College or truck driving schook

Discussion in 'Trucking Schools and CDL Training Forum' started by keith900629, Jul 15, 2013.

  1. keith900629

    keith900629 Light Load Member

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    Jun 23, 2012
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    Effective July 1 my local college has raised tuition to $1,800. My local truck driving school is $2,500. The school is 4 weeks vs. 2 months for the college. Since the price is so close I am trying to figure out if I will get better training in the college class since it is longer or just do the quicker school class.
     
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  3. MNdriver

    MNdriver Road Train Member

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    get it done cheaper and faster.....
     
  4. scarface2200

    scarface2200 Light Load Member

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    Doesnt matter all either one will be doing is showing you how to get license nothing more take the 4wks it will ge t u out otr faster.

    All schools teach is pretrip and basic driving skills just enough to pass your mentor with a company will teach u everything else you need to know.

    Hell if u go with a company that pays for school do it if u stay 2yrs some a yr they return the school money they deduct
    from your checks and if u.plan onn going local you wl need no less than 1yr exp anyways. Stay the time the company says then leave or if u like stick around
     
  5. newbietrucker007

    newbietrucker007 Medium Load Member

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    Plus some companies will pay you during training with a mentor. Even that you will also be paid during that time as well.
     
  6. jerry123

    jerry123 Light Load Member

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    Feb 15, 2011
    Holland, Tx.
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    Not True, there maybe a difference between the two curriculum's. Myself, I've taught at both. A problem for the student exists within a subtle difference. Without more knowledge, Try the longer course. A shorter course the school maybe teaching an abridged backing method. Sample: one school teaches how to setup or move the tractor trailer into position to start the dock backing exercise. The second school, quicker course, they may show the same backing exercise without the "setup", they move the tractor trailer into position for you, then you simple learn the alley dock backing. (they'll state, you'll learn the rest out in "real-world" or by your Company Trainer.) Don't get so fired up with the idea I need to start my driving career yesterday. Knowing how-to drive safely...takes practice.
     
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  7. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    jerry123 makes some valid points.
    Not all, but many trucking companies require a new CDL grad. to have completed a 160 hr. course.
     
  8. SpiritCDL

    SpiritCDL Light Load Member

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    Jan 31, 2012
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    Yes, it's great to get started as soon as possible BUT the more driving time you receive behind the wheel the more confidence you'll have on the road. Sometimes a longer program has more classroom time, sometimes a longer program has more driving time. You want to attend the program that has the most behind-the-wheel time. Compare the schools, price is just a number when it comes to quality training. The things you want to compare are drive time, the experience of the instructors, how many people get placed when they graduate and where do they get placed when they graduate. These are the important things that differentiate schools.
     
  9. RickG

    RickG Road Train Member

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    And what are the pay and benefits at these carriers vs the carriers accepting graduates from the shorter course?
     
  10. MNdriver

    MNdriver Road Train Member

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    Truck driving is an ojt apprenticeship job. Once you get a CDL, it doesn't matter how long your school was. All any of them teach is how to get your license.
     
  11. OFTOTR

    OFTOTR Medium Load Member

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    See which companies the local college seems to have a relationship with, who hires graduates. You also want to check with various carriers you think you may want to work with to see if they accept graduates from both schools.

    I'd go with the longer school if everything else is equal.

    There are some for profit truck driving schools that are virtually worthless.

    $2500 sounds cheap.
     
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