CDL Class A Drivers License – 4 ways to get a CDL
1. Enroll in a private certified CDL truck driving school. A good reputable private certified truck driving school is a good way to get a CDL Class A Driver’s License (CDL). Unfortunately, it is usually out of reach for most because it requires a large fee upfront and/or obtains a loan. The cost for private truck driving schools can range from $2000.00 to $10,000 or more. Do your research by shopping around and comparing schools. Although cost should be a concern, do not let it the determining factor. Remember a bargain is not always a bargain. Therefore, it is important to ask many questions and do some serious investigating on any school that you are considering! This could be one of the most important decisions you ever make, so be prepared! Good luck! Keep in mind additional charges may incur such as meals, motel, license, fees, and books. Because attending a truck driving school is usually full-time, working a job may be difficult if not impossible. Unfortunately, most people do not have the resources necessary to attend a private school and consider one of the other CDL Training Programs below.
2. Enroll in a vocational school that offers an accredited CDL Class A truck driver training program. If you cannot go the private school, this route is also a great way to get your CDL Class A Driver’s License. Sometimes the drawback is being able to find a school in your area. Accredited vocational schools sometimes require you to take additional scholastic classes as well. This could take up half of your day, 5 days a week, thus making you a full-time student. In addition, some vocational schools are on the semester system meaning that the CDL training course could take up to a year or more to complete. The positive side is that it is usually very affordable and you may qualify for a scholarship or grant.
3. Enroll in a company paid – sponsored CDL training program with a guaranteed job upon successful completion of the training program is a realistic approach to getting your CDL Class A Driver’s License. This is in one sense is the easiest way to get your CDL License because the trucking company will pay for your tuition upfront. It can also be one of the hardest ways to get your CDL training because it is a fast-paced program and high-pressured. They will set you up on a payroll deduction plan to pay back your tuition. There are no credit qualifications or credit checks but you will be indebted to the trucking company until the tuition is paid back in full. The trucking company pays for your training upfront and you will be required to sign a contract. You are normally required to work for trucking company a certain length of time to satisfy the tuition debt obligation. Many Company Paid-Sponsored CDL Training Programs include transportation, lodging, and a tuition reimbursement plan.
4. Get your CDL Class A Drivers License on your own! Ride with another driver and get your CDL Class A Drivers License on your own! Can you do it? Do it on your own (non-certified). This is not for everyone, but maybe you are the exception? Go to your local DMV, (department of motor vehicle), office pick up a commercial drivers license study manual. Study the manual and go back to the DMV office to take the written knowledge exams. In order to obtain your CDL License you will be required to take the general knowledge, air brakes, combination, and passenger exams. Additional test are required for each endorsements you may want to add to your CDL License. Once you have completed this step and received you (CDL Class A learner’s permit), you will need to ride and learn how to drive the truck. Then you have to ride with them for a week or so just to learn some basic knowledge as to how to operate the truck. They then must allow you to drive the truck to get the experience you will need to pass the road skills exam. Then they will need to allow you access to their truck to take your road skills exam. If not, good luck borrowing a tractor trailer truck.
Now that you have passed your road skills test and have your CDL Class A Driver’s License, what is next? You will have to ride/drive with your friend as he is on the road making a living. You will need to keep your own logbook recording all your driving time. Once you have recorded approximately 6 months or more of verifiable daily logs showing approximately a minimum of 20 hours per week, then you may be OK for hire with most companies. Hopefully they are paying you to drive; otherwise, you might starve and give up.
Without all of the above, most trucking companies will not hire you unless you have at least 6 months to a one year of verifiable recent CDL Class A Truck Driving experience. The reason is without having verifiable driving experience; you have no record of accomplishment to prove your driving experience. This presents a liability problem for the trucking company(s). If they were to hire you as a driver and you were involved in an at fault accident, it could become a huge liability problem. If the at fault accident involved major property damage, personal injury to you or the occupants of the other vehicle(s) or even death then this could create a huge liability problem along with possible lawsuits costing the company millions of dollars. The other party(s) involved in the accident could claim that you were not properly trained and for that reason, you were not a competent driver. Most likely, the trucking company’s insurance company would not have insured you in the first place, so the company would have never hired you. This sounds like the most logical and easiest way to get your CDL but it is really a very tough and almost impossible task to achieve.
Getting a CDL Class A Drivers License and Driving a Tractor Trailer Truck can be a very rewarding Career!
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