Do I Need A Training Center?

I am sorry for what I know is an already asked question, but google and the search bar are providing to be frustrating.

Q- I am getting a CDL from a community college. Do I need to go through a Swift type training center to find employment? I see companies that say they take recent grads, but it appears that you still must stay in a low rate hotel, take a grey hound bus, and run a team for 4 weeks to get hired. I am missing something or do I just need to suck it up?

My school is over 350 hrs of class. This is all very overwhelming with all the recruiters and different pay/policies at each contact.

Thank you for your time and thoughts!

A CDL school does NOT make a truck driver out of you. So YES as a brand new INEXPERIENCED driver you MUST GO THROUGH orientation and COMPANY TRAINING with your new employer.

At my company they have a 30 day training program where they teach you how the company operates and how to run your truck efficiently as well as company specific policies and procedures. And no, I wasnt paid a lower rate once i upgraded and went solo. I was paid a flat rate per week during company training.

Different companies have different requirements for orientation. Some longer, some, not all require team. They want to make sure you are fully qualified by their standards. Some will fly you instead of Greyhound. I am going through an 8 week school 360 hour course but will still be attending an orientation somewhere. Big bunches of info on this site right here.

Trucking Company Reviews Paid CDL Training Programs

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Christa, I believe you have the required classroom part. In that class, did you ever get into a truck? Probably to practice backing up. Did you ever get out on the road? These are the things that your first class should cover. Just enough to get you your CDL-A, I hope.

These are the "recent grads". Then some company that you apply to will consider whether you meet their criteria about driving record, work history, etc.

Then you're hired and start earning a paycheck! You'll get the bus ticket, and stay near the terminal for 3-4 days for orientation. You may get a "budget" hotel, but not a fleabag one. Then you get to move into even smaller digs, that don't have a restroom or shower, and barely any closet space. That would be your road instructor's truck.

Trust me, until your road instructor gets you your finishing polish, you won't be all that good with a truck and trailer anyway. And that's pretty much how we all got our driving jobs.

Our class covers a great deal, I believe compared with what I am hearing about other learning centers. We actually have 16 weeks of class. That is why I am wondering how much time I would need to spend with a trainer. Thank you for all the responses.

Christa, I believe you have the required classroom part. In that class, did you ever get into a truck? Probably to practice backing up. Did you ever get out on the road? These are the things that your first class should cover. Just enough to get you your CDL-A, I hope.

These are the "recent grads". Then some company that you apply to will consider whether you meet their criteria about driving record, work history, etc.

Then you're hired and start earning a paycheck! You'll get the bus ticket, and stay near the terminal for 3-4 days for orientation. You may get a "budget" hotel, but not a fleabag one. Then you get to move into even smaller digs, that don't have a restroom or shower, and barely any closet space. That would be your road instructor's truck.

Trust me, until your road instructor gets you your finishing polish, you won't be all that good with a truck and trailer anyway. And that's pretty much how we all got our driving jobs.

I believe 200-300 hours OTR with a Company Trainer is about the norm. Learning Company procedures, Qualcomm operation, Shippers, Receivers, Fueling, Comdata Cards, Comchecks, etc. Not to mention learning to navigate that 80,000 pound, 75 foot long BEAST through traffic, Truck Stops, backing into docks, City traffic. The list goes on. Most of the training you will grt in school is basic backing maneuvers, several hours of road training. Virtually every Company will put you through that type of Training Program. Trust me, you WILL need it. Good Luck!

Our class covers a great deal, I believe compared with what I am hearing about other learning centers. We actually have 16 weeks of class. That is why I am wondering how much time I would need to spend with a trainer. Thank you for all the responses.

Christa, I believe you have the required classroom part. In that class, did you ever get into a truck? Probably to practice backing up. Did you ever get out on the road? These are the things that your first class should cover. Just enough to get you your CDL-A, I hope.

These are the "recent grads". Then some company that you apply to will consider whether you meet their criteria about driving record, work history, etc.

Then you're hired and start earning a paycheck! You'll get the bus ticket, and stay near the terminal for 3-4 days for orientation. You may get a "budget" hotel, but not a fleabag one. Then you get to move into even smaller digs, that don't have a restroom or shower, and barely any closet space. That would be your road instructor's truck.

Trust me, until your road instructor gets you your finishing polish, you won't be all that good with a truck and trailer anyway. And that's pretty much how we all got our driving jobs.

With my permit to get my CDL I drove 10,000 miles, living on the truck 24/7 the trainer. Then took the test and went OTR for another 30,000 miles with a trainer. No offense but no off the road class is going to compare with that kind of intensive training. Even with that .. We rookies still screw up. It is almost expected.

Once I had my CDL I got paid a flat rate of $700 gross per week. And was entitled to all company benefits except 401k had to wait the year for that.

Christa, everything that has been stated here is factual and excellent advice. Sixteen weeks of class is not real world, barely scratches the surface of what you need to be a safe and productive driver. You need the road training, there are no short cuts.

Good luck.

The FMCSA Handbook actually spells out what they suggest a company should teach a new driver. It's not like these companies are just out there making stuff up as they go along and saying, "look, let's get all the team miles we can out of this newbie".

I'm still new, consider myself pretty quick on the uptake, and I must say there is a lot of info to absorb and practice. On day one of driver training I learned how to hold the steering wheel without wearing myself out on a 500 mile run. I also learned the importance of knowing how to take turns when there is a heavy cross wind. Oh, I also learned about these construction zones where the traffic goes to 2 lane and you have to cross over to the other side of the highway. In a car, I never noticed how bumpy entering and exiting those can be.

I know I've rambled, but I went into this with a little bit of "quiet confidence." I've been humbled after one week of road training.

In a nutshell - yes Christa - you're gonna have to suck it up.

While community college/VoTech type classes are usually 2X as long as most other private CDL schools - because they have to conform to a state-mandated curriculum (most private schools are only 160 hours, considered the "minimum requirement"), and they are less expensive than other private CDL schools - their purpose is STILL ONLY TO OBTAIN A CDL LICENSE.

There's still a TON TO LEARN - hence the "required training period for recent grads" that pretty much EVERY COMPANY that hires recent grads is going to require.

And like it or not - this is a GOOD THING, not a bad thing.

The low-rate hotel - is going to be for orientation, until you get on the truck with your trainer. Then that hotel is going to look like a dream, compared to the rolling 8X8 walk-in-closet you're going to be sharing with your trainer. I've been in bigger jail cells.

You weren't expecting the Marriott or anything, were you?

The greyhound bus, is to get you TO ORIENTATION. You can FLY at your own expense - and the company will compensate you what they bus ticket would have cost. Likewise for DRIVING your own car - but they may not allow you to long-term-park it while you're on the road in a truck.

So SUCK IT UP BUTTERCUP - and welcome to Trucking Truth and Trucking...

Rick