CDL or Commercial Driving License, is a crucial document required for operating large or heavy vehicles. CDL training prepares one for a career in professional truck driving in the country. Here, one would learn about certain truck driving guidelines, which are issued by the Department of Transportation and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Additionally, one has to be prepared to meet a few requirements and acquire key skills to earn a commercial driver’s license.

For starters, one should meet the residency requirements and medical norms to apply for the license. Apart from that, the individual should have the specific knowledge and relevant skills to pass the test. There are three different types of commercial driving licenses, which differ according to the type of vehicle.

Drivers with professional truck driver’s licenses are in high demand in the country’s job market. They are well-paid as well. They can work as drivers of trucks, school vans, moving vans, tractors, etc. Therefore, there are many takers for CDL training courses.

There are various steps that can help one decide on the right truck driving school. Additionally, one must know a few key details before choosing a commercial driver’s license training school.

How to get a truck driving license?

• Get the CDL manual to acquire the relevant information about the CDL of the given state. It can be downloaded and printed from the website.
• Decide which type of commercial vehicle license is required.
• Check whether you meet the requirements to go for the driving test.
• Pick a CDL training school.
• Get the training and pass the test to become a commercial driving license holder.

What are the factors to consider when choosing a CDL training school?

• Tuition fees
• Location of the training school
• Quality of the training
• Accreditation of the training school
• Qualification of the instructors and trainers at the school
• The reputation of the training school and the number of years of functioning
• Membership to CDL organizations

Does an expensive cost structure ensure a better quality education?

• This is not necessarily the case. Choose the school that gives the best value for money.
• Do not blindly choose a CDL training school that offers training at cheap rates.
• The CDL driving schools have to bear the cost of equipment, fuel, building, salaries of instructors, etc.; hence, you will have to pay the fees. Do not get fooled by institutes that advertise that they offer free training.

What are the different forms of financial assistance available for CDL training?
Students can avail different financial assistance programs, which are as follows:

• Student loans
• Reimbursement of tuition fees
• Veteran’s education program
• Scholarship or grants
• Government funded programs
• Trucking partnership programs
• Employer tuition reimbursement
• Dislocated worker programs
• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available for students enrolled at the relevant technical schools, colleges, etc.

What questions should you ask before choosing a CDL training school?

• Do they provide job placement assistance?
• For how many hours do they provide practical training?
• Do they provide financial assistance if required?
• What types of financial aid do they accept?
• What are the different courses available at the training school?
• What is the type of truck driving training they offer?
• Do they offer training on manual transmission trucks or automatic transmission trucks?
• What is the student-teacher ratio?
• What is the pass rate of the CDL training institution?
• What is the curriculum for the training course?
• Which equipments are used while training?

Popular CDL training schools in the country
One can start by considering some of the well-known brands among CDL training schools in the country.

• American Driver Training Academy
• Suncoast Trucking Academy
• Leeward Community College
• SAGE Truck Driving School
• White Line CDL Training
• Diesel Driving Academy
• Michigan Truck Driving School
• United States Truck Driving School

What are the different courses available?
There are different types of classes available in CDL training.

• Basic truck driver courses
• Refresher courses
• Weekend courses
• Advanced courses
• Night-time courses