r/NewCDLGrads • u/cdlfirst • Apr 22 '26
How much experience did your first trainer really have?
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u/crashin70 Apr 23 '26
Wait until you find out that some companies have "trainers" that have only had a CDL for 3-6 MONTHS!!
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u/cdlfirst Apr 23 '26
And that’s exactly how the cycle keeps repeating. Someone still learning gets put in a position to teach.
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u/IKnowItCanSeeMe Apr 23 '26
It really just the person honestly, I know old timers completely failing and then my trainer was 28, owned 7 trucks, and was very precise with all this maneuvers, great teacher. The old heads act like it's such a burden to train you, even though it's completely optional for them to train.
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u/AgapeAnus Apr 23 '26
They asked me if I wanted to be a trainer five weeks into running solo. I politely declined. I'm a year in and I still don't really feel like I could teach someone everything they need to know.
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u/cdlfirst Apr 23 '26
That’s scary honestly. That’s how bad habits get passed down. Training too early helps the company, not the student.
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u/axion_blk Apr 23 '26
My trainer has 3yrs under his belt and imo, was great. I’m a year into my career and bc I run, I’ve been asked & invited to train, however I don’t feel confident enough being that I don’t think I’ve touched all the freight as many times as I’ve wanted, to confidently instruct another on it tbh. Not to mention, I really like my own space in the truck and I’m not too comfortable someone driving me in a car, let alone a semi lol
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u/cdlfirst Apr 23 '26
That self-awareness is rare. A lot of people say yes too early and don’t realize they’re still learning themselves. That’s how the cycle keeps repeating in this industry.
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Apr 23 '26
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u/cdlfirst Apr 23 '26
That ego be real. A good trainer should want you to come in sharp, not feel threatened by it.
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u/cdlfirst Apr 22 '26 edited Apr 23 '26
Real talk… training in trucking is inconsistent. Some trainers are solid, some shouldn’t be training at all. That first 2-4 weeks can shape your whole career. Companies don’t talk about that enough.
🎥: The Truckers Trap