Thinking of going to a CDL School?

I know I am just a wannabe/newbie/student but maybe what I have learned so far might help someone who is even newer than me?

I think I did a pretty good job with my original research into this industry (stop laughing you “old timers” ) and I decided that a private school was the best way to go. Obviously my own personal situation had a lot to do with my decision but some of the reasons included:

• I could go to school in the evening or on the weekends and keep my current job
• The school was close to my house so I didn’t need lodging (some of those lodging stories scared me!)
• The fee/cost for the license part was basically the same whether I chose a school or a carrier (more on that later)
• I/Me/Myself would be in control of my early training (no carrier was going to find some loophole to kick me out and leave me still owing them money)
• I would not have to listen to a sales pitch/company talk for 160 hours
• My training would be generalized instead of company specific
• Any mistakes I might make (I said might because ya’ll know I’m perfect) would be between me and my school……. not on my personnel record with my new employer
• If/when I went job hunting (again) I wouldn’t be looking for employment from my training carriers competition
• A private school would let me learn a little bit more about the industry before making a final decision (yep, I’m still in the decision phase)
• I could stay local for training and then look for a local job if I didn’t want to go OTR
• If I chose to go with a large carrier (which I am still leaning toward) I wouldn’t arrive completely incapable of doing anything - and I could get to the real world trainee/team driving faster
• I would not be "chained" to anyone (that is just plain scary in itself)
• I have enough confidence in myself to know I can get my own damn job, I'm not a charity case and I don't need a job "given" to me or guaranteed
• I could play Lets Make A Deal with a private school

I think the major advantage of a private school is that they are not McDonalds or Walmart ....... you CAN make a deal.

I kinda like keeping the money I have...... so I had every intention of paying as little as possible for the school I chose. I did NOT choose a school because it was cheap……. Instead I chose the school I wanted and then went about seeing how I could get the best deal.

How? To start with I emailed around before I signed with any of the schools. I had probably a dozen choices within 100 miles of my home.

I actually used several email addresses so I could get the information I wanted without them knowing what they had already told me. (Let me assure you, they do not always tell the truth)…… to start with I asked how much tuition was if I got a loan and then asked about the loan specifics.

Then I asked how much of a discount I would get for paying cash......... (I had cash and knew I would be paying that way.... but I knew if I told them that up front they would tell me that the “loan” rate was the discounted rate…. and of course, they did ……)

Then to make things more fun I played them off each other……..Instead of saying “What is your cash discount price?” I asked them……. “Do you offer a $2,000 cash discount like Company X?” And, what do you know……… they suddenly did!

I also asked if I could get a discount if I was willing to be put on a “waiting list” and not demand a specific start date…… that way they could use me to “fill” an otherwise empty seat in a class at the last minute…… pretty much a win-win situation there......

It worked for me……… and from what I learned I will tell you this….. PAY CASH.

If you don’t have cash, get a loan…… the schools charge 18% interest, PLUS you loose the $1,000 - $2,000 discount for paying cash…… if anyone can’t do the basic math on that one, you can figure you will basically be paying double the interest they quote you….. even your brother won’t charge you 36% interest!

I don’t know if any of this is important…….. I just started to answer someone else’s post and thought maybe it should be a thread of its own……….

Take it for what it is worth………. Just my .02

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The definition of stupidity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. — Albert Einstein

From one new guy trying to decide to another,

The info on the cash deal is worth $2,000.00, this great to know. You could go to work for Schneider, get their training, and if u could find something better than their 32 cpm they offer then go for that. Many companies will take your loan over or use ur own cash to pay off the training. Right now getting the job could be esaier said than done.

interesting

Good post, StoryTeller!

Nice and clean.

Of course, sometimes it doesn't work. I tried various .. um.. variations before I went to school. None of the schools in my area were interested in cash discounts or the like. The rate was the rate.

Good thing I could use WIA!

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Keep the big doors at the back!

I do realize this process requires that there be competition in the area........ if a school is the only one in your area then they know you are stuck...... so I am sure they are much less/not willing to deal......... around here someone can always go somewhere else........

I will say that it was the large carrier discounts that I used to quote and play off of........ I just said "I could go to Company X and get free lodging and STILL get a cash discount of $........... your best chance is when they have a class starting within days and it is not full........ same logic as Price.com and other hotel discount companies use........ if the space is empty might as well make something off of it.......

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The definition of stupidity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. — Albert Einstein

Thank You for this detailed post

What do you mean by private school? How much did they charge you?

Haven't seen this thread in a while........

I talk a lot...... don't I?

Private schools (or as they are more affectionately called license mills) are Truck Driving Schools......... you see them everywhere..... you pay $3,000 - $8,000 and they teach you enough basics to get your Commerical Drivers License.

Most schools offer programs that are 160 hours. This includes getting your permit, learning all the pre-trip stuff, learning skills (backing, parrallel, docking), and basic driving........ then they take you with their truck to get your license at the state DMV.

Hmmmmmmm..... how to answer that......

I kinda have a like-hate relationship with the school I went to.
But, I would not want anyone to be able to take a post of mine in and say "give me what she got"...... my deal was mine and every situation is different.

I will say that I paid the least of any student I could find...... between $1,000 and $2,000 less than other students paid.... even ones who paid cash.

And oh-my-gawd, the ones who had the loans had not only agreed to pay 18% interest..... they had paid the highest rate as well...... so they got stuck paying the most and then paying interest on the most...... not good.....

I also discovered that every student in my school had paid a different amount....... even the ones who were there on grants and other state programs were charged different amounts. All of those programs paid more than the cash and/or loan price..... no discount for uncle sam.....

As for prices in general, the schools I contacted in my area ranged from $3,500 to $6,000........ (quoted on the phone cash price)

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The definition of stupidity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. — Albert Einstein

why is your photo upside down?

Hmmmmmmm........ my picture is upside down? Are you sure? I don't know, maybe it's your monitor that is upside down? No?
Hey........ actually I'm impressed, you've got further than most of the people around here....... the majority of posters think I am a guy........
Let's put it this way...... if you knew me, it would never even occur to you to ask me why...... does that answer your question?

Now....... on the otherhand....... I see me a drag car above I do believe? Buick?
You might find some amusement in the turn that this thread took a few days ago......

[LINK POSTED BY MEMBER] Only Members Can View This Truck Forum Link.

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The definition of stupidity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. — Albert Einstein