There are 4 Steps to your CDL:1. Pass a DOT Physical. Show
2. Study for your CDL Permit. 3. Attend a CDL School of your choice. 4. Pass your CDL Skills Test. CDL Training: Online Permit (FREE)Ready for your CDL Permit? Let's do this. Choose a course below-FREE! Class A CDL TrainingThis group of lessons will help you obtain a Class A CDL Permit. Start Now. FREE! Class B CDL TrainingThis group of lessons will help you obtain a Class B CDL Permit. Start Now. FREE! Class B CDL-Bus TrainingThis group of lessons will help you obtain a Class B CDL Permit with a Passenger Endorsement. Start Now. FREE! CDL Endorsements LessonsStudy here to add a CDL Endorsement Combination Vehicle EndorsementStart Now. FREE! Required to operate combination vehicles (included in the Class A Complete Training). Air Brakes EndorsementStart Now. FREE! Air Brakes Endorsement required to operate vehicles with air brakes Passenger EndorsementStart Now. FREE! Passenger Vehicle Endorsement - required to haul 16 or more passengers Tanker Vehicle EndorsementStart Now. FREE! Tanker Vehicle Endorsement - required to operate Tanker vehicles. Doubles/Triples Vehicle EndorsementStart Now. FREE! Doubles and Triples Endorsement - required to operate Doubles and Triples vehicles. Hazardous Materials EndorsementStart Now. FREE! Hazardous Materials Endorsement - required for commercial drivers who want to transport hazardous materials. School Bus EndorsementStart Now. FREE! School Bus Endorsement - required to operate School Bus vehicles. Test Your KnowledgeTake The Quiz General Practice Quiz. 100 questions to test your Commercial Driver License knowledge. CDL College is proud to offer these online CDL Permit courses to you. The price: $0.00. This web application will work on all Windows, Linux, OS X, ios, and Android devices. Paid CDL training is an alternative to private truck driver training schools, for those of you who are thinking about getting your CDL license but are put off by the high cost of tuition at the private CDL schools. After all, it always feels a little crazy to have to pay a boatload of money just to make money. One method (and the least expensive route) to get your CDL license is to approach a big carrier and explain to them that you’re looking to get into trucking. Company paid CDL training programs are available with most of the big carriers. They even offer to pay you (although often a low wage) during the training period. It may sound too good to be true. There are definitely advantages to getting company-sponsored CDL training and some potential disadvantages. Overall, paid CDL training programs are a GREAT way to become a truck driver. It’s the best way to get a good deal for your CDL training and the most bang for your buck. Taking advantage of one of these programs is a pretty smart way to get your CDL. HOW DOES PAID CDL TRAINING WORK?Paid CDL training or company sponsored CDL training is exactly what it sounds like. You contact a carrier saying you want to learn to drive a truck and they agree to pay for your training on the condition that you work for them afterward. Several of the large American trucking companies operate their own truck driver training schools. They will teach candidates how to drive a big rig, get their CDL and then give the graduates of their training program a driving job. It’s like a 2-For-1 deal….. training AND a job. Sounds pretty good, right? They can be, but you need to make sure your contract is very clear from the start. ARE FREE TRUCK DRIVING SCHOOLS REALLY FREE?That depends. Some programs do not have upfront fees. Others do. Some trucking company-sponsored CDL training programs have a plan where the company deducts the training fee from their monthly pay and some will reimburse the training fee to the driver, should they stay with the company for an extended time period. For most free truck driving schools, they really are free. In fact, you may receive paid training. Free trucking school programs/company sponsored training are probably the most cost-effective way to get a CDL, with the least amount of money paid to the training school. However, after factoring in the low wages during the first year or so as a driver, while fulfilling the contractual agreement for receiving the free training, a private training school option may be the better choice. (So in reality, it’s really NOT free.) It all depends on your personal situation. It’s really important to ask questions before signing on to make sure that you know full and well what you’re getting yourself in to. HOW TO QUALIFY FOR PAID CDL TRAININGThese programs just don’t take anyone onboard. Here’s what is required to qualify for most of the company sponsored programs.
If you are good for all of the above, keep reading! WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF FREE TRUCK DRIVING SCHOOLS?Training programs vary from company to company.
There are a few distinct advantages in enrolling in one of these free truck driving schools. Most of them do not require any money upfront, as compared to the private truck driving training schools which can be very expensive. We’re talking thousands and thousands of dollars for private CDL school tuition. Definitely, the price is right. It is low cost truck driver training.
Another perk is the graduates are guaranteed a driving job at the trucking company. This is pretty important stuff, as graduates from some training schools may find it difficult to secure employment. Many trucking companies prefer to hire drivers with experience. That’s no surprise but it makes it a little bit of a challenge when you’re a brand new driver out of school! It can be very disheartening to pay all that money, get your CDL and then not be able to find a job. The carriers have the benefit of hiring a new driver, so it’s a win-win situation for both company and new driver. A guaranteed trucking job at the end is something worth having.
It’s also an advantage to learning on company equipment. Chances are, as a new driver, you’re bound to have a few little bang-ups here and there as you learn to maneuver and navigate the truck in tight spaces. So, it’s best if you’re going to ricochet off something, to do it in a truck belonging to a mega carrier. These huge trucking companies are very accustomed to equipment damage, so it’s more likely the penalties for the driver won’t be so severe. Or maybe no penalties at all. But always good to learn on big company equipment first. Another advantage of running for one of the big carriers is that they generally have the easiest equipment to drive. Generally, they’ll have drop nose trucks with great visibility and automatic transmissions. You will have enough to think about when you’re learning so you don’t want to be worried about whether you’re hitting the right gear or not. There is a distinct advantage to using automatic transmissions for a training period. It lets you concentrate more on where the vehicle is on the road rather than have to worry about where the stick should be. When you’re learning, the easier the better.
Another perk is there are lots of these companies around the U.S. which have implemented this style of training. They ALL want you to come to their driving school and hire you! Many of the mega carriers have branches in many different parts of the country, so you won’t need to travel far to attend one of their schools.
It won’t be loads of money, but most company sponsored CDL schools offer trainees pay while learning the ropes. Related > The Truck Driver Shortage – The Dirty Truth No One Talks About ANY DOWNSIDES TO PAID CDL TRAINING?
They aren’t always in-depth, comprehensive courses. After all, it would be nearly impossible to master all the skills required to be a top-notch driver in just a few weeks. The really big kicker here is you may find future employers will look negatively on paid cdl training programs. Some employers feel the training is insufficient and doesn’t meet their hiring standards. However, not ALL company sponsored programs are like this. There are some reputable programs.
The trucking companies who train will train you just enough that you can successfully pass your CDL and their goal is to do it in as little time as possible.
If the company isn’t a good fit for you, you are stuck for the duration of the time (could be 6 months, 1 year or even 2 years). If you leave the company, you will be legally obligated to pay back the trucking company for the driver training. They WILL collect from you. Although the private training schools offer government grants and various financial aid to help with the cost of driver training, not many people are eligible for the programs. Make no mistake, paid CDL training with a trucking company is going to be less of a cash outlay upfront, but don’t worry they’ll get their pound of flesh worth out of you. You are really paying either way so take the time to research a program before signing up. There are private CDL driver training schools which are completely independent from the big carriers. But generally they cost a fortune and at the end of the day when you graduate, there is no job guarantee. The three greatest advantages of going with company sponsored CDL training instead of a private school are:
RECOMMENDED PAID CDL TRAINING SCHOOLSOne of the most frequently asked question we hear is , “What are the best FREE TRUCK DRIVING SCHOOLS?” We recommend checking out these Company Sponsored CDL Schools.
We’ll be publishing in detail exactly why we ‘recommend’ checking out what these schools have to offer. **Check back often for updates, as we investigate/discover more programs which we feel good about recommending. Negativity Around CDL Training SchoolsBe careful about all of the negative comments online about the company CDL training schools. Most of the time, but not always, the person making the comment was most likely the one at fault for the bad experience. Often these poor experiences come from:
WORKING WITH A TRAINER DURING CDL TRAININGMost trucking company training programs stipulate that you run with a trainer in one truck for a period of time, in order to gain valuable practical experience behind the wheel. But, not ALL of them do, as we discovered, but most require this. While not exactly a disadvantage, you will need to work with a trainer – which can be a pain. Trainers are just part of life for a trainee. Like it or not. Living in a truck for a few weeks with a driver trainer can be a trying experience. Some trainers are better qualified and more skilled than others. Some do the job because they actually like it or enjoy the company of a second driver. Others do it solely for the money. Be aware that some driver trainers can be difficult to get along with, and it may be necessary to ask the trucking company for a different trainer, due to personality conflicts. However, be prepared to ride the wave with whoever you are assigned to as the company may not care about whether you get along with the trainer! DISADVANTAGES OF WORKING WITH A BIG CARRIERBe aware that when you sign up for your training with a mega carrier, they usually require you stay with their company for a year or so after your training is complete. This way, they can benefit from the training they’ve given you and recoup some of their investment. Unfortunately, that contractual year may pay poorly. Often, they don’t pay their senior drivers particularly well either. Working for a smaller carrier after you get some experience may be a good idea. Driving experience is what it’s all about in this industry. You may not have your choice of where you’re running for the first year or two you are with the trucking company. In fact, the first year or two CAN be quite challenging. But the object of the game is to get seat time and build experience. If you decide to jump ship because you don’t like working for them, at least wait until the contract expires with the carrier rather than get into a stressful legal hassle. When you sign up with the mega carrier for CDL training establish clearly from them how much money you will earn during your training period. So many trainees literally starve on these training programs. Training wages are often low. You need to know exactly how much money you’re going to be bringing home a week. Then you will know if this company-sponsored CDL training program will allow you to pay your bills. WHO WILL NOT BENEFIT FROM PAID CDL TRAINING?Driving schools will welcome you with open arms once you have signed on the dotted line….. no question there. However, there are some circumstances which will NOT make you a good candidate for one of these programs.
They may tell you it won’t be a problem, but in most cases, it IS a problem. The trucking companies are at the mercy of their insurance companies and if the insurance company rejects a driver, they cannot be hired. Don’t waste your time and money thinking you can outsmart the system or believe what the program rep tells you. Move on to another career where these circumstances will not stand in the way. WHAT ABOUT PAID CDL TRAINING FOR 18 YEAR OLDS?Most company sponsored training programs require the candidate be 21 years of age. If you’re under 21, you’ll need to wait a few years to apply for CDL training to become a truck driver. CHOOSING THE BEST PAID CDL TRAINING SCHOOLWhen looking for a training school, be certain to check out the details of the training program:
All of this information will have a bearing on your choice of training school. Try to choose a company which does the kind of work you are interested in. Otherwise, you may be unhappy right from the start. If you’re going to be working for them for the next year or two, it may as well be doing something where you’re reasonably happy. WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE YOU SIGN UP FOR FREE TRUCK DRIVING TRAININGBefore you sign up, here’s some words of advice. You’re in a for a major commitment and should be certain that it is what you want. It’s a great opportunity but one that may be difficult at first.
First and foremost, the initial training period can be difficult and stressful. It’s possible that you will be paired up with a driver trainer who isn’t particularly someone you like. They may even match you with a trainer who really isn’t very good at training whatsoever. It isn’t unusual to be paired with a driver trainer who only has a few years (or less) of driving experience. It can be stressful when you’re looking for new customers learning to maneuver that big truck down narrow city streets. You will worry about getting lost and you will worry about being able to find the customer. Making the delivery on time is always stressful. But, hang in there. The object of the game is to get lots and lots of behind the wheel time. These training programs are not a walk in the park. It’s going to be tough. Persevere. Stick to it.
Truck driver training wages are usually low for the trainee. It’s something you need to be aware of if you’re entertaining getting into a professional driving career. My intention is not to scare new drivers away from the industry but rather to help them succeed by understanding the trucking industry. If you are pursuing a career in trucking, be aware of what you’re getting into.
Mega carriers are often publicly traded companies. These trucking companies hate to lose one thin dime on anything they do. As a result of this, many mega carriers will now train a driver, hire them and then bill them for their training while using the driver to drive one of their trucks and make them even more money, all at the same time. (BEWARE OF LEASE OPERATOR PROGRAMS!) Be aware that starting wages for new drivers can be low. However, this differs from company to company. So when researching for a trucking company to start off your driving career, do the research. Get lots of detail about the training program and the associated costs. If you’re able, get this information from the trucking company in writing. Training time often can run into a few months, again, depending on the company. Do the calculations to be sure you’re still going to earn enough money during the training period to pay your bills.
If through your training period you’re being paid strictly by the mile and that’s usually the case, try to establish how many miles a week you can expect, so you can calculate your earnings. You will need to know how much you will earn during training BEFORE accepting an offer to go into a paid CDL training driving position, while you complete your training. This is important stuff to know. You’ve MUST be able pay your bills. You should at least be able to support you and your family. If it looks like the pay will be insufficient, tell the carrier and let him sweeten the pot. If that doesn’t work, look for another deal. There’s no point starving to death and having your family out on the street while you’re learning to drive a truck.
Be sure that you obtain in writing from the carrier.
Most of the most mega carriers pay poorly, but they are an initial stepping stone toward better paying jobs for you in the future. Think of the process as a ‘means to an end’ for desired career as a truck driver. DO WE THINK PAID CDL TRAINING IS A GOOD CHOICE?
IS PAID CDL TRAINING WORTH IT?
It sounds intimidating. But stay with it. If a career in truck driving is really what you want, hang in there. It WILL all work out. USE YOUR TRAINING TIME WISELY — RESEARCH THE TRUCKING COMPANY YOU WANT TO WORK FORTaking advantage of company-sponsored CDL training is a great way to get your license, get as much experience as you can, and get comfortable with the truck. Sometimes, the company you choose initially will have a great program and you may be happy to stay after your contract has ended. If you decide to look elsewhere for a job after you’ve completed your initial training period with the mega carrier, here are some things you may wish to consider that make a truck driving job more worthwhile:
Every dollar counts in this business and there aren’t dollars floating all over the place. Try to nail down a small carrier that pays well and pays you for all your time not just your mileage rate and they’re out there. I guarantee it. What Do I Need to Take With Me to CDL Company Training?This is a typical list of supplies you’ll need. If you are not living at home during the training, find out from your school what you should bring along.
What Happens If I Decide to Quit My Training?To be honest, CDL training at a company sponsored school is not a ‘walk in the park’. The programs consist of long days, sometimes rugged living conditions, often a low level of respect from trainers and management. Your patient will no doubt be put to the test. You may be subjected to humiliation and verbal abuse as well. Not all programs are guilty of this, but many trainees and graduates we have interviewed agree that it was the worst part of their truck driving career. HOWEVER, keep your eye on the prize. It’s only for a short time. But, also know when enough is enough and you’re being pushed beyond normal limits. Once you are on the road with your designated trainer, it will be too late to avoid getting hit with the entire training costs, if you drop out of the program. If you find that you cannot tolerate the mistreatment and things are in a bad state, put on the brakes. My suggestion is to do this before hitting the road with your assigned trainer. At least then, the money you would owe to the company can be pro-rated to the time you’ve already spent in training. You’ll most likely owe them some money for the few weeks or so you’ve been training, but not the whole program.
F.A.Q. – Paid CDL TrainingWhat is Company Sponsored CDL Training? These programs are quite popular in the U.S. Are There Any Costs For These Programs? Yes, there will be some costs involved along the way, but very minimal. Each program has different items students are expected to pay for, for example meals, accommodations, learner’s permit etc.Count on an extra few hundred dollars to pay for miscellaneous fees. (This is not including food + accommodation)MOST programs include a form of housing or accommodation. Although I understand that some companies advance students meal money and then deduct it back in small amounts, once they are getting pay checks when they start their actual driving job. How Long Are These Training Programs? You’ll be fast tracked through the program. After all, time is money and money is time.Each program is different. The range is from 17 days (the super accelerated programs) to 6 weeks.Keep this in mind. You’ll be training without an income. Remember that. Plan accordingly. What Are the Requirements To Be Accepted to One of These Programs? Each program is different, but these are common standards:21 years of age What Is My Obligation to the Trucking Company After Training + Getting my CDL? Although these programs are often called ‘free CDL training’ or ‘free CDL schools’, this is not the case. Yes, there is little to no money up front or fees charged to get your Commercial Driver’s License in this way. If you successfully complete the course and get your license, the trucking company will offer you a driving job. But here’s the kicker. In exchange for the training the company has provided for you, they’ll hire you, but you must stay with them for a set period of time. The time period is usually about 12 months, sometimes longer, depending on the company. hould you decide to bail and say ‘To HECK with it, I’m not staying with this company!”, you will find yourself in a legal bind. The trucking company will ask you to repay them for the training they gave you. If you don’t pay up, they will pursue you legally. So my advice to you is this. So my advice to you is this. If you enter one of these company sponsored training schools, take the time to do your research first, in order that you train with a decent company, which will treat you well and give you a decent pay after training. Is There Company Sponsored CDL Training in Canada? At the present time, there are no company sponsored programs open for enrolment in Canada.Schneider has a program which is presently on hold and not accepting applications at this time. Check back in the future for updates on reinstatement of this program. Dealing With Trainers Dealing with your trainer can be challenging for a trainee.The best advice I can give is to hang in there. It’s only a short stint. It’s difficult to share a small space with another person, no matter who it is for weeks at a time. Try your best to get along and be professional.If your trainer is jeopardizing your safety, don’t hesitate to ask him to change his/her behaviour. Don’t hesitate to report the behaviour immediately to a superior. What About Lease Operator Programs at the End of My Training? What else can I say but, “DON’T DO IT!” You are just getting started in the trucking industry. The last thing you need is to be managing a trucking business as a new truck driver.Stay away from these programs!!! What About Company Sponsored CDL Training For Felons? Each training school handles accepting felons into their program differently.Mostly their decision is based on a case-by-case basis.In the midst of a truck driver shortage, the odds of a company accepting you are better than ever.These are some of the circumstances carriers will look at:No pending cases Is Paid CDL Training Worth It? It depends on your situation. It provides for almost no money required, CDL training + a job. That’s what you’re after right? Which Trucking Companies Have the Best Program? Excellent question. But you may not be happy with my answer. There’s no way anyone could give you straight up recommendations for the best free CDL training + a job programs, unless they attended a number of the programs and were able to compare them.If you read that some program is great, check out the source. Who SAYS it’s great?Is it the trucking company who owns the school? Is it a third party who is making money to say how great the training is?Be careful what you believe.All of the training programs are long hard training and learning days for weeks on end.Some are better than others.We are currently investigating a number of these programs to give you a fair and honest report, which ones are worthy of further investigation. What is the easiest CDL to get?So, if you're still wondering what the easiest state to get a CDL in is, just know it includes Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Indiana, and South Carolina, because that's where our schools are located.
Is CDL driving hard?Truck Driving Can Be Hard, But Rewarding
Truck driving isn't always easy, but once you complete TDI's three-week truck driving school and launch your career on the road, the benefits far outweigh the challenges. A career in truck driving is a unique experience and defies the demands of a normal office job.
What do I have to do to get my CDL in Florida?All applicants for a Commercial Driver License are required to have an Operator's License, pass the vision requirements, and pass knowledge and skills tests. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age. If they are under 21, they will be restricted to intrastate operation only.
Does Michigan Works pay for truck driving school?Michigan Works Approved
You may qualify for a one-time government grant to help you pay for a portion or the entire tuition amount for training. You would not be required to pay back the grant. If you qualify, the approval process usually takes a few weeks to complete.
|