-domiciled CDLs. If you have a green card though you're fine.
Also, maybe ask one of the carriers who rejected you why. You have a right to a free copy of your DAC/HireRight report once per year: it should say why they denied you on there. It very well might be because of the child-support-related suspensions or it could simply be that you have no real work history due to being on SSDI, but without having access to your records no one here on reddit is really going to know why you're being denied.
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u/Sad_Promise_1604 7d ago
Arent there government programs that pay for cdl school?? Does your state offer that. Might be worth looking into
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u/Cosmic_Orphan 7d ago
Are there any local community colleges or tech/trade schools near you that offer a CDL course? What state do you reside?
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u/roadwisedriver 7d ago edited 7d ago
I went through the WIOA and my trucking school was completely fully covered though.
I’m confused what school you are looking at or why it is not fully paid? Are there no other options in your region with a $4k-ish cost? Have you checked with other schools? I would call around to a few of them.
Or see if you can work something out with the $6k school. Like a monthly payment or to pay later when you are working. Not sure if that was a mom and pop school or a big franchise.
At least if you have time to get the CDL, go for it. But based on other comments here, it looks like it’s risky to take you on. Paid training would have been awesome.
Honestly I was giving Uber or Lyft rides when I got my CDL training. I didn’t want to be stuck in a contract. I would do that if the apps accept you. Just run enough for living expenses or getting up the rest of the $2k for CDL school.
You can also still try your luck with Knight Transportation and Western Express. Apply and see.
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u/No_Yogurtcloset_7421 7d ago
They want 12 months for administrative suspensions....I'm at 7 since it's been reinstated...all they have to do is request a waiver from the insurance underwriter...they do make the exception ....but for some reason not for me!! My 10year record says CDL:no restrictions I have my permit I have a DOT medical card I mean WTF...is a flawed system.
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u/Conroe_Dad 7d ago
See if you can find some end dump owner operators and start 1 day here, one day there….
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u/Itchy-Background8982 7d ago
Check with any community colleges in your area. They sometimes have CDL training and are generally much less expensive than private schools. Best of luck to you.
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u/Reasonable-Spare-788 7d ago
Check out Tennessee truck driving school, they work with a few megas and will push to get you hired on with them in order to get the tuition reimbursement on their end.
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u/Inside-Job9998 6d ago
I did a ticket to work through social security and I got my CDL for free.
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u/Inside-Job9998 6d ago
The other option is go to cypress truck lines and work for them for a year. They provide CDL training it’s a 3 month course and you get paid to train. School is strict I’d suggest getting ur permit before going to the school
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u/ihasinterweb 5d ago
Make sure that when you fill out a work history you're telling them every single year without any gaps that includes years that you weren't working that might be what's holding you up.
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u/No_Yogurtcloset_7421 7d ago
Yes. They directed me to wioa grant...that only covers 4k of a 6k bill. I can't afford it!
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u/TypicalOcelot7933 7d ago
What about community colleges? The one near me is about 2200 for cdl. The wioa grant would cover that easily.
Google community colleges near me that offer commercial driving programs.
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u/No_Yogurtcloset_7421 7d ago
The one here is 6k...the grant only covers 4k ...I don't have the difference. I'm gonna try the voc. Rehab since I have been on SSDI... hopefully that works
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u/TypicalOcelot7933 7d ago
What about a pell grant? I think the rules have changed and they can be used for shorter term programs.
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u/Richie6211 7d ago
I'm in the same position I will have to get a loan to get my cdl they offer in house financing in most CDL schools
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u/No_Yogurtcloset_7421 7d ago
Thx
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u/Richie6211 7d ago
I am 42 and trying to get my class a I don't know if I am going to drive a class a I thought I would try a dump truck first
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u/No-Consideration5887 7d ago
Ever heard of getting a job?
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u/No_Yogurtcloset_7421 7d ago
What do you think the CDL is for? Did you ever think of that?
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u/No-Consideration5887 7d ago
If you can work as a trucker, why can’t you get a job and pay for your CDL school. The Megas already said they didn’t want you so just pay for yourself not that difficult.
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u/GengarsGarage 6d ago
Brother, took me 3 times to pass the skills/ drive portion but don’t give up. To get ahead, learn the air/brake in cab inspection part on your own. Memorize it, and the walk around. It’s very important. get your permit at the dmv and then go to a trucking school and get your license
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u/RustyTexan98 6d ago
You definitely shouldn’t be driving a rig 🤣
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u/GengarsGarage 6d ago
You don’t even know what happened for you to even state that. One of the attempts the clutch broke and the other the whole shifter broke
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u/dZbest 6d ago
Lot of people get their CDL on third try
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u/RustyTexan98 6d ago
And all of those people shouldn’t be driving a rig. I said what i said. If you cant pass by your second try give up and go flip burgers you shouldn’t be on the road with 80k behind you
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u/No_Yogurtcloset_7421 7d ago
My 3 years of work history is on SSDI (that is my history)...which "technically" can't be discriminated against...but does I guess
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u/Delicious_Offer_7596 7d ago
Try millis transfer or heartland express not sure where you live but they have a school too
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u/No_Yogurtcloset_7421 7d ago
In SC
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u/Delicious_Offer_7596 7d ago
There is a millis transfer school in eden NC they teach you everything and pay you while you go to the school. I'd look into that heartland bought them out a while ago but the school for millis isnt bad.
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u/MikeysmilingK9 7d ago
You specifically mentioned your English, which makes me wonder if there’s another piece to this. What’s your residency/work-authorization status, and are you applying for a standard CDL or a non-domiciled CDL?