| Professional truck driving is a major force in today's | | | | aggravation! |
| economy. Presently, there are over 8 million licensed | | | | The cheapest route to getting your CDL is through a |
| CDL drivers in the United States today. For the | | | | Vo-Tech school! A real, honest college-training |
| thousands of "new" drivers breaking into truck driving, | | | | program that will end up saving you thousands of |
| they find themselves in a tough dilemma: few | | | | dollars, plus offer you much greater training! I would |
| companies will hire you without at least 6 months to a | | | | much rather pay $1200.00 than $5000.00, which is |
| year of driving experience, so how do you get the | | | | what many of the truck driving schools will charge. Of |
| experience once you've achieved your CDL? This is | | | | course, now you are probably asking yourself, "OK, but |
| where the companies come into play. | | | | then how do I get the experience?" That is the easy |
| Many trucking companies offer a "school" that usually | | | | part! |
| lasts around three weeks which will get you your CDL | | | | There are MANY trucking companies that will hire |
| license. After finishing, you will be asked to sign a one | | | | newly CDL graduates. Just check out the hundreds of |
| year contract stating that you will drive for that | | | | ads by companies needing drivers and you will find |
| company, and that company ONLY! Thus, getting your | | | | those that state "students welcome" and "we hire |
| one year of experience. After that, you can go | | | | CDL graduates." |
| anywhere and find truck driving jobs. The problem | | | | Take it from someone who has been there! Save |
| being: this company "school" or any of the many truck | | | | thousands of dollars by not falling for these company |
| driving schools can end up costing you thousands of | | | | "schools." Check around for the nearest Vo-Tech to |
| dollars and MORE! Going through a company CDL | | | | you and see if they are one of the many which offer |
| program is a very dangerous thing in this author's | | | | the professional CDL program. You will still have to |
| opinion. | | | | start at the low end of the pay scale, "pay your dues" |
| If you have no driving experience and are | | | | so to speak...but you will have saved a great deal of |
| contemplating getting your CDL, then you are in a | | | | money by attending the Vo-Tech training, and as your |
| catch 22. After paying as much as $5000.00 through | | | | experience builds, many better opportunities will open |
| one of these company "schools", you will find yourself | | | | up for you! |
| at their mercy: facing low pay, low miles and much | | | | |