A Quick Guide to Choosing a Truck Driving School

Speeding Green Big Rig Truck on Highway

Choosing a truck driving school can be intimidating.

Where do I start?

Which is the best for my needs?

There are literally thousands of CDL schools, each with their own perks and disadvantages.

The Right CDL School – For You

A professional driving career can be a rewarding a career with perks like good pay if you land the right driving job or the flexible lifestyle.

Moreover, the increasing demands of professional truck drivers set the stage for you to leap into this worthwhile job.

But if you think the basic driving skill is all it takes to have a successful career as a truck driver, you are mistaken.

A good truck driving school is what you need to start your career on the right foot.

A good truck driving school will not only train you for your driving test but also enable you to graduate and come out as a skilled professional that companies are looking to hire.

However, not all schools for driving are cut from the same cloth.

With a number of options out there with varied costs, time commitment and depth of training, it can be difficult to decide on a good driving school to attend.

Here’s some tips to help you choose a great driving school in order to land a great career for your future.

Paid CDL Training Programs vs. Private Truck Driving Schools

The most puzzling thing to decide is whether to go for a private or a company sponsored training school.

Paid CDL training programs or company sponsored training schools are the simple stepping stones for becoming a fully licensed truck driver.

Companies like the mega carriers own and operate their own truck driver training schools in which they train and grant a commercial driver’s license.

They also provide a driving job at the end of the training but you will have some contractual obligations in this style of the training program. The company usually pays a low wage to the driver during the training time and the first year with the trucking company.

While the private CDL school charges thousands of dollars upfront, the fees of sponsored truck driving training schools can vary from low cost to no cost.

As the reputable private CDL School doesn’t have any obligations at program completion, it makes a preferred choice if you are able to pay the cost.

On the other hand, for those without the funds to pay for the private driver training program, a company-sponsored program is still a good option.

Whether you choose a truck driving school that is private or the company sponsored training school, make sure to keep your eyes wide open and go with the one that is fair and reputable.

Truck Driver and Dashboard of Big Rig

Requirements to Qualify For a Truck Driving Training Program

No matter whether you choose paid CDL training or a private truck driving school, here are the necessary requirements to qualify for the training program.

  •  Age – The required age of the driving program may vary depending on the program. Usually, 21 to 23 years are considered suitable for most of the truck driving programs.
  •  D.O.T drug test – You need to pass the D.O.T drug test to qualify for your truck driving program.
  • Clean criminal history – The applicant should have a clean criminal history, although there are allowances, depending upon the nature of the convictions/charges. 
  • U.S. citizenship – You must be a U.S citizen to qualify for CDL or truck driving program in the US.
  • Driving history – A proof of minimum 3 years of work history that can be verified by past employers is essential to enrol yourself in a truck driving training program. Also, you must not have the ‘Driving under the Influence’ charges within the last five years and moving violations for at least the past three years.
  • Commitment – In the case of company-sponsored training, a potential student may have to commit to a long-term work period that is 1 to 2 years after training. So make sure to understand the commitment, prior to signing on the dotted line and committing to training.

Related > Exactly What You Need to Know About Paid CDL Training

Things to Consider When Choosing a CDL School

  1. Manual or automatic transmissions

You may have heard some people saying that manual transmissions are a the thing of the past now and learning automatic transmissions is good enough to do well.

But the truth is, manual transmissions still exist in some trucks today. Also, learning only the automatic transmission will limit your job opportunities. This is why it essential to choose a truck driving school that offers both manual and automatic transmissions training.

  1. Trainer and student ratio

When it comes to trainer and student ratio in a training school, the lower the ratio the better it is.

The school should have at least a trainer for every 4 students. This will get you the undivided attention of the instructor.

Too many students with only one instructor can just be an exercise in frustration and you won’t get the attention and time you need from the trainer.

  1. Length of the program

A program should not be too short to fast track you through your training that you don’t even understand.

A rushed 2-week program can be quite stressful and the future employer may not consider hiring someone with only a few weeks of formal CDL training, even if you have your CDL.

  1. Trainer qualifications

The qualifications of the instructor plays a crucial role in a training program.

It is better to opt for former truckers with years of driving experience instead of brand new CDL drivers. Watch out for the schools with trainers with no CDL!

  1. Financial assistance

Private CDL schools will only accept certain financial aid programs.

Look for the grants and financial aid programs accepted by the school of your choice and figure out whether you will be eligible for any such programs.

  1. Licensing test

The licensing test is another important factor in your training. Find out if the licensing test can be repeated if you don’t pass it for the first time. If yes, you should also ask about how many times it can be repeated and how much will it cost.

Related Article > CDL Truck Driver Skills — Tips, Tricks + Instruction

Truck Driver Leaning on his Truck

Some Things to Consider Before Making a Decision  

  • Do you need to reimburse the company for your CDL training costs?
  • How much money do you need to pay back?
  • Is this cost going to be deducted from your pay? If yes, how much money will be deducted and over what period of time?
  • Will you receive a wage during the training period?
  • Do they provide a meal allowance during the training and if yes, how much allowance do they offer? Or meals provided?
  • Will the meal allowance be prepaid?
  • Do you need to reimburse the carrier the meal allowance? If so, how much is deducted per pay and how long do you have to repay?
  • Do they offer accommodation during training?

Lastly, don’t settle for the first CDL driving school you find with a tempting cheap program fee.

Explore all the options available to you and do thorough research, compare all the options and go with the one that is best for you in all aspects.   

Related > 7 Things You Need to Know About Your First Year as a New Truck Driver

Tips For Choosing a Truck Driving School

  1. Go for a state accredited training school

Keep in mind that most trucking companies prefer to hire a driver who has been licensed at a state accredited school.

So, it is better to choose a truck driving school that is state accredited with proper licensing to operate.

After all, you will want to receive the right training and become a properly licensed professional truck driver whose license is recognized by all trucking companies.

  1. Consider the location

When it comes to location, it is wise to choose a driving school within a reasonable commuting distance.

As the accommodation costs for the private school can be high for several weeks, it is better to select the one preferably close to home.

But if the training school you want to attend is too far away from your home, you can consider the accommodation provided by the school (if that’s an option).

Some companies even provide 3-5 weeks of accommodation and meals for paid CDL training.

  1. Consider a Community College CDL Program. These programs are the most accessible route for a few reasons.

They are much less expensive than a private school or company paid school. They are fully accredited which some employers care about. Tuition can sometimes be split or deferred. Grants are also an option.

Community College CDL programs are roughly 2X as long as private schools. This allows for more thorough instruction. The more training, the better.

Freedom. Once you graduate from a Community College program, you’re not obligated to anyone. Unlike a company paid program where you’re contractually obligated to drive for that company until your large training debt is paid out.

  1. Find out the success rate of their placement program

It obviously makes a better option when you know there is a job waiting for you ahead once you have successfully completed the training program.

Find out if the school has a job placement program in place.

Keep in mind that a placement program will be of no use if it leads your way to a shady  trucking company.

Also, a school with a record of a low percentage of graduate placements will not offer much value to you.

So, it is essential to do a bit of research to figure out the success rate of the school in placing graduates in solid trucking companies.

  1. Look for a school with good reputation

It is not advised to choose a truck driving school that just popped up last week.

In fact, you should go for the one that’s been around for a while.

Also, the reputation of the school matters.

Consider the schools with a good reputation.

  1. Check out the facilities

Before reaching any conclusion, make sure to visit the school in person and check out the facilities.

Talk to the staff and the trainer and take a look at the trucks and trailers they provide for trainees.

Gauge the level of professionalism and don’t forget to meet the students, if you’re able, in order to learn about their experiences with the school. This can be invaluable information.

  1. Compare the costs

Yes, the cost of the training program matters but it should not be the sole deciding factor when choosing a driving school.

Cost doesn’t speak of the quality of a program, but it can certainly have a bearing on your decision.

Visit different schools and note the features the program offers for the price and then compare to get the best bang for your buck.

  1. Look for a CDL school with some sort of a guarantee

A school that is confident about their program can be a better option to go with.

Some CDL school offer some sort of guarantee that you will indeed pass their training program that is well designed for success.

Moreover, they may also provide you with some tuition reimbursement if you fail to pass the course for the first time or allow you to redo it for no charge.

  1. Ask for recommendations

It is always an excellent option to consider word of mouth from someone your trust or a reputable source while choosing a truck driving school.

Relying on online reviews is not a great option as they aren’t always truthful.

Much of what you will read online is paid advertising, even if it doesn’t appear as an ad.

  1. Find out the actual hours behind the wheel

It is essential to know the actual hours you are going to get behind the wheel.

As there can be few students with an instructor in a training truck at a time, chances are you will not get sufficient time behind the wheel.

A sufficient number of hours behind the wheel training is critical.

This sets the stage for your level of confidence and ability when you graduate with your CDL.

  1. Ask the school why you should choose their trucking school

The school recruiter should be able to outline the important features of the school that makes it superior to the others.

Find out whether the school can provide you with the best training and preparation to grow you as a professional driver that a trucking company would want to hire.

  1. Gather as much information as possible

Don’t rush into things out of excitement. Be well informed about the school before making a decision.

Be diligent and think of all the aspects in order to make a good choice.

This is one of the most important decisions for your truck driving career.

So, it is better to invest some time in gauging all of the above crucial factors before choosing any truck driving school.

Paid CDL Training Schools

Find complete guides to training at a company sponsored CDL school and working for the trucking company, post training.

Green semi truck speeding on a highway
What type of truck driving school is the best?

There are numerous truck driving schools to choose from, as well as different types of CDL schools. Paid CDL schools, private truck driving schools and Community College CDL programs. Each has its perks and downsides. It all depends what the student wants from the program.

Are Paid CDL Schools the best choice to become a truck driver?

Paid CDL Training is but one option is you’re looking to become a truck driver. Basically, the trainee stays with the company for a year or more as an employee driving a truck, in order to ‘pay back’ the trucking company for the CDL training they have provided. This style of training works for some people, but not for everyone. Pay is typically low for this training, until such time as the contractual obligations have been fulfilled to the company.

Are truck drivers still in demand?

Yes, truck drivers are still in demand. But do take note of the fact, that many trucking companies do care about what school you received your CDL training, when hiring. So it is wise to take the time to research and find the better CDL schools.

How much does it cost to get a CDL?

There is a broad range of costs to get a CDL. There’s paid CDL training where the trainee incurs little to no costs, in exchange for staying with the company for a year or more after training. There are private CDL schools which cost thousands for the course. Then there are Community College programs which are typically longer programs, but more thorough. There are usually grants available to U.S. citizens who qualify at private or Community College programs.

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