Paid truck driver training from companies with good reputations can be a great option for the right person. However, you should be fully informed on both the pros and cons of company-sponsored truck driver training before signing a contract.
Pros of Company Paid Truck Driver Training
Paid truck driver training can seem like the perfect option for someone who can’t afford truck driving school or for someone who is unable to get financing at a private trucking company or community college.
Paid training programs last from a few weeks to a few months. When you have completed the requirements, you will go on the company payroll. Other possible perks can include:
- Driving newer equipment with no-touch cargo
- Minimal stops with a good amount of time at home
- Full benefits and retirement plan after 90 days
In some situations, both transportation to the training facility and housing while you are in training may be paid for by the company.
“Is Paid Truck Driver Training Too Good to Be True?”
Before you sign up, it’s important to know what companies require of you when they pay for your training. It costs the company time and money to train you to become a trucker, which means they will expect you to pay them back for this expense. This payback is in the form of an employment contract with the company that has provided the CDL training, which typically lasts for one year.
If you do not fulfill your employment contract you must pay back the training costs and related expenses. This means you will need to stay with the company that trains you, for the contracted period of time, to avoid paying extra money in penalties. But, staying with your first company for a while will look good on your work history, and it will make you a good candidate for a higher paying job in the future.
Possible Downsides of Company-Sponsored Truck Driving Schools
- You’ll need to sign a contract that ensures the company you’ll be working for them after training. Normally about 1 year.
- Lower cents-per-mile rate.
- Compared to truck driving schools, company sponsored training programs tend to have a higher ratio of students to instructors.
Just like with any contract, always read the fine print. Paid truck driver training is designed to help you become a truck driver without money up front. At the same time, without costing the company more than necessary.
Getting Your Foot in the Door
Overall, company sponsored training is a great way to get your foot in the door of the trucking world. Truck drivers can make a great living doing something they love. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, truck drivers in 2023 earned an average of $55,990, with the top 10 percent making $76,780 or more.
Read all about financial aid for CDL school here.
