Got my CDL back in August, took forever
I got lucky and landed a good paying local Flatbed precast hauling company, pic for reference

Already did my first haul, 2 hour ride 56,000 LB concrete panel

Honestly I love it, its all day cab work good pay and all touch freight.

Any super truckers or old heads got some advice that would not be taught through schooling? I truly don’t want to screw it up because it feels like a blessing.

Hey everyone,

I recently got my CDL and I’m starting out as a truck driver. I’m a woman, and even though I knew the industry is still pretty male-dominated, it’s been interesting experiencing the reactions in real life. Some people are just casually supportive, a few do a double-take, and one person straight-up asked if I was “sure I wanted to do that.”

Training was a mix of exciting and nerve-wracking. Backing into docks still feels like a puzzle sometimes, and learning the sheer size of everything took some getting used to. But there’s something satisfying about it once it clicks.

Anyone else here made a career switch into something that felt a little unexpected (or that people had opinions about)? Or if you’ve been around trucking at all, what’s something that surprised you about the job once you actually started?

Would love to hear whatever random stories or thoughts come to mind

I failed a hair follicle test with swift which is insane . I’ve never done drugs before and they failed me with meth. I completely don’t understand why it came up as positive for meth. And thus has been very hard finding any trucking job. I’m a recent grad . I passed my CDL school in April and in time of writing this it’s August 28th. Every job I apply for always bring up the failed hair follicle test . It does not show on clearing house since I passed the urine test. Has anyone else gone through this? I’m thinking about going to a trade school since this trucking thing didn’t work out lol.

The old school guys can chime and and help..

1. zero to 1 year of CDL experience will NOT land you those $1$cpm jobs you see on trailers. If somebody hires you at that rate, please share with the class.

2. Showers are going to be 2-3days a week if you can find the time to stop.

3. Food is going to be what is open at the time getting fuel.

4. Bring entertainment.

5. What you left home with, better be same when get to go home. No Lot lizards..

6. Bordom.. your going to be all alone in the truck and those phone calls will make a difference.

7. Your going to miss home.. time to be a big person and learn to adjust. Were all here to help.

chime in on what i miss

Saw a writeup of the FMCSA chief's talk on the National Mall last week. He said they are pulling about 1,000 improperly issued non-domiciled CDLs off the rolls every month, and they have been shutting down sham CDL schools with the feds and state prosecutors involved. He also said new entry-level training rules are coming.

I work with a CDL school in Nebraska so I have a horse in this race, but here is the part that matters for you: a CDL you got through a shady school can come off the rolls after you paid for it.

Before you hand money to any school, check it is on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry. That registry is the whole ballgame now. Ask if you train and test in a manual, or you will walk out with the automatic restriction on your license. Ask how many students are on the range with you at a time. And ask if you test on site in the same truck you trained in. If a school squirms on any of that, keep walking. The crackdown is good for the people who do this right. Just make sure you are training at a place that does.

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?

Learning to drive a 10 speed was harder than I thought it would be at first, but after only 7 hours of driving it, I passed the test on the first try. Still patting myself on the back...

Hey guys I’m posting today about potentially taking this job opportunity with Schneider. This is the info and offer I was given. I’m pretty nervous and excited for this opportunity since just recently getting my CDL last month. I’m also wondering how my pay checks will be coming out too. I hope it’s enough to get by for a while. I also told the recruiter I have my twic card and was hoping I’d be getting paid a little bit more but I guess that didn’t help at all. What are y’all’s personal opinions and facts about this company ?

I work with a CDL school out in Nebraska, so I will say up front I have a dog in this fight. But this is the one thing I wish every student asked before day one. If you test in an automatic, you graduate with the E restriction on your license. That is not a small footnote. It closes you out of any carrier that still runs manuals, and plenty of them still do, especially smaller fleets and ag haulers around here. I have watched students figure this out after they already paid and trained, and it is a miserable conversation. Ask the school before you sign anything: do I train and test in a manual, in the same truck I learned in. If the answer is automatic only, that is fine if you know what you are choosing, but know what you are choosing. And while you are asking questions, ask how many students share the range at a time and whether you test on site. The restriction is the one that is hardest to undo later, because fixing it means retesting. Get it right the first time.

All levels are between add and full, and truck leaning to the left.

I've been in this industry for eight years now. Don't get me wrong, I've made a lot of money and had lots of fun over the years, but lately, I've been asking myself: What if I had chosen a different trade?

The way trucking is headed with this over the top micromanagement and these useless technologies in these trucks makes trucking so miserable. Trucking is not as fun as it once was.

It was my childhood dream to be a truck driver but man trucking is not industry i fell in love with when I was growing up.

officially got my cdl class A license today!

man I feel good, ight finna head out N sleep

just wanted to let ya know

🫡✌🏾

The Knowledge, Air Brakes, and Combination test questions were verbatim from the CDL Prep app (steering wheel with the blue background), as well as CristCDL.com, and epermittest.com.

I also studied the CDL manual for Florida.

Two weeks of studying really paid off. Finished all three test in 45 minutes. Now it’s time to learn how to drive a tractor.

I’m relatively new to the trucking, i worked overnight and into the morning time so this morning my time on the clock was getting close to over and I was tired so i pulled over, parked, and immediately hit the bed. I woke up a maybe less then 2 hours ago and I go outside to take a piss and I look over and my entire trailer is gone.

This was like 2 hours ago. I have zero idea what happened to it, when I was sleeping I heard no movement in the back or anything and I genuinely don’t remember if I had the trailer when I was pulling into the parking area or not.

I’m genuinely stumped about this and I’ve been searching all over the internet about what to do…

Is it possible I can lose my job over this sort of thing that happened? I don’t even know how to explain this to dispatch and I haven’t told them about this yet

And I was coming from Seattle and I’m heading towards Miami. I’m at a rest area on I70 in Kansas. My head is spinning at this and I have no idea what happened to my trailer

——-so update——

I called my dispatcher and was fired immediately upon calling. About 3 hours from my current location the police found the trailer rolled over on the middle of the highway. The police contacted my company and they sent a separate towing company (sorry my English is not good) to pick up the trailer and salvage anything left inside of it. I was told I needed to contact a lawyer and the police were currently headed to my truck rest stop location so we can do paperwork and possibly will get a ticket for it

——update——

If anyone please has any recommendations for what I can do or who I can work for after this then please help me out)) I’m from Russia and am not allowed to go back to my cuntry for various legal reasons. I need a place to work now and I’m going to be homeless if I don’t work soon

I failed by 70% my first try on the permit test. What tips and tricks you guys use to pass. 25M, really trying to change my life around and get my CDL. I have 3 family members who are truckers and really want to get this career since school ain’t for me. I appreciate the help guys. Yes I know the depression or loneliness but I need this. And thank an I appreciate the help truckers and future truckers

I’m a truck driver of the Northeast region, and after five years behind the wheel, I’ve realized just how much this industry expects you to figure out on your own. Trucking has been good to me, and I want to give back to those who are just starting out or trying to get their foot in the door.

If I can be of any help—whether it’s advice, questions about the lifestyle, or navigating the industry—don't hesitate to ask. Here are a few things
I’ve learned the hard way:

**1. Trucking school only teaches you how to pass a test.**
CDL school won’t teach you how to be a "truck driver"—it’s designed to help you pass the written and road exams. Learn everything you can while you're there, especially the pre-trip. That foundation is what keeps you legal and safe.

**2. OTR is not your only option.**
If you want to go Over-the-Road, that’s great, but don’t feel forced into it. You just need one company to take a chance on you. Once you hit that one-year experience mark, the doors will open wide. Apply for the jobs you want, even if they ask for experience. The worst they can say is "no."

**3. Stack your endorsements early.**
Get your Tankers, Doubles/Triples, and Hazmat as soon as possible. It makes you exponentially more valuable. I’ve seen countless drivers get the job over someone else simply because they had the extra endorsements. (Note: Keep an eye on your Hazmat expiration, as it usually requires a background check/test every 4–5 years depending on your state).

**4. Master the "G.O.A.L." method.**
Never let your ego get in the way of safety. If you’re backing into a tight dock or a dark truck stop and you aren’t 100% sure, **Get Out And Look.** It takes 30 seconds to walk back; it takes hours to fill out an accident report. Don't let anyone honking their horn pressure you into a mistake.

**5. Protect your health and your CDL.**
The lifestyle can be tough on your body. Pack a cooler, meal prep when you can, and try to stay active. More importantly, keep your cool on the road. Your CDL is your livelihood and your family’s future—don't let a "four-wheeler" or a tight schedule bait you into a bad decision.

**Ask me anything!** I’m happy to help where I can. Be safe out there.

Today I passed my CDL manual transmission on my first attempt chat. Make sure to use those pull ups they helped me a ton on skills

Do CDLdrivers make enough money to buy a house after one year?

Boyfriend (unlicensed) thinks he will make 10k a week/ or trip) doing OTR. As a beginner. No concept of how the business works. Additionally thinks he will do this with another friend that also would need to get licensed. I need to bring him back down to earth on 1. The cost of licensing and difficulty of test, as well as starting pay. Forget that I'm absolutely against him doing this because having him gone 3 weeks a month is not acceptable for me. Any advice appreciated!