One of the most common problems new grads encounter after graduating from a private CDL truck driver training school, is getting a truck driving job, without experience. In this video, Dave gives lots of suggestions to fix this issue, and get the driving experience you need to get a driving job.
New drivers find that carriers want their new hires to have 12 years experience driving, in order to be hired. (Reason is often the insurance companies dictate this policy)
Some schools have a job placement program.
Many do not.
If they do have a placement program, it may not be a company you want to work for.
It’s really disheartening to spend all that time and money on training, only to discover you can’t get a job as a drive.
NOW, there’s ONE distinct advantage of the CompanySponsored Training Schools. There’s a job waiting for you at the end of the training (if you survive the training!).
Here are SOME IDEAS to get that driving experience, that carriers are looking for:
A. GET A JOB THAT DOESN’T REQUIRE A CLASS A CDL
Often a first driving job can start with seat time in a 3 or 5 ton truck.
Everything from a delivery van to a construction dump truck can count.
Apply to delivery companies operating locally in your area.
There’s construction companies, with dump trucks
Rail and Hydro companies have trucks
Bus companies
Farming operations running their own trucks
Oil Rig outfits
Snow Plows or gravel trucks, with township or counties.
Straight trucks
Lumber yards with delivery trucks
Moving companies
Large trucking companies always need ‘shunt drivers’
Independent Owner Operators
Hot shot companies
Mail carriers, like UPS and FedEX
The list is endless if you really buckle down and look around
***A bright side to working at one of these driving jobs you may not expect, is they often have decent pay.
Who knows? Maybe after getting on board with one of these companies, you may decide to stick with them, if it all works out.
B. LOOK TO COMPANIES WHO HAVE LOWERED THE THRESHOLD
** Due to the socalled DRIVER SHORTAGE, more carriers are lowering the amount of driving experience needed in order to be hired.
— As of recent, we understand YELLOW is hiring licensed drivers with zero experience.
A few others are:
— MILLIS TRANSFER
— ROEHL
— PRIME
C. GET A JOB WITH A MEGA CARRIER.
AS MUCH AS IT PAINS ME TO SAY THIS, You could even apply to the mega carriers as a licensed driver, to get that experience. That way if it doesn’t work out, you owe them nothing and can leave without any obligation.
D. LOOK FOR COMPANIES WITH APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS
There are some companies who will take on licensed drivers and train them, to work at their company.
—Maverick Transportation is an example of a company who has this type of program.
— TMC also has an apprenticeship program for new grads with limited experience.
In Conclusion…..
Yes, it can be downright frustrating to be a newly trained truck driver, from a good quality school, ready to hit the road, but no wants to hire you.
It can be tough. You will need to knock on a lot of doors to get what you want. Be persistent. Keep at it until you find a company who is willing to take a chance on you.
Be willing to take what you are offered.
Apply to every company you can.
Don’t be discouraged.
Lack of driving experience can be a barrier to getting a truck driving job, but it’s a wall that can be torn down!
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PLEASE NOTE: THIS VIDEO CONTAINS PAID SPONSORSHIP ADVERTISING FOR GP TRANSCO."
Here's a link to check out their site and find out if they're a good fit for you. Definitely take the time to investigate this carrier. https://www.gptransco.com/drivegp
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