Which Trucking School Is Best?

I'm Dustin, I'm 24. I'm currently talking to the CRST recruiters. I like the school because I don't have to pay anything up front, which for me, to be honest, seems like a huge relief. CRST so far sounds nice, the only thing I'm worried about is teams. The reason why I quit my construction job and wanting to start trucking is because I want to work alone(My personality type is an ISTJ, a recommended career for ISTJs is Trucking). My only worry is that I will not get along with my team mate, which will make me miserable if I'm stuck with someone I don't get along with or someone I don't like. Although team trucking is nice because your with someone else, who is more knowledgeable & experienced.

So basically my question is, is there any other schools for CDL training, with no cost up front? I'm still in the process of gathering all the information I can before I choose a school & company. I'm also looking into Roadmasters, but I feel like now is the best time to get advise from other people.

Whats the best way to get into trucking and not have to drive in teams/get my own truck?

My Goals for trucking are to 1. Drive solo, not in teams. 2. Drive where ever the wind takes me, perhaps going to Alaska or Canada.

I'm not worried about hometime, If I have to stay out months at a time, I'm fine with that.

If you don't like the idea of teams, don't go to CRST. There is a wealth of information on this site about other company sponsored program. XPO and Celadon also have programs.

Fair warning, you will probably have to share a room with someone at school, and share a truck with your trainer as you begin.

From personal experience, depending on the roommate, the sharing the room can be challenging.

Roehl has a cdl school and they don't do teams for training. They also pay you to go thier school. After you get your cdl they put you with a trainer for 2 weeks more if you need it. After that they send you off in your own truck.

Dustin, there are so many people that fail at this career when they get started, and you sound like you are one of those types who is going to exhibit the types of problems that cause these early failures. So, if you want to make it through that initial challenging training period you are going to have to make a conscious effort and decision that you will get through it without loosing your cool and blowing it. I would never recommend team driving to you based on what you have stated, but realize that there will be some teaming at the beginning wherever you go. Check out these Paid CDL Training Programs. These are places that will train you with little or no upfront expenses. If there were any way for you to get on with Roehl that is where I would look first based on your statements. They have a fairly quick training period before they turn you loose, and then they pair you with a special dispatcher who is trained to help rookie drivers make the transition into this challenging career from the very start. Remember that when you go with a shorter training period they are expecting you to catch on quickly - accelerated doesn't mean less training, but it does mean you need to get a grip on this quickly or else you may be going home without getting what you came here for.

Prime is one we recommend all the time, but they have a lengthy training period of team driving, and that gets you off to a great hands on start with someone in there to assist you much of the time, but it also pairs you with someone in the truck with you for a longer time period. Click on that link above and do some research in there, You can always ask us some more questions and we will be glad to answer as best we can.

Thanks for the reply. I think I'm going to go with CRST, and just hope for the best. I just want to drive/learn to drive & having someone else there with you might be good. And after the contract Ill try to find a place where I can drive solo or perhaps lease my own truck(which sounds a little scary, 320k investment or something like that). Or perhaps continue Teams...

Dustin, I think you are making a big mistake based on what you stated in your first post. I wish you would take your time and look a little further into this. CRST will keep you from getting a job anywhere else if you don't make it with them until you have paid them the full contract amount. You are putting yourself into a very risky position by going to a team company when you know you are not going to like teaming.

You can do with that what you want, but I don't see you making it at CRST. It is just not the kind of environment where you will thrive. You don't want to fail, and CRST doesn't want you to fail either. But they are heavy handed with their contracts, and you will suffer from the consequences if you give up early.

I called Roehl, I'm not eligible for their training since I'm in Florida. I appreciate the link for the schools. I will Look over every single one. I do still have more time and will do more research.

Dustin, I didn't realize you were in Florida - that makes it even tougher for you.

Get on line and take a look at Cypress trucking company. Click here to go to their web site. They have a training program, and they are a Florida based company that runs all 48 states. I would look seriously into them if I was you. It is a flat-bed company, and I don't know how you feel about that, but they may be a very good fit for you.