well first i been reading all the threads on here just so much to learn now i just like some advise on driving school company (sni) or private(roadmaster) i know roadmaster is 6,000.00 witch i can go with a company to pay for school i like that option because i can kinda choose what company i like witch is another ??? and with sni its a yr contract witch i dont really like that ideal so can anyone help me make up my mind thanks for ur help

This was a good thread if you missed it.

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Unless they have changed it check with CFI. They have a program to send new people to PTDI certified schools and the student pays partial cost. There is no contract to sign. If you want more info you can check their driver BB at [LINK POSTED BY MEMBER] Only Members Can View This Truck Forum Link. .

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$6,000 is highway robbery! I'm sure there's interest on top of that as well. By the time your done you will pay $9 or $10K for the license. Start calling your community colleges and find out about there CDL courses. Avoid these over-priced CDL mills if you can.

Once you determine whether you'll get your license on your own or not, then look at companies. Call these companies and ask about their requirements. If they hire out of the school you go to...fine. If not, find out who does hire from the school. The school should know already.

You have to know what companies will hire you BEFORE plunking down any money for a school. DO NOT go to school...and then look at companies after you graduate.

Someone mentioned CFI. That's a good place to start making inquiries. They have a great rookie program for about 1/4 of the price you're talking about.

Whatever you do, don't give any money or enroll in any school until you have a solid plan. Too many make the mistake of going to school and then start looking for companies after they graduate. Schools are not the hiring authority, the company is.

I am confused.There are so many posts about company verses pay for school on my own????

Here's my 2 cents....

If I pay 3, 4, $5,000 out of my own pocket and then still need to be trained (rightly so as there is so much to learn) ...how is that better than taking free schooling from a company and then if I leave before a year...and I have to pay them back the 3,4 or $5000 to them.... I have in effect paid the same money, but now have the training and experience and the possibility of another job.... The worst that happened is you got their money for schooling with NO INTEREST for months and months... GOOD deal.... I do think that if you work smart, hard, with a great positive attitude - most companies can be long term as they reward these type of drivers. Common sense.

Is that the cost of the couple week course that you are talking about or what? I am paying $7200 for my course (PTDI certified and all...at Baker) and that is considered 3 quarters of classes....2 with actual class and training..and then 1 quarter is the externship....I know this seems like a lot of money right now....but I am sure that I will get a lot more out of it then I will with 2 or 3 week training program with a company. I think its an ok deal in my opinion.

First off nothing is free in trucking. At a truckstop to get a free shower you have to buy 50 gallons of fuel. If you go with a contract and bail you will have to pay that money back at a jacked up rate. Some people have no choice but to go with a contract. However it will put you under the thumb. Somebody will own you. That being said I have always told people if you can not afford the school to begin with how will you be able to afford it in three months when you have been making about 200 bucks a week? Some will want the money as soon as you bail. Myself I do not like to be chained to a truck. If I want to leave a company I do not want to worry about the fallout.

Most training companies will offer tuition reimbursement anyway. If you bail they just won't pay your debt off. Bail on a contract then you have to worry about how you will come up with the money with no job. Just my 2 cents.

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If ther was any way possible, I would pay for my own training, rather than be binded by a contract with a trucking company. Might be a good company for the first few months, then you might find yourself with a new dispatcher that has absolutely no clue what he/she is doing.

Like Notarps said, many companies will reimburse the cost of your school once you hire on and work for them for a certain amount of time.

If you don't have the upfront cash, try to get a loan.

If you simply can't pay for it though, and a loan isn't an option, then by all means let the company pay for it. Just do plenty research and try your best to pick the best company.

Also check to see if you qualify for any kind of grants from your State.

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My childhood dream of becoming a truck driver turned into a nightmare!