Trying To Decide What School To Attend To Get My CDL

Good afternoon drivers, I'm a 54 yr. old who has been out of work for the past 4 yrs. and things are really tight. I've always said I was going to go OTR if I ever lost my job for any reason. I was at the same company for 18 yrs. when I had to have a brain tumor removed and sitting in front of a computer for 8 hrs. wasn't an option any longer. I was a regional mgr. and have since been on disability. Ok! I've decided now is the time to make the move I've always wanted to do. The wife is 100% on board after almost 30 yrs. I guess she is ok with some alone time. :) I had a recruiter come by today from NETTTS tractor trailer school and lay out a plan. I have to meet with financial aide Monday morning to see how I can pay 10,295.00 for a 5 month school. That's m-f 7am - 12 noon for 5 months. I'm wandering if applying to a company paid training with a contract is a better way to go. I know that they own you until your debt is paid. I've heard of companies that find a reason ( moving violation ) for example to fire you just before your contract is up and you are obligated to pay them the cost of the training in full or even prorated. Can I get some thoughts from anyone with the same dilemma or experience and what should I do. Thanks in advance. Be safe. Mark F.

The brain tumor and subsequent disability mighty be a stumbling block towards getting medical approval to drive. You might want to check with your personal physician and one that is familiar with DOT Medical Requirements with regards to your medical history.

$10K for private truck driving school is INSANE.

Companies do not fire you well into your contract for a moving violation, in order to get you to pay training money back. If you operate safely - you WON'T GET moving violations that could get you fired. Not that it never happens - but companies don't look for "excuses" to fire you - UNLESS YOU GIVE THEM ONE.

Don't pay that kind of $$ for a 5 month school that doesn't even guarantee you a job. Even a County/State VoTech will cost you 1/4 of what NETTS is asking.

Go the company training route - and give it your best.

Rick

Wow that's expensive but the school lasts longer. How many hours is that training certificate?

My first concern would be if you are taking any medications or have any issues that might make it difficult to get your DOT medical card.

Try going to your unemployment office and see what they can do to pay for your training. Next I'd check out company sponsored schools before I'd ever sign a loan for 10k.

BTW my school was $4k and affiliated with a community college.

Mark, I wouldn't lay out that kind of money for a truck driving school. There's some great Paid CDL Training Programs out there. Don't believe all the trash talk on the internet - It is a bunch of B.S. from folks who had no idea what they were getting into. Unrealistic expectations is the biggest stumbling block that kills many people's trucking careers from the beginning. Since they don't even know what hit them they point the finger at the trucking companies. Most truck driving schools are about four weeks long and should be about 4,000 dollars or maybe a little less.

Here's the great benefit to the company sponsored programs: You have a job waiting for you upon completion of their program.

I went to private school, and had all kinds of problems getting my first shot at the career. I was 53, and although I passed the schools medical exams with ease, I hit a brick wall when going through the physicals at the trucking companies. If you go through a company sponsored program, they have already cleared you and you are good to go. Prime will even pay you $700 minimum per week while in your second phase of training. They don't pay you during that first part of the training which is usually about three or four weeks, but they will advance you $200 per week based on you allowing them to take it out of your future checks a little at a time.

With your medical history I think it would be very wise to go through a company sponsored program. That way you know you have a job lined up. If they are not going to hire you, then they will not take you into the program in the first place. That way you don't waste time, effort, and money for nothing.

Do some research here on our site, we have a ton of helpful information to assist you in getting started.

Check out some of these links:

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road Training Program

Thanks for the quick replies. BTW Rick, I am a Davie, Florida born and raised transplant to New Hampshire. lol As far as my disability? I'm deaf in my right ear from the surgery, but I'm told I can get a waiver if I can past the whisper test? I have an appointment with my Dr. this month so I was going to ask him his thoughts. The class is 540 hrs. with 240 behind the wheel. The rest is classroom. They guarantee you will pass as long as it takes or as many times as it takes. Their job placement is 75% of grads land jobs. On my 3rd week I will start meeting with company recruiters who will take me on once I have my CDL. I was in sales for 18 yrs and I explained that to Pete the recruiter/salesman. I know his job is to get me to sign and he is done with me. He said no of course. :) Do ya'll have any suggestions on companies that train and hire. I'm sure there are plenty.

Be safe. Mark F.

BTW my school was $4k and affiliated with a community college.

Just a starter list:

Swift

Roehl

Prime

Jim Palmer/Wil-Trans

Maverick

Celadon

I know there are more, I'm just drawing a blank right now!

Wil-Trans:

Darrel Wilson bought his first tractor in 1980 at age 20, but, being too young to meet OTR age requirements, he leased the truck out and hired a driver.

Through growth and acquisition, Wil-Trans now employs over 200 drivers, and has a long-standing partnership with Prime, Inc. to haul their refrigerated freight. The family of businesses also includes Jim Palmer Trucking and O & S Trucking.

I would not pay $10,000 for Truck driving school period. I went through Swift Company Sponsored Training. Total tuition $3900.00. I signed a contract to work for them for 13 months. I pay them back $1950.00 through payroll deduction of $37.50 per week. They match the other half. If I stay for a second year, they pay me back my contribution. Totally free beats 10 grand in my book any day. You will pay on that loan for years! Good luck which ever way you decide to go

Mark guesses:

I guess [the wife] is ok with some alone time.

Mark, the future change in your lifestyle is not going to be the same as changing from folk music to country. It's more like changing channels from classical to headbanging.

For your 30 years of married bliss to stay on solid ground, be sure the missus understands just how little you will be around the house as an OTR driver.

You might ask her to read some of our "starter" literature that Old School put on the end of his post.

Well I've not heard one driver say it was a smart move to pay that much money and in 5 mths I may have a perm. job somewhere. I'm convinced that there is another way. Thanks for all the advise drivers. I have a friend ( also a driver ) who's wife is on her way to TX for CDL training with CR England. That's also an option. I live in NH so I may have to travel to get to my school where ever it may be. I want to be on the road so I may as well start with school. lol What a thought hah? Be safe! Mark F.

Just a starter list:

Swift

Roehl

Prime

Jim Palmer/Wil-Trans

Maverick

Celadon

I know there are more, I'm just drawing a blank right now!

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.

Wil-Trans:

Darrel Wilson bought his first tractor in 1980 at age 20, but, being too young to meet OTR age requirements, he leased the truck out and hired a driver.

Through growth and acquisition, Wil-Trans now employs over 200 drivers, and has a long-standing partnership with Prime, Inc. to haul their refrigerated freight. The family of businesses also includes Jim Palmer Trucking and O & S Trucking.