Paying For CDL School Myself Vs. Paid CDL School?
Topic 11745 | Page 1
The biggest benefit to going to a private school, is that you do not have to sign a contract to stay with the company for x amount of time. Mot companies that hire new drivers will also have a tuition reimbursement policy, so you get that money back. There are a lot of great companies that do not have their own cdl training program. The biggest benefit to a company sponsored school, is that a job is waiting for you, when you finish, compared to having to fish for pre-hires. They will usually require a 1 year commitment to drive for them, in exchange for the training they provide, but you should stay with your first company at least a year, anyway.
There are positives and negatives to both, but I think that these are the top differences, in my observation. It mostly depends on your situation, and what will work best for you.
Hope this helps
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Pre-hire:
What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?
Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.
We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.
A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment
The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.
During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.
Pre-hires:
What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?
Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.
We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.
A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment
The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.
During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.
Your ticket/fender bender sounds like the only obstacle. Here's what I did;
Picked a few companies I was interested in, checked to see if they hired from the school I wanted to attend and then made sure I passed the pre hire process. I basically knew which company I was going to when I got to school.
I'm glad I did it this way because my company didn't offer CDL school and I didn't want to have to team with a trainer for 2-4 months before earning solo pay.
I graduated CDL school last December, have logged 100,000 miles in ten months of driving and I believe I'm with the best company for me.
Good luck!
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Pre Hire:
What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?
Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.
We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.
A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment
The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.
During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.
New Reply:
New! Check out our help videos for a better understanding of our forum features
Preview:
Why Join Trucking Truth?
- The High Road Training Program
- The High Road Article Series
- The Friendliest Trucker's Forum Ever!
- Email Updates When New Articles Are Posted
Apply For Paid CDL Training Through TruckingTruth
Did you know you can fill out one quick form here on TruckingTruth and apply to several companies at once for paid CDL training? Seriously! The application only takes one minute. You will speak with recruiters today. There is no obligation whatsoever. Learn more and apply here:
TT On Facebook
Hello, been lurking around on these forums for quite a while now and I must say this really is a great place for information for newbies to veterans. With that said, I have a question for everyone. What is the negatives and benefits of paying for CDL school myself vs going to a company paid CDL training/paid CDL? Bare with me as I explain my situation. I live in WV, middle of bfe basically, worked as a supervisor for a local cattle and produce farm for the past 14 years. I'm 35 now and ready for a career change and I have always had an interest in trucking. I do have a local school nearby that trains for CDL, it is called Ohio Valley Truck Driver Training, cost is $4,050 for full time 5 week course. Paying for the school is not a problem, I have plenty in savings to cover the cost. My dilemma is once I get through school and get my CDL license will I be able to find a job in trucking. I hear that by doing the paid cdl/company sponsored CDL, that as long as you pass you are pretty much a guaranteed position with the company. Yes, I know that the tuition costs come out of paycheck and there is a commitment. Basically, I am just trying to figure out my best option for getting a CDL and being able to find a job in the trucking industry. Also, I have a ticket on my driving record from an accident in my personal vehicle from back in March 2014, ticket is for failure to maintain control and following to closely, this was a fender bender on ice. Only dang accident I ever had, only ticket I ever had. Heard most trucking companies want at least 3 years clean driving record, so guessing that ticket is going to keep me from getting a job? Any responses welcome.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated