Congratulations on making the decision to obtain your Class A CDL! The demand for good drivers is always going to exist and trucking affords you the opportunity to earn a great income and a way to provide for you and your family. You may now be wondering, what is the right Class A CDL Truck Driving School for me?
To say there are a lot of truck driving schools out there would be a massive under-statement, so how do you narrow down what program is right for you?
Related: How do I Get my CLP?
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A CLASS A CDL TRUCK DRIVING SCHOOL AND A TRAINING PROGRAM?
A truck driving school will:
- Teach you enough to pass the state CDL exam and get your Class A CDL.
A training program:
- Provides you with education to pass the CDL exam and get your Class A CDL
- Includes in-house instructors who are vested in your success
- Supports you after you earn your Class A CDL with on-going training
WHAT ARE THE RIGHT QUESTIONS TO BE ASKING POTENTIAL CLASS A CDL TRUCK DRIVING SCHOOLS?
Pay close attention to the details and promises of the program. When you call and speak to a recruiter, make sure to ask a lot of open-ended questions:
- What are the details of the training?
- What can I expect each week of training to look like?
- Is there a contract? What details do I need to know about the contract?
- How much does the program cost?
- Have you partnered with any trucking companies for placement afterward?
- If through a trucking company, how long of a time period is it before I go solo?
- What fleet will I be eligible for after training?
- What do the average miles look like? Home time? Is my home time guaranteed?
- If through a trucking company, once I go solo, will I be able to bring my family members out on the road with me?
- What about my dog or cat?
Still not sure where to start? There are some great resources out there to help you decide what Class A CDL training program to choose. Make sure to check them out!