There are trucking companies that offer CDL training through their very own truck driving schools. These are known as company-sponsored CDL training programs, and every one of them is structured differently. Are any of these free truck driving schools? Some of them, yes. Others will require you to pay back the tuition costs once your training is complete and you're on the road running solo.
Upon completion of your company-sponsored CDL training you will sign an agreement to work for the company for a specified amount of time. This is how they recoup the time and money they've invested into your CDL training, which in my opinion is a very fair deal for both sides.
Generally speaking, if you decide to quit working for the company before your obligation is complete, you will owe the company a prorated amount of money for the schooling. At some companies your training will be free once your obligation is complete, and others will require you to make payments out of your paycheck to cover the tuition for the schooling. Here's more info:
Swift Transportation is one of North America's largest trucking companies. They offer truck driver training with very little money up front and in only 21 days you will have your CDL.
FFE Transport has been in business for more than 60 years and is one of the industry leaders in temperature controlled LTL, Truckload, and Dedicated services nationwide.
Prime is one of North America's most successful carriers with a variety of opportunities including refrigerated, flatbeds, and tankers.
Roehl Transport was established in 1962 with a single truck and now operates over 1,900 tractors and 4,600 trailers including dry-van, reefer, flatbed, curtainside, and step-deck.
PAM Transport began operation in 1980 and specializes in hauling "just in time" freight for the automotive industry and also frequently hauls air conditioner units, cosmetics, and paper.
USA Truck is a dry freight trucking company headquartered in Van Buren, AR. They began in 1989 with just 10 tractors and have expanded to more than 2,500 trucks and 7,200 trailers.
C. R. England is the nation's largest refrigerated trucking company with a long history. They have four trucking schools across the US and offer 3 weeks from the time you begin until you'll have your CDL.
CRST is a predominantly team-operated dry van company out of Cedar Rapids, IA which boasts a 1,500 mile average length of haul with more than 1,100 company-owned tractors, 2,500 van trailers, 2,000 team drivers, 350 solo drivers, and more than 250 independent contractors.
Millis Transfer began hauling freight after the end of prohibition and has since grown to more than 700 tractors, 2,200 trailers, and an additional 100 owner operators. They are a dry-van carrier with most of their freight originating and terminating in the Eastern half of the United States.
Schneider National is North America's largest private truckload carrier with ton of opportunities for new drivers, and operates throughout the US and Canada.
Driver Solutions is a recruiting company that matches drivers with an entry-level truck driving job working for a trucking company that will cover the upfront tuition costs of truck driver training.
Stevens Driving Academy of Texas has been preparing men and women for life-long careers in trucking since 1992 in locations across the nation. They are fully accredited and licensed by the State of Texas.
Central Refrigerated is one of the largest temperature controlled truckload carriers in the nation with one of the fastest-paced training programs you'll find anywhere.
For questions about becoming a truck driver, we highly recommend:
- Our Guide To Becoming A Truck Driver
- Our Trucker's Forum which is full of friendly, helpful people
- Our TruckingTruth Facebook Page
- Our Truck Driving Blogs with almost 300 articles from over a dozen authors
- Our Ask A Driver Page or Brett's Truck Driving Articles
BigRigDriving is for those interested in research, debates, and discussion of topics within the trucking industry
TruckingTruth is dedicated to those considering becoming a truck driver or are new to the trucking industry
Becoming A Truck Driver: The Raw Truth About Truck Driving
- By Brett AquilaIf you're considering becoming a truck driver, this is the book for you!
Posted on 26 January 2012
I had never planned on driving a big rig so you can imagine how exciting it was for me to reach the 300,000 mile barrier! Continue reading →
Posted on 29 December 2011
There are a lot of factors that will affect your ability to find job placement in the trucking industry. Not only the obvious ones like employment history, criminal history, and driving record, but also things like your physical health and credit scores. Let's take a look at em.... Continue reading →
Posted on 28 December 2011
While the majority of students have success during their time at CDL training, there are others who come up short in their quest to become a professional truck driver. So, why do they fail? And how can it be prevented? Let's take a look at the four most common mistakes and how to prevent them. Continue reading →
Posted on 21 December 2011
Getting pre-hires is an important step when beginning your truck driving career. They can verify that companies are willing to hire you, and give you numerous choices when it comes to choosing the company you'd like to work for. Here we'll go into detail about what a pre-hire is, and how to go about getting them. Continue reading →
Posted on 15 December 2011
Sleep apnea is the biggest buzz in the trucking industry right now. But is this justified? Or is it yet another money-making scheme for the insurance companies and medical industry? The statistics are fuzzy. Continue reading →
Posted on 13 December 2011
There are a number of advantages to company-sponsored CDL training over private truck driving schools. Here we'll talk a little bit about the differences between the two, and why you may find that company-sponsored training is the better way to go. Continue reading →
Posted on 14 November 2011
I've seen more of this country in just a few short years than most people see in their entire lifetimes. But most things eventually come to an end. In this case, my trucking career has ended as I move on to other things. I'd like to summarize why I left the industry, and where I'm headed now. Continue reading →
Posted on 14 November 2011
Being a CDL instructor or a driver trainer is a very unique experience. I learned more about truck driving over the past 4 weeks than I have in the previous three years combined. It was an amazing learning experience for me. Here are some of the highlights I learned along the way. Continue reading →
Posted on 9 November 2011
After four weeks on the road training my student, it was time to sit back nervously and watch as he attempted to take the CDL exam to get his license. My student and I were extremely nervous, and it didn't go quite as well as we had hoped. Continue reading →
Posted on 25 October 2011
Becoming a solo truck driver is one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life, and I have done some hard things. CDL training will test you in so many ways, and it will go far beyond your ability to drive a truck. Continue reading →