CDL License – How To Pick A Truck Driving School
CDL license training and truck driving schools are a big business. In theory they are there to give you CDL license education and training so you can become a professional truck driver. Unfortunately because big business means big money there are a few bad characters and a few things to check before you hand over any money.
The three basic types of CDL license and truck driver training schools; we’ll go over each of them in a second but no matter which option you choose make sure that the school is certified by the PTDI – Professional Truck Driving Institute.
These guys are there to ensure certain standards are met or exceeded. To check if the CDL license school you are interested in is certified by the PTDI call (703) 647 7015. With this quick phone call you’ll know right away if you should be dealing with that company or not.
The Three Types of CDL License Training:
- In house training with an established trucking company or carrier. You can get on the job training but often this is in exchange for a long term exclusive contract. You might be stuck working with them for 12 months to pay off your apprenticeship
- Private Truck Driving Schools. Again make sure they are certified. You can get excellent training from these guys but it can be very costly. You need to figure out if that investment is going to be worthwhile.
- Public Truck Driving Schools- This option is usually a lot less expensive than going private. You’ll find this type of training provided by community colleges, vocational training schools. You’ll often get very extensive CDL License training to a high standard often as part of a long term training course. While the quality of training is high you might be without a paycheck for quite some time.
Because of the money involved scams and con artists are showing up all the time. This includes a large number of trucking companies who have discovered a quick way to make some extra money by setting up a “CDL License School”.
Just remember to check they are certified and stick to basic research. Ask for testimonials and talk to people who have trained with them.
Read the fine print in the contract and make sure there are no hidden costs. If you’re training with a trucking firm triple check the terms, how long you may need to be working for them and at what rate and most importantly what penalties exist for early termination.
The goal should be to become the best, and safest, professional truck driver you can be. This sets you up on the road to success. You need the best training to get there.
Do your research and make the best possible choice for success in your truck driving career.
“The Truth About Trucking” is designed to show you which schools are the best value and most importantly, the best truck driver training. Many have benefitted already from this honest and straight forward information.
Please visit the Truth About Trucking to learn how to avoid the scams of the trucking industry and get the very best CDL license training you can.

