Getting Started

Topic 2204 | Page 1

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Bud G.'s Comment
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This site has helped me a lot with finding information about companies that i couldn't find and also finding companies I've never heard of. I have some time to think about rather i want to go to a company sponsored school or a private one. i have considered both and made of long list of companies i would like to start with. My dad has given me a lot of ideas and help but he's an old man and don't know anything about private or company sponsored schools. i know with the my dad and the great people on here i will make the right decisions and be successful in my new career. My eyes and ears are open for any ideas, or suggestions about private or company sponsored schools, and also companies that will be a good place to start at.

Daniel B.'s Comment
member avatar

Well, first you need to understand the differences between the Company Sponsored Schooling and Private Schooling.

Before you begin the process, here's some advice for students.

You need to also prepare for the first challenge, which is choosing a school.

Another thing that people don't realize is that getting your CDL is a great investment. Companies are always hiring and having a CDL almost always guarantees you a job.

Here's a list of truck driving schools to consider.

All in all, it depends on your finances. Can you afford to pay thousands for a private school? Most people cannot so they opt the company sponsored schooling since its much more affordable.

Private schools treat you as a paying customer so they will work with you to teach you. On the other hand, company sponsored schools are very fast paced and its more like a bootcamp - either get it quickly or be gone. With company sponsored schooling you usually sign a contract to work for them, this contract is usually a year in length but it varies from company to company. Obey the contract, but do not let it be the deciding factor. Contract or not, you must work for your first company for a full year.

Get a year of safe driving in and you'll be a beacon and can pretty much work anywhere you want.

There is so much to talk about when discussing this topic. I only reached the tip of the iceberg. Read those links above and you will truly understand the differences between a company sponsored school and a private school.

We have a great forum that is filled with drivers who documented their experiences at their schooling.

Who can find my personal experience in a company sponsored school here.

Daniel B.'s Trucking School Diary

Visit our Trucker's Forum: CDL Training Diaries.

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.

HOS:

Hours Of Service

HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.

OOS:

When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.

Brett Aquila's Comment
member avatar

We also have a section of our Trucker's Career Guide that covers choosing a truck driving school. There are a lot of articles there on the subject, including some that Daniel already linked to.

The choice isn't a real big deal. I mean, you'll get your career off to a great start either way. Generally speaking, if you can afford to go to a private school it's a better option because the training is a little slower paced and you'll have your choice of companies upon graduating. Company-sponsored schooling is a life-saver if you can't afford private schooling because they pay for pretty much everything up front and you pay them back once you're on the road.

As far as Trucking Companies, we have an excellent category of articles on How To Choose A Company, including an eight part series I wrote. Those articles will cover the differences between different types of freight, different size companies, what information is important and how to find it, and things like that.

The two big things you have to decide when choosing a company are what type of freight would you like to haul and how often would you like to be home? Once you can answer those two questions you'll narrow down your choices considerably. Then you find out which companies are willing to give you an opportunity and pick the one you feel suits you best.

HOS:

Hours Of Service

HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.

OOS:

When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.

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