Newbie choices

So do you go to a CDL School Mill, Community College, or Company School?

For you new guys out there considering a career in truck driving I just thought I would help take the stress of choosing a direction in which to obtain a CDL.

Choice 1 is to obtain it on your own by either borrowing or renting a truck or even possibly paying an owner operator to help you obtain your CDL. These days this really isn't a viable option. Unless you already have a job lined up and plan on staying there for the duration of your career. Most insurance providers require you go through some type of accredited schooling or training. This is why most carriers also require you go through an accredited school. The insurance companies for the most part dictate what the companies can and can't do these days. So can it be done? Yes but highly not recommended! If something does happen and you have to switch jobs you will have to start all over again by going through a school or company program.

Choice 2 is to sign up for the standard CDL Mill like Roadmaster or the Truck Driver Institute etc... Nothing wrong with this it is perfectly good training. You will have to put forth a hefty sum of money though ranging anywhere from $2500 - $10,000! You can put down a down payment and if you have good credit they will finance you. There is also government funding like WIA. Another option would be to borrow from a family member or close friend. The good thing about this is that most companies out there will reimburse you for your schooling usually in monthly installments after your 90 day probation period is up. The good thing about most of these legitimate schools is that they check your background and MVR to make sure you will be hireable once you graduate. There are a few crooked ones out there that could care less and just take your money!

Choice 3 would be to sign up with a Mega-Carrier ie: Swift, England, Werner etc... and go through their company schooling. Usually they only require a couple hundred dollars down and this is mainly to cover your licensing costs. They will also provide you with housing while in school because chances are you will not be close to home. You will have to sign a contract stating you will drive for them for "X" amount of days or years until the schooling is paid off. If you breach the contract you will be expected to pay them in full for whatever the said cost of their schooling is. The good thing about company training is that as long as you pass the driving tests you have a job. You won't have to search for a job once you are done your schooling.

Now as far as choice 2 and 3 go there really isn't much difference in the quality of training. Ideally these schools are there to just get you prepared to go with a trainer once you are signed on with a company. You will most likely learn more on day one with your trainer then the three weeks of school you just went through. Real world experience! This is all provided you get a good trainer. While on that note, if you do not get a good trainer or feel as if you aren't being trained properly then you need to speak up and get with a trainer that you feel will train you properly. Happens all the time and companies understand that. So don't be afraid to speak up! Also some people just don't mesh together well so personality conflict can be an issue too. All in all training can be a blast and goes by very quickly so its definitely something to look forward to! Don't be weary or nervous about your upcoming time with the trainer. It really is a good experience and there will be an infinite amount of information to learn while riding together. You can also look at it like a tour guide. Use this time wisely and don't be afraid to ask any questions! I don't care if its July and you want to know how to chain up! Have them not only tell you but show you! Stuff like this is very important because come January you don't want to be on the side of 80 in Wyoming in a blizzard trying to figure out how to untangle frozen chains and then put them on! Especially if your from the south! While on the subject of riding with a trainer, there are some companies that don't send you out with a trainer. This is fine if you have some kind of trucking background and are familiar with the industry. If not I highly do not recommend it. You will find yourself up poo poo creek if something goes wrong! Not to mention you will not be making any kind of money while you are wondering around aimlessly trying to figure everything out! So do yourself a HUGE favor and go with a trainer. It will only benefit you. Well it will probably benefit the other drivers on the road too!

I will try to leave this fairly short so that you new guys will be more apt to read it. If there are any questions post em' and either myself or another forum member I am sure will be glad to answer!

The point of this thread is to take some of the stress out of choosing CDL schooling. This really shouldn't be a major decision in your career path. Your biggest decision should be whether you should be a trucker or not!

Good luck!