I've read that there are schools that train drivers for +/- $ 700.00.
I keep reading that community colleges have cheaper classes.
I called the school in Lake City, Fl and was told by some female slug that it was Sage and it was $ 4000.00 and did I need financial assistance?

Smelled like the same old CDL mill crap to me.

I'm 57 and wondering if I can get driving.
I used to work on the road and had my living expenses paid. That was the only way I could save money. I'm thinking that I can do the same thing driving OTR. Live out of a cooler and stay out of the resturants.

Schneider and Rohel ?) seem to be likely companies.

Opinions please?

I am currently going to sage and in no way it is a cdl mill they teach you for a long time about everything once in the trucks it is one on one not like the old companies like M T A which was a cdl mill M T A was 1 week classroom 1 week shared manuevers, last week shared on the road driving. I have not ever heard of any 700.00 schools I had to secure 4260.00 for sage but that includes permit,physical,drug screen,background check for hazmat,cdl license,books,etc.
I have not looked at either of the compines that you asked about just had to chime in about you dissing sage they are a P. T. D. I. certified I belive I have the initials right. sage also prefers that you get outside funding they will not get into that. I am planning on living out of a cooler mostly and eating one hot meal at the truckstops or a cheap local chain restaraunt.

It depends how far you want to travel. You have to really look around for the good deals on schools.

CFI has a decent program they run with a few colleges. The last I heard the out of pocket for the student was $1000 + $700 for lodging. Not a bad deal at all considering CFI is picking up the remainder and hiring you. Best to check their hiring area because I know they are not nationwide. I believe the extreme western part of the country is out of their hiring area.

Another is SECC in Lincoln NE. I spoke to them last week and out of state tuition is right around $950. I forgot the exact amount but it was less than a grand, for a 10 week class. There is no lodging included. But, Lincoln is a college town so I doubt finding a room for 10 weeks would be that difficult. Crete hires students from this course.

Bottom line is there are opportunities to get good schooling at good prices. What's nice about both of these schools is, as a rookie, you have the chance to get in with some companies that have good reputations.

If you don't live near either of these it may be a bit of an inconvenience. But, compared to any of the starter companies I think the inconvenience will pay big dividends prett quick.

As far as PTDI certified courses go you would have to call companies you're interested in and ask if they require attendance at a PTDI school.

I'm just about to graduate from a FREE truck driving school. Yeah. I had to get my permit myself, but after that, everything was supplied. The school was started by a Baptist church in a tough part of town called Hunter's Point. After a while, Goodwill Industries picked it up. Then San Francisco City College gave them space in their Evans Street Campus.

They have a brand new simulator ... but most of the work was done in one of Goodwill's Freightliners. There are two instructors and the number of students vary. Some people go through when they have a lot of people and they have to scramble for drive time. I got lucky. There was only two people (a very motivated woman and myself) in my morning class. I got lots of actual drive time. 8 weeks. They don't quit on you. If I failed my test, they'd keep working with me until I passed. [FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']FREE! [/font]

Now ... looking at some other schools, there are things that we may not be getting ... some schools may have a lot more films and in-class curriculum. But we have three books we study out of and we work hard on all the things we need to pass. We work hard on every aspect of the road test, and the G.A.L.E./In Cab Inspection, Safe & Advanced Operating Practices, along with straight-line backing, parallel parking and docking. Most likely the things needed to pass the California DMV test. ('Cept the DMV only test for C.O.L.A.? or something like that ... they leave out one part ... I think it's the Low Air Buzzer/Light - Pop out test.)

Whatever the case, the job of the school is to pass the test, then "learn to drive a truck" after you get your Class A and you're with a team or company trainer. If you want any more info, just hollar.

any school that meets just above the BARE MINIMUM gov. standard and pays enough $$$ can be a "PTDI" school Paid To Do It i say

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tip for new truckers: to err is human, to forgive is not D.O.T. policy.
"i've been working all week, and i'm tired and i dont wanna sleep and i wanna have fun... it's time for a good time!!!!" alan jackson