This article was last updated Sunday, January 29, 2012
When looking for a truck driving school, there are many options available to learn to drive a semi truck and learn the materials necessary to pass both the driving and written tests to get your CDL. However, you need to look into the qualifications of any driver training facility to be sure it offers a quality program that teaches all the valuable and necessary skills to become a truck driver. Without sufficient training, it can be very dangerous to put a new trainee right into the driver's seat, which is why so many carriers look for more experienced drivers or offer training and/or apprenticeships for new hires that have only just obtained their CDL license. Attending a quality driving school recognized by carriers will only increaswe your chances of getting hired in the first place.
Of course, particularly in todays economy, you must also consider the cost and find a program that is affordable and within your budget. Here again. it is important to look for a quality truck driving school since many accredited training programs, though possibly more expensive, will offer financial aid and/or payment plans to assist you in covering the cost of attendance. In some cases, a carrier will pay for your truck driver training, but look closely at what you have to give in return. Usually, you would have to sign an agreement to work for them for a specific amount of time, often one to two years, or repay the cost of the training over time. Still, this can be a small price to pay to get a free start toward a truck driving career.
Don't be fooled by truck driving schools that claim they can fully train you in just a few weeks. There is a lot to learn to safely operate a tractor-trailer and the length of the driver training program can be very improtant to prospective employers. There is no need to hurry and you definitley don’t want to be on the road before you are ready. Ideally, you should look for a program that is at least four weeks long. Ask specifically about the information that will be covered and also about class size to make sure you will get the one on one attention you need to succeed. Above all, ask about the qualifications of the instructors since the more hands on experience they have, the more they can share with and teach to you.
Like most things today, the web is the best place to find information on driver training programs. In fact, there are even truck driving school sites that allow you to request information from several schools in your area with one application, much like the truck driving job sites do. Look for testimonials or reviews from past students and also check for any complaints about a particular school with the Better Business Bureau or other online and offline entities.
Once you decide on a truck driving school, get the specific guidelines and applications you need to enroll. Be aware of any deadlines for the current term, especially when applying for financial aid, and get all the applications and necessary verifications in on time.
Remember, you are training for a new career that can be very rewarding and last a lifetime. Don't let yourself be short changed by a lower quality trucking school. You want to get a strong foundation in all truck driving skills including the operation of a semi truck, rules of the road, safety regulations and at least basic paperwork procedures so that you are an excellent candidate for the trucking companies to hire and to ensure your success for years to come.