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Before trying to get truck driver experience, visit this page so that you know exactly what type of driver the trucking industry (and every company) needs in a person they will hire and then come back.

Now that you have learned what a company needs and wants, continue reading about how to get a truck driving job as a newbie.

How To Get Trucking Experience As a New Driver/CDL holder

Tips for New Drivers or CDL Training School Graduates

For new CDL holders getting trucking a trucking job can be tough because a lot of companies want a years experience. No one will give you a job because everyone wants experience but you can't get experience because no one will give you a job right!?!

It's enough for a serious headache! Don't worry it will past. First calm down and relax and stay positive, it's not a personal attack on you.

Getting Truck Driving Experience for the New CDL Holder 101

First - go to Vista.com and order some free business cards with your name and contact information on it. If you have a few dollars maybe you may want to get some better cards without their advertising on the back. Later you will use these cards to pass out to everyone you meet dealing with trucking. This includes everyone from trucking companies to other drivers and owner operators and even shipper or receivers in warehouses or managers who work at large manufacturers.

Second - Go to one of these trucking sites that will allow you to fill out one application and the trucking companies comb through and pic what drivers application interest them. This works for some and not for others because everything matters to make the best match for you and the company, location, record, endorsements, job history, maybe even a desire for prior military, etc (who knows what else a company prefer or for what reason. The internet of course makes it easy to pick out a driver form all those applications that may suit there need so it's worth the time to fill out that one internet trucking job application for a many trucking companies. You DO NOT want to sit back and wait for one of the trucking companies from that one application to call you. That's just one step in the process.
Third - Go to the nearest truck stop to you and get some trucking magazines with the companies listed so you have a lot of trucking companies in one place on paper(If you find yourself waiting somewhere conducting business you can conveniently look through the magazine which is more difficult with the internet).

Plus, all of the trucking companies listed in these magazines will not use the service you just filled out that one application for. Some of those services cost the trucking company and some just prefer the old fashion way.

It's kind of nice for you because you will see maps illustrating where the company is hiring and where the company runs. This give you a real good idea of who to call first. You ideally want a job where you live near or in the traveling lanes. But of course if your are trying to get experience then you might have to be flexible and yes that means you will not get home as much.

Fourth - You want to pay attention to the manufacturers in your area with company trucks that haul their product over the road. Stop in and speak to their human resources to see if they are hiring. Many of those want experience but not all, it won't hurt and you never know who you will meet that could help you.Let your good positive attitude shine and impress everyone you talk to starting from the receptionist.

Note: If they say something about needing a local truck driver or yard switcher but want experience is required and you want a local gig. This may be an opportunity for you to get trucking experience and land a local job if you want and are willing to take a small hit. Think about this....

Tell them you will work for free for 2 weeks training at that job with the person they already have and after the two weeks they can decide if you are someone that they can use.

At that point they either need to decide if they will pay to continue training or letting you get good at it or they can let you move on. This is just a thought but a powerful one. Thinking outside of the box is what creates opportunity for people not sticking to doing what everyone else does or doing things the way they have always been done just because.

Fifth - Last but not least (unless you think of some other things)depending on your financial situation and free time. Sing up for self improvement classes that may be free or cheap as continuing ed coursed at community colleges or Small Business Centers. Also ask people as the education center if there are classes given for people in the transportation industry or for personal management, time management, etc.

These are classes that will not only better you as a person which will only add to the value you could bring to a company willing to give you a chance but you never know who you will meet in these classes. Remember your cards? You hold natural conversations with these people, find out who they are and what they do. Tell them about your ambitions to start your career in trucking. Let them know about the wall you have hit and how anxious you are to get started but how aware you are of the need to have patience and be persistent.

Now in the process of these conversations if you indeed are the person that I hope you are or will become, if there is someone there that can help you get a job or introduce you to someone who can, trust me they will. You have showed them that you deserve to be given a chance to shine!

Now I think you have some tools at your disposal to try and get yourself some good trucking experience as a new CDL holder. Be patient and stay at it.

Make sure you read this site about the type of driver the industry needs then list your name below if you want to so that trucking companies or owner operators that visit the site are able to contact you if they want to try out a good positive minded person as a new driver.

We can't be held responsible for what happens with your email you list. I recommend that you create new email account that you only use for posting to avoid your main email being spammed, etc

New Drivers With Little or No Experience Needing a Trucking Job

If you are a new driver needing a trucking job feel free to list your contact info below.

Hiring Companies or Owner Operators remember two things.

1. You were once inexperienced and the fact that your are now in the position to hire means that you have excelled.

2. These drivers that are here on this site have read a lot of positive and insightful information which gives them the advantage of wanting to began their trucking career the right way.

The potential that these guys will make you good drivers is high.

Give them a chance.

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What Other Visitors Have Said

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Phuong Ho Tran  starstarstarstarstar
To Whom It might concern:
I'm Phuong Ho Tran a CDL graduated. I understanding that, ex-felon like me seem hard to find work at
trucking industry when ...

Ralph Gilbert Class A 20yrs experience driving just not otr  starstarstarstarstar
Farm trucking for 20 Years but no OTR time. Class A with X,T indrosments, Dot Card, TWIC And HTAP Card. Drove Flat bed,Tanker, and grain Huler....

Class A CDL, Hazmat and Tanker Endorsement. Hamilton, Ohio.Email and Number  starstarstarstarstar
Hello! my name is Jeremy Cornett and i have a class A CDL but can not obtain employment with a company.

I also have hazmat and tanker on my CDL. I ...

alex from New york  starstarstarstarstar
I recently acquired my cdl DEC/09 looking for a lot of experience I will work for free as a team driver OTR for as long it is neccesary not time limit ...

Joyce Foreback  starstarstarstarstar
I am a fairly new driver with very little experience. I have worked for a couple of companies but only for a short time. I want to go solo, but don't have ...

edward jano grier jr  starstarstarstarstar
I'm currently seeking an otr position i recently acquired my cdl July 2009 have one felony conviction for if fraud would like an opportunity to become ...

Dwayne Culbreth  starstarstarstarstar
Hi my name is Dwayne Culbreth, and I'm a former driver.I've been out of the Trucking Industry for over a year. My last trucking job i worked for only six ...

3yrs exp Class A CDL Ellery emitchell7606@live.com  starstarstarstarstar
I HAVE 3 YRS OTR EXPERIENCE.I GOT OUT OF PRISON IN SEPT-4-2009.I DID 8 YRS FOR AGG. ASSAULT.I'M LOOKING FOR A SECOND CHANCE.WILLING TO RUN OTR.

Ellery ...

Army Veteran wants to drive  Not rated yet
Getting ready to retire from the US Army after 22 total years of service. I have 4 plus years of driving experience in all weather conditions in many ...

Seungjoo Ham Trucking School Grad.   Not rated yet
Hi,
My name is Ronnie Ham, and I recently graduated truck driving school and already have class A CDL with double/triple, tank vehicle.

I have ...

Rustynail Columbia SC Class A Experienced Clean Record  Not rated yet
I HAVE AN EXCELLENT DRIVER REC>1YR.VERIFIABLE NO ACCIDENTS I GOT 3YRS.

SUSPENDED TO 5MONTHS TIME SERVED NO PAROLE/PROBATION. WELL EVERY SINCE THEN ...

Dennis Durham NC Class A Recent Trucking School Grad  Not rated yet
I just Graduated from SAGE Truck School in Roxboro NC. I am looking for an OTR position with a reputable company.

I can be reached at; dwgikaru@yahoo....

Carl David Garner  Not rated yet
Truck Driver Class A License Tanker & Hazmat
Diesel Driving Academy 04/27/09—09/10/09
501-9456-0964 ...

8 months class a michael goodman  Not rated yet
my nane is mike i have a class-A CDL i have not driven a truck sence 05/08. Im having troulble getting a job. I have about 8 months experience. And never ...

Mike Kay Ohio Class A Driver  Not rated yet
I have Class A with all endorsements but no experience. I am looking to just start a driving career anywhere.
encubus28@hotmail.com

Chicago Class A CDL - 1 year Class B CDL School Bus Exp - Martin Pumphrey 773 216-6065 mrmpumphrey@yahoo.com  Not rated yet
I Martin Pumphrey am currently a school bus driver in Chicago IL. I been driving school buses for a year. I just got my Class A CDL in Dec 2009 and I am ...

Louisville Kentucky USA Rick OTR  Not rated yet
Have my CDL class A. Now I need finish up training. Will work free for 2 weeks as team driver OTR. Dependable and mature. Louisville Kentucky email RICK445566@...

Ellery Mitchell(832-451-9390)(emitchell7606@live.com)  Not rated yet
I LIVE IN HOUSTON,TX.I HAVE 3 YRS OTR EXPERIENCE IN VAN,FLATBED,CONTAINERS,AND TANKS.WILLING TO RUN OTR.~THANKYOU~

Long Island, New York Class A Driver. I Am Peter  Not rated yet
I hold a Class A license with endorsements for Hazmat, Tanker, Doubles-Triples but do lack experience. I am seeking a position that offers a trainer/finisher ...

Center, Tx Class A Driver. I am Timothy  Not rated yet
I am a single man,Never been married,and therefore can offer you a flexible working schedule.

I feel like I can make you a very good hand/driver. I ...

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