I am thinking about getting into trucking. I have no experence and plan to go to community college for my CDL here in Houston and have a clean driving/criminal record. What is the driving opportunities like for a new beginner from Texas? I have searched the board and read about how other new drivers from other states are having a hard time getting hired.

I will also get my HAZMAT. I know I will have to get on with some of the crappy companies to get my foot in the door.

Thanks for your help guys.

 

This is a difficult time to get into this business, but there are carriers who are hiring. I think it is wise of you to go to a community college for your CDL rather than one of the CDL mills. Having the hazmat endorsement would give you additional opportunities. I would not go into this with the idea that you need to work for a "crappy companies" to get your foot in the door. How well you do with any carrier will have more to do with your attitude and willingness to learn than anything else. Many of those who complain about a carrier fail to keep the lines of communication open and follow the rules. There are some bad or incompetent people at most companies, but I think that most of them want you to succeed. It is in their best interest for you to be successful. I have met happy drivers with Swift and other carriers who have been with their carrier for many years. If you talk to others they constantly put those same carriers down. No carrier is perfect, neither are drivers. You need to make your mind up that you will do your best and stick it out for at least a year or two. Drivers who move around a lot are finding it difficult to find a decent job. In fact, some are not able to find work, period. At least in this end of the business.

 

Well, being in texas is prety good. I see a lot of bussiness in TX. Not sure how things are with things being slow but if I could count on anyplace being busy, it was tx

 

Get the HazMat and your TWIC card along with anything else you may need to get into a port along with your passport a sealed copy of your birth certificate.

I'm in Michigan, and cannot find work to save my life. Twenty years under my belt, a few million miles with a squeaky clean record and no accidents. Good luck!

 

I got mine at HoustonCC NE Campus/ Driver School. If you can, do the 7 week PTDI course - still cheap and definitely worth it.. Outstanding Program/ facilities. They will get you through the HAZMAT ordeal, I don't know about the TWIC, but they should by now.
Get Every Endorsement. This is the last time you'll find it Easy!

Go for it.

HCC brings recruiters in: From the cooliecarriers to OOs, graduates o the program are welcome back at any time to Testify - and they're seriously informative. I'm a Texas driver but I hired out to an out-o-state carrier with a TX terminal that sent a recruiter in... 4.5 yrs later, still with'em.

 

The only thing you need to have to get a TWIC is a fairly clean background and $132.50. There is no test as with the hazmat.

 

Where about in TX are you?
There are a number of CC's that offer CDL training.

 

go to community college for my CDL here in Houston RTFP. BOL

 

Personally my wife and I went to Alvin Community College.

Their program is connected with the Houston Community College. They use their trucks, instructors and facilities.

 

How is your MVR for the last 5 years? If it's clean, you stand a good chance. However, if you have tickets, it's going to be very hard. Trucking companies are very picky now, and will not hire those who will increase their insurance rates.

I know. Untill the points clear off, I'm selling computers. Hopefully by then, the economy will have changed for the better....:lol::lol::lol: