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What is the Right Class A CDL Truck Driving School for Me?
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.
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 school and a training program?
A school will:
- Teach you enough to pass the state CDL exam, and get your Class A CDL.
A training program:
- Provides you 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?
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 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?
- 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?
Are there paid training programs out there?
It is difficult enough to learn the skills for a new career, but going 3-8 weeks or more without pay can make it even more challenging. Trying to focus on becoming a safe and successful driver is hard when you’re worried about the lack of pay coming in and how it may affect your family. Not all Class A CDL programs are paid, but there are a handful that are! If continuing to earn a competitive paycheck while you train is important to you, make sure to have this on the top of your priority list when selecting a program!
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!