Top 6 Questions to Ask Your Truck Driving School

Choosing the right Truck Driving School will have a big impact on the types of jobs you’ll be able to secure once you have your CDL. You want to be sure you’re selecting a CDL Training program with an industry reputation for producing high-quality drivers. Be prepared when shopping around for a trucking school with these 6 important questions every trainee should ask.

1. What’s your program’s history? How long have you been in business?

A school with a substantial track record has good credibility. A trucking school that’s been around for a while is also more likely to have strong connections with future employers. Through this question you should also find out if the school is licensed, certified, or accredited. The most recognized certification is PTDI (Professional Truck Driver Institute.)

2. What kind of training equipment do you use?

A school that uses out of date equipment will do little to help your future trucking career. Employers search for workers who were trained with the most modern technologies. Well-equipped drivers make the most valuable and dependable employees. Facilities should have plenty of audio-visual equipment, a variety of training aids, and a library for other trucking resources.

3. How successful is your job placement assistance program?

The truck driver training schools that will give you the most for your buck are the ones with reliable employer relationships. Truck carriers go to the schools they know and trust to recruit future employees. A top-quality school will provide a staff willing to spend as much time as it takes to help you secure a job after graduation. No school should guarantee a future position, but you should feel confident in a future after talking to them about job placement assistance.

4. Can I take a look around your facilities?

The type of environment you will spend all of your truck driver training time in says a good deal about the quality of the school. Look for a clean campus with modern equipment that’s in good condition. Also keep an eye out for the practice area. A brightly marked, paved-in driving area provides much better practice than a gravel square with no a lot of room.

5. What is the tuition cost?

Nothing in life is free. This philosophy especially applies to the truck driving education world. A CDL school will be an investment, but it’s an investment that will return you huge rewards in the future.  On average, a CDL program will cost anywhere from $2,000-$6,000. Most schools ask for about $4,000. Some truck driving schools will offer valuable financing assistance such as tuition reimbursement programs and counselors to help you find loans with fair terms.

6. How much driving time will I get?

A PTDI-certified school will require at least 44 hours behind the wheel. A program that offers something well under that number should be carefully looked at. Hands-on experience is crucial to your truck driving future.  Don’t be confused by the term, “observation time.” Many students assume it means driving time, but it’s really time spent sitting in the passenger seat while someone else drives. This method had very little value compared to actual hands-on experience.