| Finding the right truck driving school can be quite a | | | | Alexandria, Virginia. Certification is voluntary and a |
| challenge for the newcomer. What questions should | | | | truck driving school is not required to be certified by |
| you ask and what should you be looking for in a truck | | | | PTDI. Therefore, keep in mind, that just because a |
| driving school? Making the right choice can either make | | | | school is not PTDI certified, does not mean they are a |
| or break your career before you even get started. | | | | "bad" school. Never the less, being PTDI certified only |
| Before you hand over thousands of dollars for CDL | | | | further justifies a school's reputation. |
| training, let's look at some important factors to | | | | Important questions to ask before signing on with a |
| consider. | | | | truck driving school are: |
| First, is the school licensed by the State? Is it | | | | |
| Accredited and more importantly, is it Certified? To | | | | 1. How much is it going to cost? On the average, CDL |
| understand these factors you must understand what | | | | training should cost between $2500.00 to $4500.00 |
| each of these terms represent. | | | | 2. What is the student to truck ratio? The lower the |
| A State business license shows that the business in | | | | number, the better! |
| question has filed and paid the appropriate fees, and | | | | 3. What is the student to instructor ratio? Again, the |
| have met the guidelines set forth by the State, which | | | | lower the number, the better. |
| allows them to legally operate that business within the | | | | 4. Will there be any "observation" time? This is a total |
| State they reside. | | | | waste of time and money. |
| Accreditation refers to schools that have been | | | | 5. Is there an offer for job placement assistance after |
| accredited by an agency that has been approved by | | | | completing the course? |
| the U.S. Department of Education. Only truck driving | | | | 6. What if the trucking company I'm placed with treats |
| schools that have been accredited are entitled to have | | | | me badly...is there further assistance? |
| access to federal student grants and loans. There are | | | | 7. If I fail the CDL test, is there a money-back |
| very few truck driving schools that have achieved | | | | guarantee? |
| accreditation because of the tough standards and the | | | | 8. What is the maximum amount that I will be |
| expensive process. A truck driving school that has | | | | responsible for in payment? |
| been accredited, shows that they have met the | | | | Remember, ask anything and everything BEFORE you |
| highest standards for education. | | | | sign the paper work. Also, take the contract home and |
| Certification, on the other hand, pertains to a truck | | | | read every word, very carefully. If something is unclear, |
| driving school that has met the training standards set | | | | ask someone outside of the school. Be certain that |
| forth by the trucking industry. Certification shows that | | | | you understand everything within the contract before |
| an independent third party, unrelated to the truck driving | | | | signing. Once signed, you will be held responsible. |
| school, has inspected the school and has officially | | | | There are many good, reputable truck driving schools |
| "certified" that the training offered to the students have | | | | across the nation. Do your homework, make sure they |
| met the basic skills required to be a truck driver within | | | | are licensed, accredited and if possible, PTDI certified. |
| the entry level. PTDI is the only organization that | | | | Know your rights and understand the contract before |
| currently certifies truck driving schools. PTDI | | | | you sign up for the truck driving school. |
| (Professional Truck Driver Institute) is based out of | | | | |