1st: To Get Your CDL License and become a Professional Driver (Trucker).

• Go to DMV/MVD and pickup a free CDL Permit study book.
• Read it front to back. Study it well.
• Return to Dept. Of Motor Vehicles Licensing Office, and take CDL Permit test/s, and get your CDL Permit. Usually $20 to $80. (If you fail, restudy book, retry for usually $20 there).

2nd: CALL ANY Major Trucking Company's Recruiting Dept. and tell them you have your CDL Permit, and want to attend their Academy (typically a 3-week academy or less).

3rd: Get $200 to $300 in your pocket for FOOD for the duration of the Academy. The trucking company will, typically, pay for everything else, including transportation. (I personally recommend SWIFT Transportation's 3 week Academy. Easiest, and they pass everyone.)

4th: Attend and pass the academy and pass your official CDL License Testing, and grab your CDL License.

5th: Go with a company Mentor for a few weeks, in that company, until you are Solo, with your own Tractor, for that company.

6th: Drive well OTR/Nationwide for AT LEAST 6 MONTHS TO 1 YEAR. (I can't stress 6 months at least enough. Nobody else will touch you until at least 6 months solo driving exp. with super minimal accidents/tickets).

7th: PICK UP THE DAMN PHONE ASAP, AND CALL ANY/ALL OTHER COMPANIES AND ASK THEIR RECRUITING DEPT.S ABOUT THEIR 'DEDICATED ACCOUNTS.' (To make a hell of a lot more $$$, and Home more-often)

CALL SEVERAL COMPANIES!!! SHOP AROUND!!!

• TELL the Recruiting Dept (of whichever company you call) WHAT YOUR HOME CITY AND STATE IS!!! -Make sure to: ASK THEM WHAT 'LOCAL OR REGIONAL DEDICATED ACCOUNTS' THAT COMPANY HAS, AND IF THERE IS 'OPEN POSITIONS CURRENTLY' ON THOSE ACCOUNTS. (Ask the Recruiter on the phone, since the recuiter has access to that Intel on their computer system immediately) -WRITE DOWN THE SPECIFICS OF THE JOB/S AVAILABLE. The Recruiting Dept. may not know too much about each account, but ask them anyways!
• FIND OUT the PAY, the TYPICAL HOURS THAT ACCOUNT RUNS, the average MILEAGE you get per week, etc. (The details of each Account)
• IF you need to, GOOGLE THAT ACCOUNT ON YOUR PHONE, and ask current drivers of it, for more info. THEY WILL be happy to let you know the TRUTH. (i.e. - Wal-Mart, Dollar General, Foodland, any damn food or retail store, lol, everyone needs a truck driver, hehe)
• DON'T COMMIT TO SHIT!!! TO ANY OTHER COMPANY RECRUITING DEPT. -UNTIL you find the Local or Regional Dedicated Account Job, of your choice, that is Perfect for your home living situation and family!
• DISCUSS IT WITH YOUR FAMILY.
• ASK FOR 'HOME-DAILY OR HOME EACH WEEKEND' (If desired) to be PUT INTO WORDS/PROMISE ON YOUR CONTRACT, WITH THIS NEW COMPANY YOU ARE CHOOSING TO JOIN (to the Recruiter).

8th: TO JOIN your new Local/Dedicated Account team.

• ATTEND THAT COMPANY'S ORIENTATION CLASS (2-7 days of orientation). The recruiter will tell you everything you need to know. Just ask the recruiter anything.
• NOW START WITH A MENTOR ON THIS ACCOUNT. PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT THIS ACCOUNT NEEDS DONE.
• GO SOLO ON ACCOUNT: Usually within a week of mentorship, you will get to finally go Solo. -ENJOY the pay raise and more home time!!! (Long road, but Well-Deserved)

** Dedicated accounts are best for those wanting to balance home time, family, and pay. *** I make over $74,000 annually with super minimal effort, work typically 9 hours for 5 days a week, and Home-Daily. No exaggeration, no bullshit. I work average of about 35 hours per week (because I'm so experienced at this account) and bring in more Net Pay than someone who works 7 days a week at 12 hours a day. (About $1300 a week net pay ###after### all taxes, other deductions, and full medical and dental coverage deductions, even after child support). ***** Also, IF you want to pay back/ pay off that contract for your academy training FOR ONLY HALF THE PRICE!!!!! Simply don't pay shit back, after you Quit the company you did your Trucking Academy with. Wait about 1-2 years, then it should be on your credit report in a collections status, and old enough. Then call that exact company handling this academy training collection, and TELL THEM YOU WANT TO 'SETTLE FOR 50% THE TOTAL PRICE REMAINING AND NO MORE. THEY WILL!! (Maybe if it was a $6000 academy like mine, get a $3000 personal loan, or just save $3000 up with your cool dedicated job. AND THEN IT'S TIME TO 'SETTLE FOR 50% TO THE DEBT COLLECTOR'. EASY.)

THIS IS WHAT I DID. And my trucking academy was 50% off, and I've had this great regional dedicated account for over 5 1/2 years now, AND LOVE ALL THE PERKS!!! I'm home more than on-the-road. SPOILED ROTTEN, LOL.

YOU CAN TOO!!! (Feel free to comment, or ask questions)

• Nolan (Lead Driver Trainer/Veteran Dedicated Account Professional Driver)