Woman Looking Into Trucking - Can You Recommend Or Offer An Opinion On A Good Private School In Northern New Jersey?

I'm looking into changing careers after a layoff from an office job to trucking. There are three private trucking schools in the northern half of New Jersey that are certified as A+ by the Better Business Bureau: Jersey Tractor Trailer Training in Lyndhurst, Smith & Solomon Training Solutions in Bordentown (I would prefer the school in Linden because it's closer) and Winsor's Tractor Trailer Driving School in Linden. Any other recommendations or opinions?

I am a very healthy 57-year-old single woman who has done little traveling in her life and sees a trucking career as opportunity to see the country.

Thank you.

Rainy is a Joyzze Goil. She will chime in soon and give you some GREAT advice!

Thanks so much! I certainly need advice!

Hi! I'm from turnpike exit 3 south jersey. And I'm guessing you wanted unemployment to pay for the schooling. Which does make things easier. Once done with school you need a company to train you in depth before you can go solo.

Have u considered a company sponsored program? I ask because unlike with traditional schools you can get one on one in depth training from the start. I went to a week of orientation then bam...was on the road hauling loads at 3000 miles per week. Not only did it give me a real taste for the road, but by the time I took the test for the CDL , I had driven mountains, fog, rain, and all sorts of traffic conditions. IMO you can't get this kind of training in a local school.

That's not to say that a local school won't get you to pass the test and give you a foundation for success. You need to do what works for you. Before I came to this site, I didn't known there was such a thing.

Click on the links below for more info.

As for the schools you mentioned S&S is the only one I have heard of. Their record in the school down here seems to be hit or miss. I see them at the Bordentown Petro all the time teaching backing. Stop in sometime and ask the current students how they feel.

Keep in mind.,.people have unrealistic expectations for companies, schools, and trucking in general. I love it and love my company. Best decision I ever made. My friend did NO research whatsoever and the whole experience is hell for her...at the same company... Because she expected top miles her first month. All drop and hook..she demands things and after two accidents in one month, its "never her fault".

Start here:

Paid CDL Training Programs

• Trucker's Career Guide: Choosing A Truck Driving School
• Article Category: Choosing A Truck Driving School
• Forum Topics Tagged "Choosing A Truck Driving School"

• Trucker's Career Guide: Choosing Your First Truck Driving Job
• Article Category: Finding The Right Truck Driving Job
• Forum Topics Tagged "Choosing A Trucking Company"

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

Becoming A Truck Driver: The Raw Truth About Truck Driving

I'm looking into changing careers after a layoff from an office job to trucking. There are three private trucking schools in the northern half of New Jersey that are certified as A+ by the Better Business Bureau: Jersey Tractor Trailer Training in Lyndhurst, Smith & Solomon Training Solutions in Bordentown (I would prefer the school in Linden because it's closer) and Winsor's Tractor Trailer Driving School in Linden. Any other recommendations or opinions?

I am a very healthy 57-year-old single woman who has done little traveling in her life and sees a trucking career as opportunity to see the country.

Thank you.

Elizabeth you might also want to check out the Ladies Forum here on Trucking Truth. Good luck!

I'll do that, but the main forum seemed busier.

Elizabeth, you're right, and you're always welcome here. G-Town was just thinking that you might not even be aware of it.

Rainy D. - Thank you so much for taking the trouble to provide all the information.

I thought that a private trucking school would provide a better education because it must justify their existence. Why should a wannabe truck driver pay of-out-pocket for training when she can get if for free (or reimbursed) by a trucking company? I thought that the folks at a school could provide insight to the most appropriate trucking companies to work for; for example, regarding lifting packages. A private school will continue to assist me until I pass the CDL test (assuming that I fail the first time), lifetime placement assistance and not being tied to a contract.

I know that some companies, such as Swift, will train and provide a job upon graduation, others will hire a recent grad and still others want anywhere from three months to five years experience.

I hoped to get all my training done in New Jersey, until actually going on the road with a trainer. I need to learn how to drive a stick. Ugh!

The ultimate education is gained on the job because there's only so much any school can teach.

Again, thanks. You have been a great help.

Old School - Thanks so much. I am aware of the Women's Forum, but the General forum is busier and I more than welcome advice provided by men.

Hey Elizabeth, if you were layed off and currently collecting unemployment, getting your CDL at a private school using WIOA funds may be a really good idea. That's what I am currently doing. (ALMOST DONE, whew!). For me, this decision was because I was paying nothing out of pocket. I figured if I discovered that I just didn't have the skills or if I didn't enjoy what I was doing, well then I wasn't on the hook with a contract with a company. If that's NOT the case with you and you will indeed pay for it, then I would seriously consider going the company sponsored training program. I completely understand your thought process regarding a school needing to "justify their existence". That said, they justify it by getting you your CDL in your state. For MY state, the maneuvering skills are straight line backing, offset backing from one side of the truck only, and parallel parking from one side only. So, NOPE, no 45 degree dock type backing for me! Plus, as for the road skills part. It is 100% dead flat all around me, so I will get my CDL with zero experience even starting from a stoplight on an incline, let alone everything else that comes with varied terrain. It actually makes me quite nervous about what a company that hires me will expect from me. I'm hoping not too much. ;)

With a company CDL program, they are investing in you driving THEIR equipment in the manner that they want you to. Their rooting for your success in real life situations. You asked why anybody would pay for it if a company would train them "for free". Good question. I can tell you from almost every student around me in my school that, well...almost NONE of them want OTR. They're all hoping to hop into some local day job right away. (Best of luck to them!) It appears that it's only the OTR big companies that do the whole "we'll train you" gig.

Anyway, there's my two cents. And that and 2 bucks may get you a cup of coffee.