Truck Driving School Guide

Finding the right truck driving school can be quite a challenge for the newcomer. What questions should you ask and what should you be looking for in a truck driving school? Making the right choice can either make or break your career before you even get started. Before you hand over thousands of dollars for CDL training, let's look at some important factors to consider.

First, is the school licensed by the State? Is it Accredited and more importantly, is it Certified? To understand these factors you must understand what each of these terms represent.

A State business license shows that the business in question has filed and paid the appropriate fees, and have met the guidelines set forth by the State, which allows them to legally operate that business within the State they reside.

Accreditation refers to schools that have been accredited by an agency that has been approved by the U.S. Department of Education. Only truck driving schools that have been accredited are entitled to have access to federal student grants and loans. There are very few truck driving schools that have achieved accreditation because of the tough standards and the expensive process. A truck driving school that has been accredited, shows that they have met the highest standards for education.

Certification, on the other hand, pertains to a truck driving school that has met the training standards set forth by the trucking industry. Certification shows that an independent third party, unrelated to the truck driving school, has inspected the school and has officially "certified" that the training offered to the students have met the basic skills required to be a truck driver within the entry level. PTDI is the only organization that currently certifies truck driving schools. PTDI (Professional Truck Driver Institute) is based out of Alexandria, Virginia. Certification is voluntary and a truck driving school is not required to be certified by PTDI. Therefore, keep in mind, that just because a school is not PTDI certified, does not mean they are a "bad" school. Never the less, being PTDI certified only further justifies a school's reputation.

Important questions to ask before signing on with a truck driving school are:


How much is it going to cost? On the average, CDL training should cost between $2500.00 to $4500.00
What is the student to truck ratio? The lower the number, the better!
What is the student to instructor ratio? Again, the lower the number, the better.
Will there be any "observation" time? This is a total waste of time and money.
Is there an offer for job placement assistance after completing the course?
What if the trucking company I'm placed with treats me badly...is there further assistance?
If I fail the CDL test, is there a money-back guarantee?
What is the maximum amount that I will be responsible for in payment?

Remember, ask anything and everything BEFORE you sign the paper work. Also, take the contract home and read every word, very carefully. If something is unclear, ask someone outside of the school. Be certain that you understand everything within the contract before signing. Once signed, you will be held responsible.

There are many good, reputable truck driving schools across the nation. Do your homework, make sure they are licensed, accredited and if possible, PTDI certified. Know your rights and understand the contract before you sign up for the truck driving school.

Aubrey Allen Smith is the author of the first and original Truth About Trucking. With nearly 30 years in the transportation industry, Allen has helped many new, inexperienced drivers discover the truth about the trucking business. If you are considering a career in trucking, please visit http://www.truthabouttrucking.com today, and learn the truth. Here is your FREE Truck Driving School Guide.

Problem Trucking Students Fall Prey to CDL School Greed

By: Allen Smith

Many CDL truck driving schools continue to lure prospective students into class through the promises of big money and guaranteed employment.  The fact is, many trucking companies are hiring new CDL school graduates and getting those unemployed from the recession back to work.  That is a good thing.

The problem is that too many of these truck driver training schools are still taking anyone who walks through their door willing to pay the price . . . even when the school knows that their chances of being hired by any motor carrier is next to zero.

CDL students are going into debt for thousands of dollars for the prized Class A Commercial Driver License with the understanding that within a few weeks, they will be fully employed and on the road to earning $50,000 plus per year.  Many are told the more realistic figure of $32,000 annual income, unaware of the dead end that lies ahead.  Accepted by the CDL school, these are the students who have speeding tickets, DUI’s, accidents and even felonies on their records.

I recently received an email from a CDL graduate who has been unable to obtain employment from any trucking company throughout the United States.  Having paid $6,000 for the commercial license, the school had informed him that the two DUI’s and the one felony on his record would be something that they could “work through.” Now, back in reality, his $6,000 CDL is totally useless.

Many of these CDL training schools are receiving governments grants, accepting students that most likely will not be candidates for the trucking industry.  The National Commercial Drivers License Program Improvement Grant awards 25 million dollars to these schools.

Reference : Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) , Public Law 109-59, 119 Stat. 1144, 49 U.S.C 31311 and 31313.

If you are considering becoming a professional truck driver and attending the required CDL truck driver training school, remember one thing before you sign on the dotted line and hand over your money or sign the loan papers . . . the Comprehensive Safety Analysis (CSA) has changed the hiring standards of the U. S. trucking industry.  Too many CDL students are learning the hard way that the CSA has added serious complications in regards to their hiring chances.

Through the implementation of the CSA, motor carriers are practicing a much stricter hiring process, looking for drivers with the best and most flawless driving and history background.  The Pre-Screen Employment Program (PSP) will provide the trucking company with a three year look-back of the driving record, showing any driving violations;  furthermore, it will show a five year look-back of any motor vehicle crashes, relating to those drivers’ with experience.  Independently, there will be a background check performed for other violations such as DWI, felonies or other such criminal convictions.

As a newcomer to the trucking industry, these students have no experience, therefore they will not have a three or five year history, but the company and their insurance carrier will still perform a background check.  Any driving violations, along with any criminal data will be discovered.  CDL schools know this, yet many will still accept these students in their training program.  It is all about the money, regardless that the students will find themselves still unemployed with a worthless commercial driver license.

As motor carriers concern themselves with maintaining the best safety record and safety score possible, they also want to hire those drivers with excellent background checks .  It is all about the CSA and the new age of trucking.  A recent CDL graduate with an excellent MVR record etc., is just what the company is looking for;  this type of new-hire will only add to the motor carrier’s safety rating because the graduate has no “history.”

Another problem many CDL graduates face, which I have discussed many times, is when they complete CDL training and fail to get started in a job immediately.  Once CDL training is completed, there is no time to sit back with a “wait and see” attitude of which trucking company you want to work for.

James McCormack of Trucking Careers of America, a career advisory and job placement company, offers the following advise:  

“When you graduate from a trucking school you have a short window to go into trucking.  If you exceed that window you have to take a 40 hour refresher course . On the other hand,  if you are out of school for 3 years and have never used your CDL,  you will most likely be required to take the course all over again.  If that’s the case,  you have two options:  go back to a school or go with a company sponsored program.   If you choose to go with a company sponsored program there will be a contract involved.”

Major problems I am seeing from recent CDL graduates who are still jobless months after completing training, are (1) they have waited too long after graduating before accepting a job offer;   (2)  they failed to understand the complications and stricter hiring standards due to the CSA and (3)  they have a poor driving record and/or criminal background and fell victim to a CDL training school that took their money anyway, knowing they would be non-hireable.

The U. S. trucking industry has changed.  This is the first thing you must understand.  The days of moving from job to job or buying a CDL from a CDL school mill and hitting the open road in the big rig are over, and they have been over for some time now.  Experienced drivers, along with CDL recent graduates can no longer easily land a truck driving job with violations, accidents and felonies on their records.  Even veteran truck drivers are falling prey to the money-making institution that the trucking industry has become.

Mr. McCormack recites another story in regards to a seasoned, experienced trucker:

“Here is an example of the mentality of the trucking industry – I talked to a CDL holder a while back that had 20 years OTR experience.  In that 20 year period he worked for only 3 companies.  He was an instructor at times, never had a ticket, accident, etc.   He was also voted employee of the year on numerous occasions.  It doesn’t get any better.  The problem was it had been 5 years since he drove.  Every company he tried to get hired by said no.  He would have to go through full training again before they would consider him.  As it turned out,  I sent him to a company sponsored program, he fulfilled his contract and afterwards I sent him to (an area company).   He’s now making the income he wanted with good home time.”

If a 20 year OTR trucking veteran has to go through this, then as a newcomer to the industry, imagine what kind of record and background history that the motor carrier will want from you.   When the CDL school tells a student that prior violations will not be a factor in their hiring ability, they are not being honest and are only looking at pocketing the huge CDL training fee.

Stories of CDL school graduates having been victimized by truck driving schools are endless, and it appears to be getting worse;  another recent graduate experienced the pitfall of choosing the wrong truck driving school . . . James McCormack explains:

“I just talked to a recent graduate from a school in New York.  This graduate paid $9,800 for CDL training.  He financed the loan with his mother as a co-signer.  He and his mother were told they guaranteed job placement even though he had a criminal record.  He’s now paying $112 a month for 10 years.   He received his CDL, however there is one big problem!”

“He was charged with felony possession of cocaine in 5/08 and was convicted on 5/5/09.  One year in jail, a drug rehab program and probation.  He just finished his probation.  Of course he can’t get a job, in addition, the school guarantees in writing they will find them a job -  SURE !  This is another example of abuse in this industry.  There is no way this school should have taken this student.  In my opinion, this is financial greed.”

Use common sense.  Trucking companies require professional, safe drivers and with the CSA, that statement has never been more true.  If you have recent  DUI’s, felonies, speeding tickets, accidents and simply a poor driving and safety record,  even within the last several years, do yourself a favor . . .  keep your money and look for another career.

© 2011, AskTheTrucker. All rights reserved.

: cdl training, cdl truck driver training, cdl truck driving school, Commercial Drivers License Program Improvement Grant, CSA, James McCormack, SAFETEA-LU, truck driver PSP, trucking careers, trucking jobs

Tagged with: cdl training • cdl truck driver training • cdl truck driving school • Commercial Drivers License Program Improvement Grant • CSA • James McCormack • SAFETEA-LU • truck driver PSP • trucking careers • trucking jobs

Filed under: DOT • Driver License • Education • FMCSA • Jobs and Careers • Politics • Safety • Truck Driving Jobs • Trucking Company and Driving School Comments • otr trucking • truck driving schools • trucking • trucking life

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Life in the Truck Driving School Vs Life Driving the Big Rig

No matter how seriously you spent your time in the truck driving school classes and obtained your CDL license with true dedication, there is a world of difference in actual truck driving on the road and the truck driving lessons you learned in the school.

When you are on to the road for the first time there will be a mixed feeling of excitement and nervousness as you will not be aware of what is in store for you as a professional truck driver. The loads of information that has been piled on you at the time of the course will suddenly fall short in front of the real trucking knowledge which can only be gained by years of experience.

The training provided in the school follows a set standard and pattern for all trucking jobs. However the real trucking jobs are dependent on different traffic and driving regulations prevailing in different states. There are varied climate type, loads available type, terrains and traffic pattern which you have never come across in your trucking school. There are different trucking jobs available with different trucking companies, ready to hire you as soon as you are out of the driving school. But this will be an important decision for you as you should find out which type of trucking job will suit you the best.

When you are ready to take your stroll on the road, with your first pre-trip inspection you may find all the seven thousand things which you learnt in your driving school is no longer applicable in this situation. May be you remember just the basics but you are simply not able to recall the rest. Don't worry this happen to the finest of drivers in their initial days.

The best learning time when you can gain the real road and trucking knowledge is when you will start off your career under a trainer for a month or two. He will be your companion in the few of your initial trucking assignments. These rides will be full of adventure and challenges. You will get accustomed to the trucking lifestyle at this point of time. This will be the time you can learn the most. So come up with as many questions as you can and clear all your doubts regarding loads, trucks, roads and driving practices. Pay attention to his driving styles, problem solving techniques, loads handling and dealing with freight brokers.

You might have not paid attention while in truck driving class as the main aim to study lessons at that time was to clear your CDL exam. The theory papers of the CDL exam consists of direct and easy questions from the manual. But to catch the relevant knowledge from your trainer at this time will lay the foundation stone of your successful trucking driving career ahead.

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