If you’re looking to become a truck driver, it’s essential you obtain a commercial driver’s license, better known as a CDL.
CDLs will legally qualify you to operate trucks with a combined tow and vehicle weight, known as gross vehicle weight rating of GVWR, of over 26,001 pounds. CDLs are broken down into Class A, B, and C certifications that differentiate the tow weight.
CDL Requirements
While no one likes tests, the overall process is fairly similar to how you received your regular driver’s license, and it’s not terribly difficult or expensive to pass. Most states have very basic truck driving requirements for acquiring a CDL, including:
- Possess a regular (non-commercial) license
- Minimum of 18 years old for intrastate driving (within the state)
- Minimum of 21 years old for interstate driving (crossing into other states) or hauling hazardous material
- Prove US citizenship or permanent residency
- Submit medical records from an authorized examiner
- Pass written and road exams
CDLs are valid anywhere from one to four years. Then, you usually just pay a renewal fee and present the documents at your local DMV.
CDL costs range from $50-150. They include application, permits, and endorsement fees
You should contact your DMV to find more about the specific state CDL requirements.
It’s now federally prohibited to hold multiple CDLs in different states. So, if you move across the country, you should consider returning your certification and getting a one in the new state. Since most states require you to renew in person, it wouldn’t be ideal to travel that far just to sign some paperwork.
5 Qualities of the Best Trucking Schools
If you’re new and looking to jump into trucking as soon as possible, your best bet is to explore trucking schools. They’ll offer coursework to make sure you pass the CDL exam the first time and often come with employment opportunities.
You have a lot of options from universities programs to paid company apprenticeships. Be sure to choose wisely coursework that is affordable, timely, and fits your schedule.
You should exercise some caution and thoroughly research the school before committing to enrollment. Lots of scammers have flooded the Internet. Follow the age-fold axiom, “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”
Here’s a breakdown of some qualities that make the best CDL training schools:
(1) – Affordability
The biggest issue by far will be the costs of their tuition. Smaller companies and trade schools may charge anywhere between $1,000 to $8,000 depending on the endorsement you’re seeking (Class A, B, or C). While a university’s tuition is based on the semester credit hour, most trucking companies charge a flat fee for the whole program.
On the other hand, large national companies, like Schneider Trucking, offer fully paid CDL training. You should sign a contract that details your salary during the training period.
A paid truck driving school program often comes with the stipulation that you sign for a job within that company after obtaining the CDL and completing your apprenticeship. Research the company benefits and determine if they might be a long-term fit.
You should keep in mind that there’s no such thing as truly “free truck driving schools” since there are always costs in relocating and living expenses during the full-time coursework. You likely won’t have the time or energy for a job while actually in school. Be sure to budget accordingly. CDL training jobs typically pay only to cover basic necessities.
If you choose to take coursework through a local university, you can apply federal financial aid by filing a FAFSA online. You should also speak to your campus advisor for any scholarship opportunities based on need or veteran status. You might also want to explore loan or grants.
Remember: given the average driver salary, truck driving schools costs are usually within your ability to pay off the first year of full-time employment.
(2) – School Credentials
As I mentioned before, scammers and frauds will mislead in your search for the right trucking school. You can search any trucking company and read scam stories at the Ripoff Report website. Since every major company will have some irrationally angry customer eventually, you might want to read them with a grain of salt.
The best companies will have credentials backed by accredited organizations such as their local Better Business Bureau or Consumer Reports. Trucking schools are usually certified by the Professional Truck Driver Institute (PTDI) or the Commercial Vehicle Training Association (CVTA). If they don’t list their credential on their website, don’t be afraid to the ask the company over the phone.
(3) – Good Reviews
Read lots of reviews from all the trucking schools that have your interest. This will give you a well-rounded view of the company directly from former students. Try to verify the comments are relatively recent and not overly emotional. You want concrete information to make an informed decision.
The company’s Yelp and Facebook could be a good source of information from student perspectives. Looking at the school’s Indeed and Glassdoor profile reviews would give you insight into their company culture and business reputation.
However, the best reviews are always from word of mouth. Ask around the trucker community from friends and family what their experiences have been with schools.
(4) – Location
For most trucking schools, you’re going to need to commute or relocate around the campus. A company paid CDL training might sound very tempting but could require you to move three states over to attend the classes. If the program doesn’t work out after you’ve signed a contract, you could be stuck far from home.
Consider carefully how far you’re willing to travel for a program. Hopefully, you’ll be practicing with some hands-on driving. So, think about the location’s potential traffic and road conditions especially if it’s around a large metro area.
(5) – Effective Teaching Style
Finally, you want a school that actually teaches you! They’ll likely have teachers that were career truckers themselves. However, just because they know the vehicle doesn’t mean they can communicate the information clearly.
Remember, there’s both a written and driving segment to most CDL exams. That means you’ll need to memorize information with some rigorous study habits plus have a level head to react quickly on the road. Get an instructor that can keep you organized and calm under stress.
Teaching is an art that involves creativity, patience, and flexibility. Above all, you need someone who can keep you motivated and on top your game!
Comparing The Best Company Paid CDL Trainings
Now that I’ve given you a brief overview of how to find a good trucking school, here’s a comparison of some of the more well-known programs throughout the United States. Make sure to weigh your options carefully and pick what’s best for your situation.
The Schneider Trucking School Assistance
Schneider Trucking is one of the largest transportation distributors in North America. While they don’t have a company school, they do offer great schooling assistance and job pre-hire programs, including an up to $7,000 reimbursement program for anyone that accepts a job within 12 months of graduation. They also offer loan and financial aid service to any approved paid CDL training across the country.
The Sage Truck Driving Schools
The Sage Driving School has been in business for over 25 years and has over two dozen locations around the country. They are dedicated to teaching each student individually by giving them the most time behind the wheel through their road courses.
They don’t list any tuition prices on their website, mentioning that admission varies by location and the certification program. However, they do offer loan programs to those that qualify.
The Swift Academy
The Swift Academy is a program of the national trucking company Swift Transportation that offers strong benefits. Their flexible classes take at least 3 weeks to complete and end with no commitments to company employment. They fully pay for your transportation to any of their closest campuses throughout the country.
The Swift driving school certainly isn’t the cheapest with a tuition of $3,900 plus an optional $750 housing plan, and they don’t compensation during your coursework. However, if you choose to take a job with them after graduation, after one year your schooling is completely reimbursed.
To find out if you qualify and learn more, contact a recruiter from their website.
The Prime Student Driver Program
Part of Prime Inc. career services, the Prime Student Driver (PSD) program is one of the more affordable truck schooling options available at just $155 for 2-4 weeks of hands-on training at either their Springfield, MO or Salt Lake City, UT campuses. This fee pays for hotel stay, meals, and daily transportation. They even include a $250 bonus if you pass your CDL the first time.
Yet, the generous Prime trucking school all comes with a student commitment to employment. After obtaining your CDL, you’ll start a final training program of team driving 30,000 miles with a mentor during which you’re guaranteed $700 in weekly settlements. Then, you’re set to become a lead solo driver and qualify for full benefits.
Every trucking school will have its own pros and cons. Tuition, employment commitments, and their campus locations should all be big factors in your search.
If you’re just looking to start your trucking career, what success and setbacks have you had?
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