What is the best way to go about getting a Class A?

You will never get hired by a company without some type of formal schooling. My feedback for your so called "CDL Lease programs" is it is as good as garbage to a truck company.

 

So are you pushing more toward company sponsored training? Lots of companies will still treat you and probably make you go through their school if you did the rent a truck to get your licence thing. If you are good and being treated like crap for a year or so or until you get enough experience you can go elsewhere. Save your money and go the company sponsored route. Swift, Prime and Stevens are a few. I'll shy away from England and CRST. Even though England's equipment is pretty top notch.

 

It depends if your willing to sign a contract. If your not, then go to at least a 160 hour independent school. If you will sign a contract then you'll go to the companies school.

Whatever you choose make sure your driving a stick.

 

It depends on what company you are interested in. For example, Crete Carrier will only hire students from their list of approved schools.

 

Yes they care, There going to ask you for a copy of your certification. If you stick with a reputable school you should have no problems.

 

I have no experience with them but I would suggest starting a new post in regards to what company schools are best. You also need to look at the other variables as well such as what your trinaing pay will be, after school how long youll be out with a trainer for, what mileage pay youll make etc...

You really need to do some research on what questions you need to be asking.

Worry about getting you A first and foremost, just take it one step at a time.

 

If you do try to rent a truck yourself after obtaining the permit you will still need to be trained on how to do the maneuvers at the test site, as well as driving the truck itself, upshifting, downshifting, city and highway driving. Not to mention not to many companies will hire you unless you have at least 160+ hours from an accredited school.
Dont forget you need a class a driver with a current DOT medical card to drive the rented truck to the site.
Good luck with whatever you choose