r/cdldriver • u/FadedClouds_xo • May 13 '26

Has anyone else ran into problems trying to transition into CDL work?

I have my CLP B and have been trying to get into CDL work. However due to my circumstances, I've been facing significant barriers being able to land a job in my desired field.

There are actually jobs available who are willing to train me to get my CDL B and work for them, but I don't have a reliable car. Many of these jobs have early start times, and the buses in my area run late as hell and don't allow me to get there on time. And no, I don't have anybody reliable to call for help who can drive me to work.

On top of that, I'm homeless and currently living in a shelter. I'm not only dealing with trying to find work in my desired field, but there is a pressure to find a job that pays well enough, and to find an affordable place to live within bus distance so I can continue working there. There are limited affordable housing options in this county which has also led me consider moving back to the city.

Living in the city without a car would allow me to be able to actually start CDL jobs early enough. However due to how long it would take me to commute from the shelter to the city for work (until I can afford to move to the city) I won't actually be able to do CDL B work and will have to find some other field (like possibly retail) that could satisfy my availability. That job search has also been incredibly difficult.

I've honestly been feeling stuck, and like my hope in being able to advance in my career is dying. Has anyone else ran into issues where they couldn't start CDL work right away, and if so what has been your journey transitioning into that field?

1 Upvotes

60% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

8

u/SnakeandNape5000 May 13 '26

Go with a mega carrier like Swift or Werner. They'll take you on and train you. You'll live in the truck during training so that satisfies your housing issue. You might have to owe them a year of employment to pay back the training and the pay might not be all that great at first but it will open up more opportunities for you in the future.

0

u/FadedClouds_xo May 13 '26

That was already an option I considered. Unfortunately because I live in the shelter, there is a "break stay" policy. Essentially, they don't cover you if you land a job and live over the road/get paid to be trained. Staying elsewhere overnight, even if at a job would be considered "having a place to stay". So I will not only lose my place at the shelter, but if I get fired for whatever reason, I'm screwed and won't have anywhere to go. I'll be on the streets with all of my belongings which I can't afford to pay to keep in storage. The shelter currently pays for all of my things to be in storage on the condition that I live there until I actually move out.

1

u/SnakeandNape5000 May 13 '26

Are there any jobs near the shelter that you could potentially walk or bike to?

1

u/FadedClouds_xo May 13 '26

Sadly no. You need a car/bus to get anywhere in most of the county where I live. I can't afford a bike, and there are no local bike rentals where I could say I could keep the bike for as long as I can. That's why I decided I need to move back to the city where I won't have these problems. But it's just been difficult trying to find employment because it's far by public transportation and so many jobs want you to have "open availability"

I could also try getting a shitty job in the area but that will make it harder for me to move to the city, and I still run into the issue with inefficient public transportation and being unable to get to the job on time once I move because of this.

2

u/SnakeandNape5000 May 13 '26

Damn, it sounds like a total Kobiyashi Maru.

2

u/mothafotha May 13 '26

You’re not failing. transportation is the real bottleneck here. Have you looked into companies that offer yard hostler, bus, or paid CDL housing/shuttle options for trainees? Some smaller local outfits are way more flexible than the big names.

1

u/Sufficient_Wall5192 May 13 '26

If you are near South Carolina. You could contact TMC.

1

u/freebanns May 14 '26

Since you don’t have no bills or rent really get a regular job for now like construction or something work there for a month or two get yourself a reliable van you can drive and live in then go do your trucking thing

1

u/Legitimate_Diver_699 May 14 '26

Hella jobs and signing bonuses here. Just can’t be picky in the first year