Free Truck Driving Schools - The Numbers Are Growing

I have been researching different options for people who want to find free, or nearly free, CDL training to become truck drivers. The list is growing continuously and I'm getting the impression that I've barely scratched the surface in this arena. And when you look at the dynamics of the trucking industry, I expect the opportunities for free truck driving school will continue to grow for many years. Here's my thinking on it.

It only takes a few weeks to learn enough about backing up, steering, and shifting a tractor trailer to be able to get your class A CDL license and head out on the road with an experienced trainer by your side. With the help of this trainer for several weeks (preferably about 6), you'll have a much better understanding of how to drive, handle your logbook, and schedule your days so that you can function by yourself out there in your own truck. Now understand something - it takes years and years to really become a good driver. Anyone can shift and steer under quiet conditions, but I've had my fully loaded rig go almost completely sideways and begin to jacknife on a patch of ice you couldn't tell was there at about 50 mph. With a couple of gentle, subtle tactics I was able to regain control in less than 3 seconds and continue down the road like nothing ever happened. Is someone two months out of school going to be able to do that? Only if they are the luckiest person on earth! And we all need a little (or a lot) of luck sometimes! But within about 3 weeks of starting truck driving school you are working for a company, out on the road making money. And within 2 months or so, you are alone in your own rig, cruisin down the higway!

Now if you weren't already aware, there is a huuuuge turnover in the trucking industry. In fact, it's over 100% on the average. Which means a company with 1000 drivers will have to hire over 1000 drivers per year to keep most of their trucks rolling. That's how many people quit each year. It's mind-boggling. And the lifestyle of a truck driver is certainly no easy life to be sure! So for these, and various other reasons, there is always a huge demand for drivers. Trucking companies spend thousands of dollars for each driver that they hire. Back in 2004, an orientation manager at a large company told me that they spend an average of $3200 for each driver they hire. That includes recruiting costs, paperwork, transportation, orientation, initializing worker's comp, and various other costs. So having to hire a large number of people every year is an incredible expense, and it gets worse every year!

Now if you put some of these factors together to get an overall picture of the trucking industry, you'll see that the combination makes the industry a perfect candidate for free schooling. How do I come to that conclusion? Because a new driver can start making plenty of money to pay back a loan pretty much as soon as he is through with the training period and out on his own. The schooling only takes a few weeks, and then the training takes a few more. So if trucking companies are desperate for drivers, and they are going to spend a ton of money bringing in experienced drivers and paying them more per mile with no way to really keep them from leaving, then why not find a way to spend that money on drivers that you will pay much less per mile and be able to give them a great reason to stay with the company for a while? Well that's exactly what companies are doing more and more these days.

By offering to cover most, if not all of the upfront costs of going to school, and requiring a new graduate to pay back little or no money for the schooling itself, they can in turn keep the driver working at the company for an extended period of time. They simply require that the driver remain with the company for a specified amount of time. If they do, the cost of schooling will either be free, or almost free, because the majority of it will be paid for by the company. In return, the company gets a new driver that earns much less per mile than an experienced driver and good reason to believe that the driver will remain with the company for longer than an experienced driver would. After all, for the new driver to quit it would cost him/her thousands of dollars. To stay on for a year or so would give them good experience, a good paying job, and basically a free ticket into the trucking industry. So everybody wins.

I expect the amount of opportunities for free CDL training to continue to increase in the coming years and I am going to focus more and more of my time and effort on finding these opportunities and promoting the idea to trucking companies and truck driving schools alike. The number of partnerships between the companies and the schools should be increasing, and so should the creativity that goes into structuring these plans so that they are effective for everyone. There are a number of interesting dynamics involved, including the internal debate at the larger trucking companies over whether they should be running their own private schools, or whether they should be getting into partnerships with existing independent schools? Should trucking companies be sponsoring drivers by covering the cost of schooling up front, or offering to pay back student loans as long as the driver remains with the company?

Stay tuned in the coming weeks and months for more coverage on this topic.

Thanks for reading and until next time, take care!

About The Author
Brett Aquila
15 Year Truck Driving Veteran
Owner - http://www.truckingtruth.com - the largest, most honest, and informative site on the web for those considering becoming a truck driver. We have tons of resources on our site, including:
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Truck Driving Schools

I have received multiple emails asking the question "What is the best truck driving school?" or "Where do you recommend I get truck driver training?" Should you pay out of pocket or sign a contract with a trucking company school for free truck driver training?

I don't know anyone who can claim to be an expert on truck driving schools or the best method to pay for your truck driving school! The fact is most people have only gone to one trucking school and if for some reason they have gone to more than one I would stay clear of them!

The choice of a trucking company school or a private truck driving school is a personal one and depends on your unique situation. Location, money, time etc. The only comment I really have on paying for a truck driving school would be if you can pay on your own go ahead.

If you are paying out of pocket make sure that the school has job placement with a decent trucking company! Some trucking companies will reimburse you all or part of your tuition depending on how long you drive a truck for them. You will have no commitment to any trucking company and can move on when you feel like it if you pay for your CDL training out of your own pocket. You can judge the quality of a truck driving school by the job placement they provide.

If several large trucking companies recruit from a particular truck driving school graduate pool, that particular trucking school probably trains students well or the big trucking companies would not want to use that truck driving school has a hiring pool. Company trucking schools will usually train you well because you will be working for them and driving their trucks! Make sense?

After you have been driving for a while you will realize that most of your learning is on the road and the truck driving school served no other purpose than just getting your CDL, learning the basics, and job placement.

I personally went through the Schneider training academy when I started driving and I can say it was a good school and that they probably over train their students. Schneider is known for having one of the best truck driving schools in the trucking industry but I have nothing to compare the experience with. I only went through truck driving school one time myself.

Troy Dudenhoefer is a Top Paid Truck Driver and Author of " How to Make $65-95,000 driving a Truck... and Be Home EveryDay". For Truck Driving School go to http://richtruckdriver.com/

Truck Driving Schools - What They Won't Tell You

I have lost count on how many "new" drivers have contacted me explaining that they have completed a truck driving course and now have their CDL, but they cannot get hired. The reason is always the same . . . they do not have enough experience. Many of these drivers are not understanding the reasoning behind this before they pay the thousands of dollars for a truck driving school.

The truck driving schools will always tell you that you will have no problem getting hired after you achieve your CDL. This in fact, is true to a certain point, but what they don't tell you is the key factor you need to know BEFORE you enter into a truck driving school.

Laws concerning the commercial driver have gotten very strict in the last several years, especially after 911. New drivers are always telling me that the company wants at least six months to a year of experience before they can hire them. So now, they have spent thousands of dollars for a CDL, but have no driving experience, so they cannot get hired. It really is not the company that won't hire them, but the problem lies with their insurance company.

The trucking company's insurance carrier is actually the one that requires the six months to a year of experience. So how can the truck driving schools claim that you will have no problem getting hired? The answer lies with the mega trucking companies. These giant companies offer their own "truck driving schools" that will land you your CDL, and then you will be required to work for them and them alone, usually riding with a "trainer" for 6-8 weeks before being allowed to "go it alone." In addition, during all this time, you will be at the low end of the pay scale. Also, many of these massive trucking companies are their OWN insurance company! Therefore, they can "bend" the rules so to speak.

If the truck driving school tells you that you will have no problem getting hired, asked them about the six months to a year of experience that the insurance companies require and see what they say. Most all of these "schools" have contracts with certain trucking companies that will hire you after you complete your CDL course. But you can only work for them, therefore you are stuck with that company only. If you believe you can go to a truck driving school and immediately go anywhere and start working locally, chances are you will be wrong. Your only choices will be to go with the giant trucking companies working over the road, until you can build up the experience required by the insurance companies. There are hundreds of these trucking companies that will hire "new grads" and get them "pushed" through on "their" insurance. The only problem is that over the road may not have been in your plans.

Also, keep in mind that while you are at the mercy of these giant companies, you will be at the low end of the pay scale . . . usually around $300 per week. Thereafter, the raises will be slow coming. This is how trucking companies can get their freight moved cheap . . . by constantly hiring "new grads" and weeding out the drivers that are now at the top end of the pay scale.

If your plans are to work locally as a professional driver and you have no experience, chances are you will have to attend a truck driving school and be forced to work for one of the larger trucking companies as an over the road driver. These schools provided by the trucking companies can run as high as $4000 or more. There is a much cheaper way to go than using these trucking company's so-called "schools."

Only after you accumulate six months to a year of driving experience meeting the criteria of the insurance companies, will you be able to go anywhere and get a job . . . including a local one.

Aubrey Allen Smith is a 29-year veteran of trucking and an expert in the field of transportation. He is the author of the Truth About Trucking and has helped hundreds of new drivers discover the scams concerning the trucking industry

Truck Driving Schools - Your First Step To A Rewarding Career!

Truck driving schools have had to meet the demand of the growing number of young drivers who are entering into one of the most in demand professions there is. By deciding to enroll at a truck driving school in any state of the USA, you have already made the decision that truck driving is the profession for you, but you are most probably confused at the number of truck driving schools, the different costs and programs, and wonder which one you should choose. Quite often truck driving schools can be quite costly, and if you are in other employment it may be difficult to arrange your tuition around your present work.

Finding a truck driving school location that is near where you live is the first thing to do. Then you will need to check on their courses, and how accredited they are and what other options they have. Some of the truck driving schools are run through local colleges so make sure you check these out as well. It can cost from $1400 to well over $5000 to receive your training at a truck driving school, of course this varies depending on how much training you need, and what sort of truck you want to drive. Some trucking companies will assist you with the cost of going to a truck driving school, but you would have to have an agreement with them to work for an arranged amount of time after.

There are also financial programs in place by many of the truck driving schools in which will assist with the costs, and these will then usually be payable over a certain period of time. If you find a truck driving school that offers just what you need but the costs are high, then look to see if you can implement one of these options. Many truck driving schools also will have placement programs in place. This is where graduates of the truck driving school are found employment in the trucking industry. There is also plenty of help available for new drivers from truck driving schools from the various recruiting and placement departments.

Finding the right truck driving school in America, is such a small investment in your future. Once you find a truck driving school that meets your budget requirements, location and course structure, then you will be well on your way to earning big bucks.But, make sure you've done your job correctly, and selected the truck driving course that fits your individual needs.You've three main categories of educational facilities:- College and university based vocational courses.- Industry based (transport companies) truck driving training.- Professional schools for commercial drivers.

Make sure, that the program you're going to attend, is accredited with the Professional Truck Drivers Institute,. This is your guarantee of the high standard and good employment prospects after the graduation.Once you obtain your Commercial drivers License, your long term career is assured. There were never better prospects for highly qualified truck drivers, to serve the growing American economy.

Truck driving school is where Sam Ness is going next month, to begin a Commercial Drivers License course. His choice was an industry-based program, offered by one of the largest American transport companies.

Find Florida Truck Driving Schools That Will Open Your Trucker's Career Fast!

Residents of Florida over 18 years old qualify for training in Florida truck driving schools. Truck drivers who plan to apply for positions that would entail the operation of vehicles over 26,000 lbs or which transport hazardous materials are required to be specially trained and to obtain a commercial driver's license or CDL. This means one must pass a written and driving exam designed to determine a person's capability to operate a truck safely within the state or between states. State-based truck driver training facilities should ensure that their students pass the physical exams as well as vision, hearing and drug tests every two years.

Before one can apply for a CDL, however one needs to enroll under a certified truck driver training program. Choosing from among the many Florida truck driving schools can be confusing as persuasive marketing and attractive offers obscure the fact that some schools promise more than they can deliver. A student must choose one that is certified or accredited by a reputable organization, and offers truck driver training that provides substantial actual driving time (at least 44 hours). Many good private driving schools may take a hefty chunk of money as tuition but considering a truck driver in Florida earns about $35,000 annually, while a tractor-trailer driver earns about $43,000, the investment may be well worth it. One of the few nationally accredited Florida schools is the National Truck Drivers School, which has been providing truck driver training since 1978. The school's programs are accredited with the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC), recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Their Florida campus is in Orange Park and offers the CDL Prepared Independent Trucker programs as well as the Commercial Driver's License Preparation program.

National Training, Inc. (NTI) is also one of the accredited by the DETC, Florida-based truck driving schools. It is also recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and licensed by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. One of the unique features of NTI is their training of eligible applicants under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) as well as Vocational Rehabilitation Participants. At its training complex in Green Cove Springs, Diesel Semi Tractor Trailer Driver Programs students benefit from three weeks of training (160 hours) on extensive training grounds on well-maintained late-model training vehicles that range from 300 HP to 450 HP engine power, up to 13 speed transmission and up to 48 foot trailers. NTI also provides job placement assistance.

SAGE Truck Driving Schools also purports to provide quality professional truck driver training and have been doing so for two decades. The SAGE programs are certified with the Professional Truck Driver Institute (PTDI) as they should be and are considered one of the best trucking school programs in the US. In-depth commercial truck driver training and instruction as well as extensive hands-on truck driving experience is part of the standard curriculum whether at their facilities at Indian River Community College at Riviera Beach or Lake City Community College in Lake City. Truck driver training programs are patterned for the Proposed Minimum Standards for Training Tractor Trailer Drivers of the Department of Transportation. The most popular program is the TTD150, which is considered the basic program for entry-level over-the-road truck driver. It involves a total of 150 hours of instruction, including 44 hours of actual driving over 5 weeks. Refresher courses are also available.

These are various types of Florida truck driving schools. For more information, search online for the best program to suit your needs. And remember, the cheapest are almost never the best. When in a hurry, enroll in the transport company-organized training. My personal tip for a trouble-free CDL ticket.

Florida truck driving schools are waiting for you! Discover how to qualify to top trucking schools in Florida and save time and money.

Truck Driving Schools - Which One to Choose For Your CDL License?

Witch so many truck driving schools around; yes, even my 4,500 people town has one, how do you find one that fits your expectations perfectly? Just graduating with the CDL that enables me to start a new career, and earn some decent living... Looking on the Internet, you'll find hundreds of web pages, belonging to various truck driving schools from across America. After a while, you should be able to find the differences. Although, it may take somebody who knows the professional jargon well, to explain to you why one truck driving course is better than the other.

Better still, try approaching truckers at the truck stop, alongside the highway. They will tell you where their truck driving training originated, what's new in the road freight industry, your perspectives for employment, which transport company is better than others, etc. Ultimately, the time will come when you'll have to make up your mind, as to what trucking commercial license course you are going to enroll to. Let me help you here, with giving you the overview of three very different kinds of trucking schools. Each one will be outlined with its more important characteristics, and the factors that may affect your choice, will be explained in detail.

Truck driving school run by the dedicated educational institutions.

Usually, staffed by experienced instructors and trainers. Trucks and training equipment are new to medium old; the age can gravitate towards the older, for small outfits. Ratio of teacher to student can be quite high, thus limiting your "real" truck driving time. Fees can be quite high, depending on the school's reputation in the industry, and local competition. Classes' times is flexible, and can accommodate individual student's requirements. Basic CDL course lasts about 6 months.

Universities and colleges run training.

Truck driving courses are run as a part of their regular vocational training. Due mainly to insufficient financial resources, the equipment is old and hardly resembling the modern rigs you see on the roads today. Classes have a set timetable. Very low fees or free of any charges. Tend to attract mainly school leavers. Duration of the course can be as long as two years.

Truck driving company run training.

You're learning on the job. Driving instructors are of considerable experience. Training facilities modern and well maintained. No charges for students who agree to work a fixed time after the graduation on company's trucks. The training fleet is modern and versatile; from small Dodge pickups, to huge B-doubles, long semis and dangerous goods vehicles. Course lasts about 6-8 weeks.

Hopefully by now, you're able to decide where to sign the enrollment forms. Before you do, ask if the trucking school you're considering is accredited with the Professional Truck Drivers Institute. This organization tries to maintain a uniform truck drivers' training standards across America. Also, visit our website: truck-driving-school.biz for the latest info. Well, right now, you're ready to enter the first stage of your rewarding professional career. Transport companies are waiting for you, with the CDL license in hand!

Which truck driving school should you choose? Before you spend your hard earned money and enroll, read the latest updates about truck driving course available in your area.

Truck Driving Schools - How To Find Top Truck Driving Course?

Truck driving schools, and more specifically those that are nationally recognized, are responsible for training the thousands of students who are then able to successfully take their place in this dynamic industry. It is common knowledge that certain truck driving schools produce the best drivers. These graduates are highly sought after because the trucking companies know that they have been taught correctly. This means a lot when you are about to hand over the keys to a truck worth several hundred thousand dollars.

There are many issues that set good truck driving schools head and shoulders above the rest. The first is that the school must offer PTDI courses. In 1986, the Professional Truck Driving Industry developed certification standards for truck driver courses. This was the first time that the industry recognized any teaching programs for their entry-level drivers, and it has been a huge turning point in producing professional, safe drivers. These standards include not just the area of driving skills, but also includes the actual course or program.

Another important issue of course is for students to be taught by well qualified instructors. Not only do they need to possess the necessary driving skills and experience, but they also need good communication skills, and plenty of patience. Students who like and respect their instructor will not only learn quicker, but will perform much better at all their given tasks. There is a great deal of time that must be spent in the classroom during a truck driving course, and a great number of things that must be learned. Good teachers always produce the best drivers.

Many truck driving schools train their students on ill-repaired and outdated equipment. This is often a cost-saving measure which does the student no good at all.

Trucking companies need students who once qualified, can easily make the move into their fleet of trucks. If the training has been carried out on some old clonker which should have been retired 20 years ago, then considerable time and expense has to be spent in familiarizing the novice driver with modern equipment. Naturally at well recognized truck driving schools you would expect to be trained on the latest, well maintained equipment so that the transition from school to employment is easy,

Issues such as student to teacher ratio is also important, particularly when it comes to the actual driving part of the program. Each student needs as much individual driving time as possible. Some schools have a bad habit of inflating the driving hours, when in actual fact you spend a great deal of time observing other students driving whilst waiting your turn. Even though this has some merit, it is no substitute and students should always clarify this issue before enrolling at any truck driving school.

Because there is such a huge shortage of truck drivers in the USA, truck driving schools have been incorporated into many of the colleges throughout all states. This has made a huge difference to the affordability of the courses, and it has meant that students are able to begin their training whilst in their last years of college. Many of these students will leave college having obtained their commercial driver's license and walk straight into a job paying around $35,000 per year. More and more of these schools are also offering PTDI courses, which is providing the industry with the highly trained and safe drivers that it so desperately needs.

Truck driving schools are the subject of Sam Ness' latest review of the career path for the intending truckers. Truck driving Schools.

Truck Driving Schools

I have received multiple emails asking the question "What is the best truck driving school?" or "Where do you recommend I get truck driver training?" Should you pay out of pocket or sign a contract with a trucking company school for free truck driver training?

I don't know anyone who can claim to be an expert on truck driving schools or the best method to pay for your truck driving school! The fact is most people have only gone to one trucking school and if for some reason they have gone to more than one I would stay clear of them!

The choice of a trucking company school or a private truck driving school is a personal one and depends on your unique situation. Location, money, time etc. The only comment I really have on paying for a truck driving school would be if you can pay on your own go ahead.

If you are paying out of pocket make sure that the school has job placement with a decent trucking company! Some trucking companies will reimburse you all or part of your tuition depending on how long you drive a truck for them. You will have no commitment to any trucking company and can move on when you feel like it if you pay for your CDL training out of your own pocket. You can judge the quality of a truck driving school by the job placement they provide.

If several large trucking companies recruit from a particular truck driving school graduate pool, that particular trucking school probably trains students well or the big trucking companies would not want to use that truck driving school has a hiring pool. Company trucking schools will usually train you well because you will be working for them and driving their trucks! Make sense?

After you have been driving for a while you will realize that most of your learning is on the road and the truck driving school served no other purpose than just getting your CDL, learning the basics, and job placement.

I personally went through the Schneider training academy when I started driving and I can say it was a good school and that they probably over train their students. Schneider is known for having one of the best truck driving schools in the trucking industry but I have nothing to compare the experience with. I only went through truck driving school one time myself.

Troy Dudenhoefer is a Top Paid Truck Driver and Author of " How to Make $65-95,000 driving a Truck... and Be Home EveryDay". For Truck Driving School go to http://richtruckdriver.com/

Truck Driving Schools & Over the Road Trucking Myths - Jul 27,2008

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