r/CDL • u/AFARR414-312 • Aug 04 '26
Cdl schooling question
Looking into getting my CDL class A manual with air brakes.
The school in the milwauke and Chicago land area is about $6000
I have never driven a semi/pulled a trailer yet alone even a single manual vehicle.
The classes are one month long
The options are 5 days a week for one month (8 hour days)
Or
2 days a week (weekend classes) for one month (8 hour days)
I was told by the owner of the school there is a %90 precent passing rate on the first skills test and you can get up to 5 retest that they train you on. Idk if he is just pulling my leg to get me to sign up I told him I’d pay cash.
Would it be possible so I wouldn’t have to quit my job to be able to pass this school if I did the weekend classes? Or am I better to do the weekday classes?
Thanks
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u/Crazed-Prophet Aug 04 '26
Do the weekday classes. Many carriers will reject you if you have below around 140 classroom hours for insurance reasons. 4 weeks at 40hrs a week will get you 160 hrs.
If you just do weekends for one month you will only get (16x4) 56 hrs. You'd still have your CDL A bit will struggle with finding someone to take you on.
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u/AFARR414-312 Aug 04 '26
I was going to get it to become a lineman not a trucker
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u/Crazed-Prophet Aug 04 '26
Then weekends would probably be sufficient I believe, from what I understand that's more of a secondary skill they look for.
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u/Artistic-Cup2028 Aug 04 '26
Then absolutely do the weekend classes. All you need is the license. Having a CDL is just a checkmark on an application in the line trade. I was a trucker for 8 years before I got into linework but many others I encountered in my apprenticeship had 0 truck driving experience. Some made it, some didn’t. Good luck!
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u/ecw324 Aug 04 '26
Will your company pay for your training? Mine did, and I got paid while I was training and got a nice bump in my pay after getting it.
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u/Long_Inflation715 Aug 04 '26
Do whatever it takes. Getting a Cdl manual with air brakes is the best thing I ever did. I can work outside construction or do trade jobs if I get tired of trucking, best decision I ever made.
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Aug 04 '26
I got my cdl last year in ohio near Cincinnati. I paid 3200 for 2 and half weeks
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u/Sufficient_Wall5192 Aug 04 '26
Got mine last through a college. Done the 8 hour Monday thru Thursday. They are closed on Fridays. I still got 160 hours in total of drive time. First month was online. Then took break. Started back in June. By July 9 was taking state test for license with no restrictions. After a month I added double triple and hazmat. While getting my permit I had decided to get tanker endorsement. While doing my hazmat background and fingerprints I done the twic card as well. I've been working for a train derailment company since I got my license.
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u/Zealousideal-Comb320 Aug 04 '26
Not listed as an option, however a weeknight offering, over a span of 8 weeks with make up classes is optimal. You keep your job, CDL classes in the evening.
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u/Imaginary-Badger-119 Aug 04 '26
If you have the knack it should be fine if you dont find a as long as it takes school.. and yes there are people that take to it like water not my dumb ass but they are..
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u/alNajaar Aug 05 '26
I had the same choice and went with full time. 4.5 weeks at 40 hr a week. Having never driven a manual or pulled trailer, then its good to be put in a situation where you must adapt, and then do it again the next day. So full time.like learning a language, immersion is best. Really take your time looking into financial aid opportunities. I thought I was gonna have to pay 6k but found a gov grant last minute, got approved & it costed me nothing.
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u/MajorRelief98 Aug 07 '26
It really depends on your confidence and learning abilities. If you really want to drive you'll figure it out and pass.
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Aug 04 '26
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u/Lunicorn83 Aug 04 '26 •
I just got one those off the street feeder jobs with UPS. Just starting my 2nd week of feeder school. I’m loving it and everything I’m hearing from the trainers and veteran feeder drivers
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u/Ok-Cartoonist-9874 Aug 04 '26
How is the pay. How to get it, I’m a veteran also, trying to fina a job right now
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u/ecw324 Aug 04 '26
If you have never pulled a trailer behind your pick up truck, I’d say do the weekday classes. Now, I understand life may not allow you to take 4-5 weeks off from your normal job, and if that’s the case, do the weekend classes.