If you’re considering a career as a commercial truck driver, you are probably wondering exactly where to start.

The first thing you need is your CDL (commercial driver’s license), which can be obtained several different ways.

One option is to land a job with a trucking company that offers paid CDL training; the other is to obtain your CDL license from an independent truck driver training school.

If you choose the training school option, cost will be the biggest hurdle you’ll face as you invest in your new career. Most truck driving schools cost as much as $8,000, but you will come away with the ability to drive a semi safely, and that is the most important part of being a professional driver.

You can also get your CDL with a trucking company – including companies that run heavy equipment – and that on-the-job training is also an important step toward safe driving, no matter what kind of highway you’re traveling.

There are certain requirements you’ll need to meet, however, before you can obtain your CDL.

What are the requirements to obtain your CDL?

Here’s what’s required in order to qualify for your CDL and subsequent employment:

• A clean driving record with no major violations (such as careless or reckless driving or a speeding ticket for going 15 miles over the limit or more)
• No felonies on a potential criminal record
• The ability to pass your Department of Transportation physical
• The ability to pass a pre-employment drug screen as well as random drug tests after you start working
• You must at this time be 21 years of age or older, although the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (www.fmcsa.dot.gov) is currently discussing lowering the age to 18
• You must have a valid U.S. driver’s license
• You must be a U.S. citizen or have a Green Card
• You must have at least 36 months of solid, verifiable work history
  
  

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Company-sponsored vs. independent training

If you’re wondering whether to choose a company-sponsored truck driving paid school or an independent truck driver training school, we’ve got your pros and cons right here.

Company-sponsored paid CDL training is an alternative to an independent truck driver training school, if you are thinking about getting your CDL and hope to avoid the high cost of tuition that most independent truck driver training schools charge.

Company-paid CDL training programs are available with many of the big motor carrier companies on the road today, which strengthens job security. This option is the least expensive way to obtain your CDL, but you will be obligated to drive for the company for a predetermined period of time. If you obtain your CDL license from an independent truck driving school, you will have the freedom to explore your career options after graduation.

There are several different trucking companies that will pay for your CDL training, with some caveats.

Companies to consider include:

• CRST Trucking School
• C.R. England CDL School
• Knight Transportation
• Prime Trucking School and Prime Trucking Company
• KLLM Trucking School and Company
• FFE Transportation Services
• Roehl Transport
• Schneider Trucking School and Company
• Swift Transportation
• Maverick Transportation
• Werner Enterprises
• USA Truck
• Carter Express
• Pam Transport
• Estes
• XPO Logistics
• Stevens Transport

Find Truck Driving Schools near you:

We’ve created a tool for you to find the truck driving schools near you, click here to check it out.

These trucking companies offer CDL training with a job upon completion of their program. In most cases, you’ll have to sign on for six months to two years with the company after you earn your CDL, but you won’t have to pay for your training unless you leave before your sign-on period is over. (You may even earn a few bucks, making this an even more appealing option.)

How does paid CDL training work?

Paid CDL training or company- sponsored CDL training is an agreement between you and the motor carrier that states you want to learn to drive a truck and they will pay for your training if you work for them for a period of time specified in the agreement after you complete your training.

Many of the largest American trucking companies operate their own truck driver training schools, where you will learn to drive a company truck, get your CDL and land a driving job.

Are there FREE truck driving schools?

While you don’t have to pay tuition up front if you work with a trucking company and the education is marketed as free, the cost of training is in fact deferred, and will be deducted from your pay. Because there is a shortage of professional drivers – and no equal shortage of goods that need to be transported from one place to another – some trucking companies will reimburse training fees if you stay with them for a certain period of time, or they may provide tuition reimbursements on a quarterly basis.

Company-sponsored CDL training programs are probably the most cost-effective way to get a CDL, with the least amount of out-of-pocket money paid to the training school.  However, to determine if this is the best choice for you, you have to take into consideration the lower wages you’ll earn during the first year of your student driver period if the company you choose pays you at all, as well as the lower wages you’ll earn as you pay back the costs associated with your training during the first years with the company. As with all contracts, make sure to understand the terms and conditions before you sign on.

There are definitely advantages and disadvantages to getting company-sponsored CDL training, so let’s take a closer look.

Advantages of company-sponsored truck driving schools

To recap, there are some real advantages to choosing a company-sponsored training program to obtain your CDL, especially if you don’t have much cash to spare.

• There are low to no upfront costs to obtain your CDL training
• You are guaranteed a truck driving job after training, which is a major advantage. It can be difficult to land a professional driving job without experience, as companies prefer hiring experienced drivers who are familiar with being on the road. That makes it trickier for drivers who attended a private school.
• In most cases, you’ll be paid while training.

Disadvantages of company-sponsored truck driving schools

While the advantages make choosing a company-sponsored program seem ideal, there are some disadvantages that need to be considered.

• Training might be out of state. Trucking companies can have many nationwide locations, but that may not translate to many schools for new drivers. Yours may be far away from where you live, potentially creating an inconvenience for you and your family.
• Expenses could add up. While some schools cover accommodations and meals during training, others may not. Do your research so that you don’t find yourself with unexpected bills.
• Contractual obligation. When you complete training, you will be required to work for the trucking company for a specified period of time, which could be a problem if it turns out you’re not a good fit. If you leave before you fulfill that contract, you’ll be legally obligated to pay back the remaining cost of your training.

If you choose to go with company-sponsored training, please let us know which company you chose to launch your truck driving career! We’d love to hear from you, and can be reached via email at [email protected].

Independent Truck Driving Schools

There are numerous independent truck driving training schools nationwide, and while most cost around $3,000, there are several different programs you can choose from.

Most offer an opportunity to fast-track your career by wrapping up a 160-week course in as little as four weeks.

An accelerated program such as this will include:

• 40 hours of classroom training
• 120 hours of driving experience beginning at the school with observed time and yard driving experience followed by time behind the wheel on a variety of local streets and highways so you become comfortable driving a big rig or a smaller truck.

Some schools also offer a 40-hour refresher course, required if you don’t land a job within two months of graduating or you spend more than 12 months off the road without using your CDLs.

To find a school near you, click here! We’ve made a tool just for that purpose.

As with the company-sponsored driver training, there are pros and cons to independent schools.

Advantages of independent truck driving schools

• Most schools are local, so there are no travel costs, no need for booking accommodations and no need for a food budget. If there isn’t a school in your city or town, most likely there will be a school in the closest big city.
• Independent schools allow you to customize your options, so you can choose daytime classes or nights and weekends, allowing you to continue working while going to school.
• Trucking company recruiters will make on-site visits, so you could have several companies to choose from when you finish school.

Disadvantages of independent truck driving schools

• Schools require upfront fees, and you may not qualify for financial assistance
• If you don’t have a job, you will have to plan for the period of time when you won’t have an income while you’re in school.
• While company-sponsored training ensures immediate employment after you obtain your CDL, an independent school requires you to job hunt on your own after you graduate.

Training is not your only choice: Automatic vs. standard transmission

While there once was a time when all of us could drive vehicles with either standard or automatic transmission, those times have changed, since fewer vehicles and some big rigs are only available with automatic transmission.

Sure, automatic is easier, but if you train and test with an automatic truck, you will only be able to drive automatic trucks, and your CDL will have an “automatic restriction” on it.

That can be seriously discouraging if you find the ideal company for you, and the only trucks they own have manual transmissions. While you can have your “automatic restriction” removed by taking another road test with a manual transmission truck, starting with a manual transmission will save you the headache, so check into the schools you’re considering to see which type of truck they use for training purposes.

Once you’ve earned your CDL, what happens?

After you’ve passed your CDL exam and find your first truck driving job, most companies will require you to drive with a driver trainer, which is a great way to get valuable experience on the road. Your trainer will be able to answer questions and show you how to handle real-life situations, including how to successfully navigate tight turns on roads not necessarily designed for large trucks. Usually, these experiences are a great way to kick off a successful career, but your personality may not mesh with your trainer, or your trainer may not be as passionate about driving as he or she should be, and instead are financially motivated to take on the position. If you’re lucky, your driver trainer will have a huge passion to pass along their knowledge and experiences, which will provide you with countless benefits.

When looking for companies that offer training, be certain to check out the details of the training program:

• Try to choose a company that does the kind of trucking work you are interested in, such as
  • Flat Bed
  • Van
  • Bulk
  • Reefer
• Thoroughly review all details, including how long the training will be and how much you can expect to be paid, not only during training, but also after when you have your CDL and are a professional driver.
• Make sure the average miles per week you’ll be driving suit your needs, both personally and financially.
• Determine home times, detention pay, and whether or not your routes will be drop and hook.
• Talk to some current drivers at truck stops for details about your preferred company and others.
• Find out the lanes that the company runs (long-haul, regional, dedicated).
• Know the equipment that you will be driving (the age, transmission, APU, driver comforts, etc.). An aging, uncomfortable truck will make your job more of a nightmare than a joy.

By choosing a company that does the kind of work you are interested in, you’ll be happier and less stressed, which means you’ll also be healthier, since stress can do plenty of unseen damage.

More to know

Are there options to pay for my CDL training?

There are numerous options including state and federal grants, personal loans, scholarships, and free company-sponsored CDL training.

Will a Pell Grant pay for truck driver training?

Yes, in many cases you can use a Pell Grant to pay for CDL training.

Are there unemployment grants for CDL training?

Yes, many grants and job transition programs are available from your state for those who’ve lost jobs.

How can I get financial assistance for truck driving school?

Financial assistance for truck driving school can be obtained through both state and federal government agencies.

Are there loans for CDL training?

Yes, loans from both government agencies and private lenders are available for CDL training.

How much is Class A CDL training?

Class A CDL training generally ranges from $4,000 to $7,000.

What is paid CDL training?

Paid CDL training, or company-sponsored CDL training, is when a trucking company operates its own school and pays students while they’re training.

How long is CDL trucking school?

CDL training schools generally last between 4 to 8 weeks, including on-site classroom time and mentored on-the-road training.

Interested in getting your CDL? Click here to find the schools near you.