TRUCKING SCHOOL GUIDE |
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Orientation So You Want To Be A Trucker? Most likely you've found this site because you're looking for a change of pace. Perhaps the economy is slow and you're looking for a job that's both still in high demand and pays well ($35,000 to $50,000 entry level). Perhaps you're stuck in a rural area with no nearby jobs and you don't have the means or The good news is that you're in luck. A career in the trucking industry offers all of these things and more. What's more, there's no experience required and virtually anyone over 21 can do it. Many trucking companies even have programs available that will pay for your schooling. It all sounds pretty good, you're probably saying. So how do you get started? Well, that's the easy part. All it takes is a few legal qualifications and some dedication to begin a new career over the road. The first step to becoming a CMV (commerical motor vehicle) semi tractor-trailer driver is to obtain your Class A CDL (commerical driver's license) license. This is required to operate any combination of vehicles with a GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) of 26,001 pounds or more, provided that the vehicle(s) being pulled weighs 10,000 pounds or more. CDL Qualifications:
CDL Training/Trucking School Overview In truck driving school you'll learn how to operate and maintain a tractor-trailer (18 wheeler) so that you can pass your CDL test (which is rigorous) and obtain a class A CDL license. By exploring this site you'll find links to many truck driving schools offering CDL courses. A typical CDL curriculum covers general truck knowledge such as air brakes, combination vehicles, doubles and triples, dry vans, tank trucks, flatbeds, reefer units, trucking terminology and hazardous materials. The following tractor-trailer topics will also be covered: CDL Curriculum
Location With so many schools out there actively recruiting, it can be overwhelming trying to decipher which one is right for you. Most likely, location will be your determining factor. You'll probably want to choose one that is close to home so that you can commute, or at least get back home on the weekends without much effort. This option is generally the cheapest. If you don't mind traveling, there are tons of trucking schools all over the country anxiously waiting to enroll you. Most offer hotel lodging as part of the tuition, as well as transportation to and from school. Some less expensive schools utilize dormitory style facilities. Here you'll want to make sure the dorms aren't substandard, as there have been reported cases of such facilities being unsuitable for residence, however temporary. Length Of CDL Training If you've been out of work for a while, or are anxious to trade in your routine nine to five for a CDL that'll enable you to become your own boss and start making the big bucks, you'll probably be tempted by the cheap and convenient CDL "packages" that are floating around out there. Such schools or programs promise to get you on the road in as little as two weeks, some even as fast as 10 days. Don't be lured in by these claims. It's true that you can earn your CDL fast with these programs. But that's the problem. Learning how to safely drive a forty ton 18 wheeler with up to thirteen gears and cheese grater blind spots simply can't be done in two weeks without cutting critical corners. Even three is a stretch, especially with a poor instructor to student ratio. Quickie CDL schools are negatively referred to as "CDL mills" in the trucking industry. Such "cattle chute" schools are usually ran by chronically short-staffed trucking companies. Desperate to fill seats, they jam you in the chute, brand you with your certificate, then turn you loose. The way they see it, the main driving skills you'll need can be picked up on the road. Never mind the fact that if you clip that pretty gold Mercedes while inching around it in the alley, it's your salary and/or license that could get crumpled. A quality driving school, on the other hand--one focused on you and the higher salary you can make with a safe, responsible driving record--will invest four to six weeks in your training, ensuring you've mastered your lessons before moving on. The Professional Truck Driving Institute--considered by most trucking organizations to be the top authority on school quality--recommends a minimum of 148 hours of training per student, with at least 44 of those hours spent actually behind the wheel (not just in the cab). Make no mistake, the first time you have to navigate through downtown Chicago during rush hour, you'll be glad you went with this choice instead of a ramrodder CDL mill. Behind-The-Wheel Time When considering a trucking school, the most important thing to consider is an institution that offers decent behind-the-wheel time in conjunction with its academic portfolio. Many schools boast 40 or more hours of behind-the-wheel time. But what they don't tell you is that a good portion of those hours will be spent sitting "second seat" or in the back of the cab observing other students drive. While you're technically behind-the-wheel (albeit three feet), this isn't hands-on-the-wheel time, which is absolutely essential. Remember, you're paying for driving school. A good rule of thumb is to select a school that offers an instructor ratio of one to two or, ideally, one to one for driving time. Don't be afraid to get it in writing. School Equipment And Facilites Another thing to look for in a trucking school is the quality and conditions of the training equipment--or indeed the existence of it. Visual aids are very important in understanding the mechanics of a tractor-trailer. Good schools will offer models of trucking parts and equipment for you to study in the classroom, as well as books, videos and reference manuals. Some even offer driving and shifting simulators, the former of which are highly expensive and considered perks. You'll also want to ask about the condition and age of the trucks you'll be operating. 18 wheelers are mega-expensive, so it's unrealistic to expect a school to have a fleet of brand new trucks waiting for you to hit curbs with and grind away gears on. But you should at least expect your candidate school to use well-maintained tractor-trailers no older than five or so years for lot maneuvering exercises. For public road training, it should have at least one truck that is less than five years old. This ensures you'll have experience with a truck comparable to those actually used by trucking companies. Also important regarding the driving portion of your CDL training is the area where you'll be maneuvering the trucks. This area should be spacious, at least half an acre per vehicle. The surface is somewhat trivial, so long as it is level, well lit in the event of night driving, and closed off to the public. Obviously, in the winter snow and ice should be cleared. But room is most important. To synchronize yourself with an 18 wheeler, you'll need plenty of room to test its limitiations and capabilities. Certification, Licensing And Accreditation Is there any way to tell if a trucking school is both legitimate and reputable at a glance, without having to go through the rigamarole of high scrutiny? The answer is yes. You might think that if a school is licensed by the powers that be, it has to be a good school. But you'd be wrong. Licensure is simply the basic validation a trucking school must have in order to train drivers in a manner that officially satisifies the DOT. Certification is different. If a trucking school is certified, it means that a respected third party trucking authority has gone through it with a fine-toothed comb and found it to meet or exceed the trucking industry's highest standards. Such certification is performed by the Professional Truck Driver Institute in Virginia. In the trucking world, if a school is PTDI certified, it is credible by default. If PTDI certification is a measure of the highest quality, then what is accreditation? Well, simply put, accreditation is even higher. If a certified school were to be graded for quality, it would receive a 3.5 GPA. An accredited school would receive a 4.0. The primary difference between a certified school and a certified and accredited school is that the latter also has the advantage of offering financial aid to students. They are granted this privilege by the Department of Education after a strict and expensive evaluation process to determine merit. The process is so arduous, in fact, that only a few trucking schools receive accreditation. For perspective students who can't afford schooling, an accredited school with financial aid is the best solution. If financing isn't an issue, any certified CDL school will do. However, just because a school isn't certified, doesn't mean it should be automatically overlooked. Many still offer great programs (often at a lower cost, as well), but simply come up a few points short of certification. Job Placement Services A final thing to consider when selecting a CDL school, is the issue of job placement. This issue need only concern you if you are going to be paying for your own schooling as opposed to company sponsorship (main article below). Most schools will offer assistance in finding you a trucking company to work for after graduation. Plenty of information on this topic should be at your disposal. Those that don't offer assistance should be viewed scrupulously, as this is often an indicator of their attention to you. Generally, it's a good idea to research trucking companies before you even start school. This way you can review company profiles, pay rates, benefits, and whether or not they even hire drivers from your area. Many carriers serve only a specific region and won't hire you if you reside outside their boundaries. This is because one of their objectives is getting their drivers home as easy as possible. But another reason to review companies is to make sure they approve of your school choice. If you find a company you really like, they might have their own recommendations for schools you should attend. Sometimes companies are more apt to consider recruits from these institutions. Of course, this is just food for thought, as most companies will accept recruits from almost any certified or accredited trucking school. The good news about most CDL schools is that larger truck driving companies will often post their own recruiting officers there to apprise students of the benefits of working for them. Such representatives are happy to advise about financing options, pay rates and benefits, employment policies and more. Just remember that they aren't the only companies out there. Before picking a school, it might be a good idea to ask for a list of truck driving companies that they work with. If the company you have in mind is on that list, good. If not, you might want to contact the company beforehand and check their policy of hiring drivers from that particular school. Chances are they won't have a problem with the school, but better to be safe than sorry, especially when plunking down a fat wad of cash. Trucking School Financing And now down to the grisly details. The price tag. The advantages of being a truck driver are many. At the top of that list is the paycheck. First year semi-truck drivers make $35,000 to $50,000 depending on the carrier. (Drivers for TransAm Trucking, for instance, make $46,000 their first year, according to their website). That's not bad for an entry level job with no prior experience and only a month's worth of schooling. So what's the catch? Well, the catch is that CDL training isn't free. Someone always pays for it, whether it be you, Uncle Sam, or the trucking company you sign up to work for. The good news is, there are options in the trucking industry that don't exist in other careers. Firstly, let's have a look at the commitment involved. Truck driving school cost is determined by many variables. Among these are school certification, location, length of training, equipment and facilities available, inclusives such as transportation, food, lodging, books, DOT and CDL fees, doctor fees, etc. These all play a part in determining equity of price. By and large, for basic tuition at a certified school to which you will commute, you can expect to pay a minimum of $2,900. Should you choose to relocate to attend school, you'll likely pay between $3,500 and $7,000, whether you purchase an all-inclusive package or not. These figures, of course, are just estimates. There are two basic ways you can finance your truck driving schooling. Option one is to is to agree to work for a trucking company that will sponsor the total cost of your schooling. Option two is to simply pay for your schooling on your own. Both of these have pros and cons. Let's take a look at them. Option One: Company Sponsored Training For those who don't have a spare five grand lying around, this option offers a reasonable alternative to getting your foot in the door. Given the fact that truck drivers are generally in short supply, many carriers these days are willing to foot the bill for those interested in starting a trucking career. In return, such carriers will require you to sign a contract wherein you agree to drive for them for a certain period of time. This is generally twelve months, though some carriers require two years. The advantages of this option are obvious: schooling is either partially or totally paid for, depending on the sponsorship structure. Sometimes companies will only pay a certain amount of the cost, (though it is usually the vast majority) requiring the student to pay the remaining balance, usually deducted from their paychecks. The major benefit here is that you will not have to come up with any money whatsoever to become a truck driver. Not only that, you'll make more money your first year since you won't have loan payments to make. It is the option most commonly undertaken by new truck drivers. Unfortunately there are a few strings attached. Firstly, you'll be required to work for the same company for the contract period, no matter what. If it doesn't work out or you decide to take a better job with another carrier (a not uncommon occurrence), you'll be required to pay back all your schooling costs. And fasten your seatbelt, because you could be going for a ride. Since you attended the company's school, what they decide to bill is pretty much at their discretion. In extreme cases, students have been made to pay upwards of $7,000. Secondly, if you enter into a sponsorship agreement but for whatever reason don't finish CDL school, you'll also have to pay back the company for the time you attended. This happens to many students. Not only do they have to pay an indeterminate fee, but they leave school with nothing to show for it. Thirdly, taking the company sponsored option means attending the company's school. This school may or may not be certified, which is a scary proposition. You could find yourself with a CDL plopped in your lap after only ten days, which can't possibly provide the time necessary to master truck driving skills. Like it or not (and ready or not) you'll have to start driving when they say, or face defaulting. Fourthly, there's the issue of lumping. A "lumper" in the trucking industry is a driver who also loads and unloads cargo when necessary. Company sponsored drivers are often required to work as a lumper to pay back their schooling costs. You might think that that isn't what you signed up for, but many drivers discover that that is exactly what they did. The bottom line with the company sponsored option is that you can get your training paid for if you're willing to make a few concessions. It's a great option pursued by many new drivers with little or no money to lay down. After a year or so of driving, you'll be a "free agent", able to work for whoever you want. Just be sure you're dedicated to becoming a truck driver when you select this option, because backing out can be very costly. Option Two: Paying For School Yourself This option should really be listed as option one, since it is by and large the best choice if you can afford it. But the reality is that most can't. At least not without some sort of assistance. This is where the accredited schools come in. If you choose one of these schools, you can apply for financial aid to help cover the costs of school. Grants are also available, such as the Pell Grant. There are also many government job training programs available offering funds for those with lower incomes. Of course, borrowers with good credit may also consider traditional loans such as a Wells Fargo College loan to pay for schooling. The main advantage of paying for trucking school yourself is that you can choose who you drive for. You're not bound to any contracts or requirements. If you decide to work for somebody else instead, no hard feelings. Also, you can choose your own school, which guarantees a quality training experience. You'll know exactly what you're paying for and whether or not you get it. By paying for your own schooling, you are also eligible for tuition reimbursement programs offered by many trucking companies. This is similar to company sponsorship, except without the binding ties. The trucking company simply recruits you by offering to pay back your tuition while you work for them. So long as you stay with them, they'll pay a certain amount back to you per month. If you leave, fine; you just won't see any more reimbursements. In this sort of program, most drivers are able to recover their tuition costs in two years time or less. All in all, the self-payment option is essentially the same as the company sponsored option, except you're the one in the "driver's seat". The only foreseeable drawback is coming up with the funds in the beginning. But if this isn't a huge problem, this method is widely regarded as the wiser option due to the freedom it allows. Conclusion The bottom line is that in order to get your CDL license and start driving a big rig, you'll have to attend trucking school that can last up to six weeks. These schools are generally eight hours per day long, while some offer night classes around 12 weeks long. Another thing to consider is that you will be graded in trucking school, which is not something to be taken lightly. Most trucking companies looking to hire view trucking school scores as a sign of a student's dedication to becoming a driver. With lives at stake out on the open road, there's no room in the trucking industry for goons that barely made it through class. As far as financing goes, you can choose the company sponsored route where you agree to work for a company to pay off the debt, or you can pay for schooling yourself. The latter is the better choice if you can afford it, but the former is certainly an okay route. Indeed, most new recruits pursue this option and make more money their first year. Make sure to choose a certified school with sufficient (and actual) behind-the-wheel time, in addition to superior equipment and facilites. So long as you follow these simple guidelines, you can't go wrong in your CDL training. What's Next? Now that you know what schooling involves, what's the next step? Well, believe it or not, a month of schooling is just the first step to becoming a tractor-trailer driver. After graduation, it will be time to either solicit a job or go sign on with the carrier that recruited you. During your first month or so with your new employer, you will continue your training as a student driver. Choosing A Trucking Company There are hundreds of trucking comanies from which to choose. They all have different benefits, pay rates, added perks, etc. In addition, they all use different trucks. Some even use automatic transmissions to get better mileage. By and large, however, all trucking companies pay graciously and use the newest equipment available. Most carriers replace their trucks every three years or so. Pay And Benefits Trucking companies pay a little differently than what you might be used to at a regular job. First of all, they pay based on performance and how long you've been with the company. That being said, new drivers are almost sure to make at least $35,000 their first year at any carrier. Trucking companies pay a certain amount for every mile you drive. Generally speaking, a new driver can expect to make anywhere from 21 cents to 34 cents per mile starting out. Periodic pay increases occur along the way. These are governed by both performance and time spent with the company. Some carriers choose to pay either by the mile or by percentage of cargo carried. This latter option can open the doors to much greater opportunities. Trucking carriers also have several other pay incentives available. Most grade A companies will pay you for "laying over", which is time spent between deliveries. This depends on how long the layover is. Many companies also pay extra for time spent as a lumper, extra pickups and dropoffs, breaking down, tarp pay, shrink wrap, hand pallets jacking, cleating, choking, and bracing. Many also award bonuses to drivers who drive over a certain number of miles per month or year. As far as the benefits go, any trucking company is going to offer a top of the line package that includes life, dental, vision, health, injury pay, so on and so forth. A comprehensive benefits package is pretty standard in the business. Of course, you'll want to make sure the company you like has what you need, but 99% of the time they will. Other benefits include such perks as regional driving zones. Often times, drivers will elect to be assigned specifically to regions that are near their home. This way they they already know the lay of the land, plus the company can get them home more frequently. At most companies, however, this perk is reserved for drivers with some degree of seniority. But some of the larger nationwide carriers can provide this to all drivers, such as Swift Trucking Inc., one of the nation's largest carriers. This company offers "comfort zones" to drivers that enable them to stick to a certain area. So as you can see, drivers in the big rig industry enjoy some of the best pay and benefits in the world for a non-college job. They also enjoy it immediately, unlike many other entry level positions. Time Off Well, as you can imagine, time off in the trucking industry is relatively hard to come by. Most trucking companies, however, try to make it a priority to get you home as often as they can. One of the determining factors is where you live, i.e. whether or not you're close to a distribution center or office headquarters. As a rule of thumb when working a trucking job, you can expect to receive one day off for every six days that you drive. Of course not all companies are the same. Some may offer more, others less. If a lot of home time is important to you, you'll want to restrict your search to trucking companies that care most about this. Specific days off are generally arranged at least eight days ahead of time. You'll tell your dispatcher that you need to be home on x day and z day, and they'll do what they can to make it happen. Very few instances occur where they can't do it, since most carriers take their drivers' home time very seriously. By and large while driving over the road, you can expect to make it home anywhere between four days to seven days per month, while some companies can guarantee you'll be home every weekend. It all depends on who you drive for and what your preferences are. Most drivers will drive two weeks, then take two days off. Others will drive all month, then take a four day break. Mileage One of the factors that is commonly overlooked by new drivers is the number of miles that a prospective carrier may or may not be able to offer you on a regular basis. Sometimes when the economy is suffering, many smaller carriers may not be able to offer drivers the number of miles they need to satisfy their financial goals. Slowdowns are generally not a problem with large carriers or those that haul reefer (refrigerated freight, such as perishables). But some of the smaller companies that only do dry van (non-perishable items), might be effected. Generally, they'll be forced to cut back on miles per driver and temporarily suspend hiring. If you're considering a smaller dry van company or flatbed company to driver for, you might want to ask them how many miles drivers receive on a regular basis. Most officials working for the company will be able to tell you exactly what their drivers average. Don't be afraid to verify it with drivers who actually work for the company. After all, it's your paycheck. Sleeping Accomodations/Trucker Lifestyle One of the most common inquiries among new recruits is the quality of life that awaits an over the road (OTR) truck driver. Most people are not very quick to abandon their home life, especially if they're under the impression that they'll have to give up all the comforts they've grown used to. The The truth is, about the only thing that changes when you become a truck driver is the space. Believe it or not, the cab of a modern day truck sports a miniature apartment environment. Contrivances include microwaves, small refrigerators, laptop computer with internet access, satellite television and radio, dvd players, plus two sleeping bunks. Of course you'll have ample storage space and lighting. You'll essentially be staying in a dorm room, except you won't have a roommate. Unless, of course, the company allows you to have one. That's another option available at most companies. Called team driving, many companies allow you to pair with another driver to go over the road with you. This person could be a spouse or signifcant other. By teaming with a spouse, drivers can make twice the money while keeping desired company. It is the common misconception about the truck driving lifestyle that is mainly to blame for the chronic driver shortage. But in point of fact, a driver's truck may be thought of as home away from home, while actual time at home is enjoyed regularly. Many older couples go out on the road together, simply to enjoy the adventure while getting paid handsomely in the meantime. Check out the following videos to get an idea of the trucking lifestyle and to take a tour of the inside of a typcial truck cab. Becoming A Student Driver After you've graduated from school and found a company to drive for, the next and final step to become a solo semi-truck driver is to simply hit the road and start racking up miles. Drivers fresh out of school will be required to spend some initial time over the road with a company training driver before being turned loose as a "first seat" solo driver. You'll be driving as you normally would, except under supervision. During this time, which varies from three weeks to six weeks, depending on the company, you'll earn a trainee's wage. This also varies, ranging anywhere from $250 to $450 per week. Of course this isn't as much as you'll be making on your own, but not as much will be required of you either. You might be wondering why you have to spend time as a student driver. After all, you just spent a month in school to get your CDL, and now you have to wait another month to start making that big salary? What a deal, right? Actually, it is. The time you'll spend as a student driver will help you get acquainted with the company's trucks, equipment and procedures. Because every trucker knows that, if something is going to happen, it is going to happen on the road. The first time it does, you'll need somebody there to talk you through it. Once you've proved to your supervisor that you're ready to handle the demands of the big highway on your own, you'll finally be turned loose. You'll start hauling loads and earning the high pay of a first seat driver. The horizon is yours. Summary We hope you've found this trucking guide to be a useful starting point in your trucking career. Feel free to browse the rest of the site for great trucking links to schools, training facilities, trucking jobs, trucking companies and articles. You might also be interested in our trucking store which offers excellent trucking books and supplies, as well as trucking music and videos. Good luck in your trucking career. We hope to see you on the road! |
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