| Private trucking schools are not associated with any | | | | Be sure to ask the school what their policy is if you |
| particular trucking company. They are run | | | | don't pass the driving portion of the test for your CDL |
| independently so students upon graduation can choose | | | | the first time. A reputable school will continue to work |
| to go anywhere they would like. The schools range in | | | | with you for a short period of time to allow you the |
| price generally from $2000-$5000 and can take | | | | extra practice you need. They can't guarantee you'll |
| anywhere from 3 weeks to 8 weeks to complete for | | | | pass it, but they will continue to help you for some time. |
| your Class A CDL license. It would take less time and | | | | Also, most good schools have a job placement |
| money if you only wanted a Class B but I strongly | | | | program. There is a HUGE demand for drivers |
| suggest you avoid going that route. You are not only | | | | nationwide and their job placement department will |
| embarking on a new job, it's a new career. | | | | have a long list of companies willing to hire you the day |
| By only getting your Class B license you are severely | | | | you graduate. You can tell them the type of job you |
| limiting yourself not only with regard to the number of | | | | are looking for and they will have several choices for |
| jobs available to you but the amount of money you | | | | you. Believe me, getting a job coming out of school is |
| can make. It only costs a little more money and takes | | | | very, very easy. But getting the right job for you at the |
| a little bit more time to get your Class A and believe | | | | right company will be much more likely if you have |
| me you won't regret it. Almost anyone I have ever | | | | some experienced help with good contacts. |
| talked to with a Class B had plans for getting their | | | | Many schools will also offer financial aid. The money |
| Class A, but I've never once talked to anyone that | | | | you are required to put up front is sometimes a big |
| wished they had only gotten their Class B. Nobody. Go | | | | limiting factor on what type of school you can attend. |
| for your Class A. | | | | Offering financial aid can open up your opportunities. |
| Many of the better private schools will have a wide | | | | Find out how long it will be before you are required to |
| range of training including several weeks of practice at | | | | begin making payments after graduation. Most schools |
| backing up the truck, classroom coverage of | | | | will allow you 3-6 months before you start making |
| everything from log books to maps and routing to air | | | | payments. |
| brakes and vehicle inspection. They will also have | | | | The advantage to attending a private truck driving |
| several weeks of training out on the local roadways. | | | | school is that the training is general for the industry, not |
| Make sure they will give you the necessary training to | | | | specific to one company. Therefore it will apply no |
| get ALL of your endorsements including hazmat, | | | | matter where you choose to work and will not be |
| tankers, doubles and triples, and people (buses). Make | | | | geared toward any one company's particular |
| sure you get ALL of these. It only requires a very | | | | equipment or agenda. |
| short written test and can also severely limit your job | | | | The disadvantage is that it may cost you more money |
| opportunities if you leave them out. | | | | up front if you aren't eligible for financial aid. |