Cost of driving schools?

Because, and this may come as a shock to you, it is not 1994 anymore. The industry has changed. Most companies that hire new drivers have insurance companies that require training at a certified school for new drivers.

 

A lot of companies will not train this way any more do to insurance, still maybe able to find a small company, I learned from my uncle years before I was able to even get licensed, Once I became of age, just studied the CDL book, after receiving the permit,I made the appointment the same day to take a test drive, Guy behind the counter thought I was nuts, But said, OK? used my uncles truck for test drive, ??year but It was a Kenworth with a 5/4 tranny, When the tester got in the truck, he started to laugh and said this is going to be funny, At the end of the test drive, I was the only one laughing

 

The cost varies.I would be looking into a college for truck driving rather then these 3 to 5 week courses.They're way overpriced and the students are undertrained.Because there's very little instructors which means not much backing which many fail the course because they can't back to pass the test.School starts around $4000.00 for like 5 weeks.The cost might even be more.I do know most are a huge rip off.I would do a lot of research before making a committment that's for sure.

 

Some are less than $2000.00 at community colleges.
Some are free through state programs; example Georgia pays using lottery proceeds.

The CDL school I attended cost $750.00 and was 10 days long. Today that wouldn't even get me an interview at a trucking company.

Are the more expensive schools worth it? Well, in some areas there aren't community college programs and those paying more can go right in to a $60K per year job if they get all the endorsements plus TWIC before graduation. I know this is true because I've witnessed it.

 

I did 8 weeks/380hrs at a community college all in for $854 + cost of the physical three years ago.

that's in NC it is a state sponsored program and standardized across several community college campuses across the state. the state picks up some of the cost to the school and that's why it's so affordable for those who attend. only downside is there is no financial assistance for the program and you have to pay upfront.

I still go by the school and talk to the students from time to time and the current cost for the same program is $1200. still very affordable considering the other options out there

 

I got a nice shiny new CDL for $2,200 in 2011, including drug test fees, MVD test fees, and miscellaneous fees. I've heard up to $6,000, but it's certainly worth shopping, even staying in another city. The JC route takes a lot longer, and as we all know, time and money are close friends.

 

Lets see. Got my permit for free, just studying the manual. Rented a truck with an instructor for 3 hours at $65 an hour, so $185. Could not do properly 90 degrees back up. Went and rented uhaul truck with a trailer for a whole day for $70. Spent all day with it at empty Kmart parking lot and by the end end of the day had no trouble backing up.
Then rented school truck for another 3 hours just to make sure I can easily back up with their bigger truck. Paid another $270 for test. So all together it cost me about $700.
Big companies did not want to hire me without 160 hours approved school hours. Went to a guy with a fleet of 5 trucks. He spent a week training me and then I went solo.
Oh and I got my license 4 months ago, not many years ago. School had auto truck, if it was manual, it would take me few more days and more $$ to practice

 

I payed $3500 at a local Tech school recently. I had a class B years ago but let them go during my law enforcement carrier. My main reason was no truck, to get on with a good company or just to be looked at by a good company. Yep it sucked forking out that much money but I had to and felt it would be a smart decision in the long run.