Pay for your own CDL training or go through a companies training?

So pick a company you want to work for that hires newbies, if that applies to you. My point is there is no reason to get a CDL if you can't find a good place to work. 99% of the wannabees start CDL school, which starts the countdown to loan repayment thinking they will have time to find a company, process all of their options, and when it doesn't work like that they join CRST, SWIFT, WESTETN EXPRESS because those companies sent a recruiter to school. They ignore advice about companies because they think changing jobs everytime they see a wed ad is the path to CDL Heaven.

Talk/email with drivers at that company before making a decision.

 

Too many tech schools and local partnerships with labor depts out there. Honestly I see no real need to be out of pocket for a CDL. Again I might well be a minority of one, but I think sometimes people need to think before they act on impulse. You can get that CDL and not sign away a year of your life and still not bust the bank in a lot of circumstances IF YOU just take the time to open your eyes and look around. Please don't make snap decisions about these schools until you have looked at ALL the available options out there!

 

If you are unemployed, or under employed they options are wide. If you make a good living it gets tougher. You could take a loan out and pay back with interest or if you have the $$ and have a reputable school then I feel that is a good option. There are some grants available all dependent. Of course everyones situation is different.

 

The thrust of my comment was directed to MORE then just the unemployed or underemployed. There are hundreds if not thousands of Tech schools offering driver training. These courses last I heard don't come with costs like just a truck driving school will. I know several that do this and know some of the staff. A CDL from a tech school is just as good as one from a carrier's financed school. PLUS most of these Tech schools have good job placement histories. I know tech schools are not available to every person. I'm just trying to say check out ALL these possible options before you sign a year of your life away of spend 4 or 5 grand needlessly.

 

Understood and absolutely agree