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Truck Driving Schools

  • Truck Driving Schools

A new trucking career is closer than you think

Our nation needs more truckers. There aren’t enough trained professionals now to satisfy job demands, so it’s a great time to get moving in the trucking industry. Let us help connect you with CDL training schools near you.

Right now, nearly 70% of all freight tonnage moved in the U.S. goes on trucks.* And as the economy grows, the need for truck drivers will too. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that there will be over 400,000 job openings between 2016 and 2026.** If you’re ready to jump in the fast lane and head for a lucrative career, let us help you find a CDL training school.

CDL driving schools get you there.

What Will I Learn at a CDL Training School?

A quality CDL driving school will provide an average of about 180 hours of training time, in the vehicle and in the classroom. You will get behind the wheel on-site before you ever hit the road in the truck. During this training, you will learn the basics of:

  • Driving
  • Turning
  • Backing up
  • Maneuvering
  • Changing Lanes

The driving and travel is the exciting part of a trucking career, but there is also bookwork that needs to be done and done correctly. In addition to your BTW (Behind The Wheel) time, instructors will teach other valuable topics such as:

  • Map Reading
  • GPS/Digital Map Use
  • Logbooks/e-Logbooks
  • Rules of the road (written and unwritten)
  • State and federal regulations
  • Ideal business practices (Scheduling, routes, organization)
  • Safety

What Are the Requirements to Enroll at a CDL Training School Near Me?

It is relatively easy to get started at a CDL driving school. Enrollment can usually be done online, and you just need to meet the following requirements:

  • Be at least 21 years of age
  • Have a valid driver’s license
  • Have an absolutely clean and stellar driving record
  • Have a social security card
  • Have a means of payment for the CDL training school

There are a number of options for payment of tuition, and you can discuss these with a truck driving school near you. One more very important requirement is your CDL Learner’s Permit. There are online study guides and links to each state’s CDL Handbook to help you prepare for your CDL permit exam. CDL training schools will help you learn the varying requirements of each state through which you may one day haul a load.


How Will a Career in Trucking Benefit Me?

Each company has a different benefits package that may include the usual things like health insurance, paid days off, and retirement investment, but the best benefits of a trucking career are:

  • Good pay with the potential for bonuses: There is a shortage of truckers, and it can be a tough job with long hours, so employers are willing to pay their good haulers a decent salary to ensure a job well done and loyalty to the company.
  • Get paid to travel: If you long to see the country but can’t find the time to travel, set up your windshield as your office window and make a living while seeing the sights of the world.
  • Flexible schedule: It may take a little time with the company to see this benefit, but once you’ve earned your stripes, you may be able to work a schedule that fits your home and leisure life a little better.
  • Constant change and challenge: As a trucker, you will never get bored. Your “office” is always changing: the weather, the scenery, the traffic, the people, and the loads.

What Is a Day in the Life of a Trucker Like?

There are no better lessons than from those who learned from the asphalt cowboys and have many miles on their tires. A quick glimpse into the daily life on the road as a long-haul trucker may give you a better idea if trucking is the job for you.

You can work a maximum of 14 straight hours, and only 11 of those can be driving time, so you’ll want and need to plan your hauls efficiently. Safety must always be your first priority. Plan your route and determine if day or night travel will be best. Always check the weather forecast before you head out so you know what to expect. Do a thorough inspection of your vehicle and any equipment using a written inspection checklist so nothing is missed.

Once you start your logbook or e-log, your 14 hours starts. It is vitally important for you to take breaks, and you should have them scheduled ahead of time. When you first start your drive, you can travel a little longer without a break because you should be fresh. The further into your 14-hour-day, the shorter your BTW time should be between breaks, for your safety and the safety of others on the road.

Of course, we all know that drives, and thus hauls, do not always go exactly as planned thanks to weather, traffic, and construction, but try to stick to a schedule as much as possible. Have a final destination for the evening planned, and make sure it is someplace where you can be comfortable and safe. You must take at least 10 hours of time off before starting your next 14-hour stint, so plan accordingly and use the time well. Get some exercise, have a nice healthy meal, find some quiet time, and get some good rest.

It’s time for you to hit the open road and start enjoying a life of travel and reward. Enroll in a CDL training school to gain the knowledge and experience you need to get your Commercial Driver’s License and begin an exciting career in trucking today.

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*http://www.trucking.org/News_and_Information_Reports_Industry_Data.aspx
**https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/projections-occupation.htm


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