So you want to be a truck driver and you need to figure out how and where to get your CDL A license. What factors are important when you are choosing a truck driving school? Let’s take a look.
Your CDL training in Spokane is a critical step for your future. Choosing the right place for you to acquire this training is one of the biggest decisions you will make on your way to a career as an over the road truck driver. So what are your considerations?
How important is the location? That depends on you, but you might have to move to find the right school. If you live in a rural area it might be harder and you might have to move to the city. Or you may only have one school nearby to choose. Most cities have numerous truck driving schools. Under those circumstances, if you only have one choice you might have to either move or make a long commute daily. If you keep your day job then you would have to commute every night. Consider how this will impact your learning abilities.
Who are the instructors and what is the ratio of instructors to students? This information will tell you a lot about the school.
You can go to a private school or a school-owned or sponsored by a truck company. A private school should have someone to assist you in getting any financial aid you are eligible for – grants, scholarships, loans. The trucking company schools will have your tuition paid for by the company but you will have to work for that company when you are finished with school.
When you factor cost and look at your finances keep in mind several things. In addition to the cost of the school – factor in the cost of your commute, parking permits, gasoline for a 5 day a week 4-week commute and any additional supplies you might need like pads, pens, etc. You will also have to pay for the DOT required physical and drug testing.
If you go to school-sponsored by a truck company you will have a contract to work for them for a certain period of time, as they are paying for your schooling. Be sure that you can live on the salary they will pay you when you are licensed.
What kind of reputation does the school have? What kind of reviews and testimonials can you find? If they have a website what is it like. The website is a window to the school. Is it clean and concise or is it messy? Is navigation easy and straight forward or the whole thing messy and hard to follow.
At private schools, you won’t walk into a job when you are finished as you will at a trucking school in Spokane. So you need to know how good the placement office is at that school. What is their placement rate? Do they guarantee placement? Be sure you know.
Take your time, look everything over and then you will be able to make the best possible choice for now and for your future career.