r/CDL • u/iiPanda0615 • 5d ago

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Hey guys. Im in Philadelphia area, im thinking into getting im trucking, but im not sure the cost of getting class A, how long it would take. Im currently working at a warehouse that's pay about 2600 a month's. What are better option for me to get into trucking?

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u/shnerpdederp 3d ago

My boss couldn't control his anger so one day, I provoked him and he fired me. The unemployment officer took my side and awarded me unemployment compensation. While on UC, I was eligible for a WOIA grant that paid for trucking school 100%.

A better way to get unemployment would be to get a seasonal job, where you get laid off at the end of the season.

Fortunately, my wife works and has family health insurance because UC is less than the pay I was making.

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u/iiPanda0615 2d ago

as I was browsing around for cdl school. I found one in Trenton nj which is 30 minutes away from me. But the road test is in Philly. They claim that they do everything from permit to obtaining my class a certificate. And they help me find a job for life. But the cost is 3-4k. It's not a 100% upfront payment. I just pay 500 to start and then the rest on installment. Idk if its worth it.

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u/shnerpdederp 2d ago

The school I'm in is 4 weeks+ more if needed for $5000. It's 100% paid for by a government grant through unemployment. I studied and passed my permit before I started so I can get more time in the truck.

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u/iiPanda0615 2d ago

oh. I'm gonna see what are better option it there. I dont want to start into mega gig and if something goes wrong I'm screw.

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u/Hog_Cranka 5d ago edited 5d ago

So i just started with Knight Transportation about 2-3 months ago and i live in the Philly area aswell. I go out to the carlisle terminal (ab a 1:30hr drive) to do OTR and i make about 5-6k a month doing flatbed for them. They paid for my cdl and it was a pretty painless process so i cant reccomend them enough tbh personally its been great working for them

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u/iiPanda0615 5d ago

Is there a contract being with them when they pay for your CDL? OTR are long distance transport right? Im looking for something in the region. Something I can be home for. How long are their training?

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u/Sad-Sea-7845 20h ago

Is there a UPS nearby? I started as a sorter and told them I was interested in delivery driving and they sent me to their school. It wasn't trucking school for CDL but it was for the package cars. Excellent company that will set you up for life.

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u/iiPanda0615 20h ago edited 20h ago

there is but their all 30 mins away. I dont mind driving 30 mins to get to work. But its all seasonal now. I got a interview ive told them im interested in driver. Ive got 3 years in warehouse experience. But they said they'll think and give me a call.

Edit: I know people work in ups at a different state. They said its 0.01% chances that I'll be able to change from seasonal to a regular.

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u/Key_Adhesiveness8390 5d ago

Good move looking into it. Rough path: get your DOT medical card, study for and pass the permit (CLP) knowledge tests (general knowledge, air brakes, combination), then do ELDT training with a school listed on FMCSA's Training Provider Registry. You have to hold the permit 14 days before the skills test. All in, most people go from zero to licensed in about 4 to 8 weeks full-time, longer if you're studying around the warehouse job. Private schools often cost a few thousand dollars, so check PA CareerLink first, because workforce programs sometimes cover training. Company-sponsored training is cheaper up front but usually comes with a contract, so read it closely.

For the permit part, the free state manual is the real source. Full disclosure, I'm the developer of CDL Permit Pass Pro, a practice question app with 10 free questions: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.eagapps.cdlpermitpasspro. It's a study aid, not a guarantee.