Can I Go to Trucking School and Work a Regular Job Too?

Balancing CDL training with a demanding and irregular work schedule can be challenging, but it’s far from impossible. If night or weekend classes don’t fit your lifestyle, there are still numerous strategies you can employ to make truck driving school a reality. From creative scheduling solutions to financial planning and leveraging support systems, there are multiple ways to navigate this journey. Here are some practical options to help you achieve your goal of becoming a certified truck driver without compromising your current job responsibilities.

Flexible Scheduling Solutions

• Switch Shifts: If you can arrange to pick up extra shifts during the week to clear up your weekends, you can enroll in weekend training sessions. Alternatively, if you can work night shifts, you can attend regular daytime training.
• Utilize Paid Time Off: If you have accumulated vacation or paid time off, consider using it strategically to complete your CDL training in a condensed timeframe.
• Online Theory Classes: Some schools offer online classes for the theoretical part of the training. Completing these online can free up more time for hands-on training sessions. Depending on your location, other trade school programs with online options may be available.  You can probably connect with night and weekend trade school classes too.
• Temporary Schedule Adjustments: Speak with your employer about the possibility of temporarily adjusting your work schedule to accommodate your training. Many employers are willing to support their employees’ career advancement.
• Employer Sponsorship: Check if your employer offers any sponsorship or training programs. Some companies may cover the cost of training or offer flexible hours for employees pursuing a CDL.

Financial Strategies

• Save Up: Save money in advance so you can afford to work reduced hours or take unpaid leave during your training period.
• Cut Costs: Reduce personal expenses to enable a reduction in work hours, allowing you to focus more on your training schedule.
• Financial Aid and Scholarships: Look into financial aid options or scholarships specifically for CDL training. These can help cover costs and reduce the need for full-time work.

Support Systems

• Ask for Help: Seek assistance from friends and family with responsibilities like childcare or household chores, freeing up more of your time for training.
• Community Resources: Explore community programs that offer support for vocational training, such as transportation assistance, childcare, or financial subsidies.

Flexible Training Programs

• Customized Training Plans: Some schools may offer customized training plans tailored to your schedule. Discuss your needs with potential schools to find a program that works for you.

Fill out the free application to connect with a truck driving school offering flexible training options. Get the training you need to launch your career in truck driving.

More reading: What is an Entry Level Trucking Job Like?