Face it, truck driving school is not cheap and it can
be hard to manage the financial burden of truck driving school if you
have not been saving up for the financial expense. If you dream of
being an owner operator on the open highways of this greatest nation on
God's green earth, listen up, we have some essential tips that may help
you accomplish your truck driver training requirements without draining
your bank account.
Research and locate progressive trucking companies.
Recent
statistics indicate that the over the road truck driver shortage is
close to 80,000 in this country alone. One way to get the training you
need without having to take out a second mortgage on you home is to go
with Carrier Sponsored Training. Other than a clean driving record and
no felony convictions during the last year, most trucking companies
require little to no experience, no tuition down payments and fast
turnaround time for getting your license. Just make sure you get all of
the basics you need to safely operate the vehicle on the open road.
Tuition reimbursements are common throughout the
trucking industry.
Other
training facilities offer tuition reimbursements plans through the
carrier company provided you work for them at least a year after
completion of training. This is a good option since you are guaranteed
a position after graduation and will get your tuition reimbursed in the
process. These schools may have some stricter requirements like
background checks, the ability to pass a DOT physical and drug test, as
well as having no felony convictions in the last seven years or
currently being on parole.
Look for truck driving schools and trucking companies
that make safety a priority.
Safety
is top priority for first rate truck driving schools and trucking
companies. If safety training is a major part of the truck driving
school's curriculum and is mentioned multiple times during your
interview, rest assured that you are in the right place. You want to
make sure the training you receive will keep you (and others) safe on
the road.
Regardless of what route your choose to finance your
truck driving education, do your research and make sure you are
comfortable with the terms - i.e. job placement in lieu of tuition,
carrier sponsored training, etc. We encourage you to talk to at least
3-5 truck driving schools, check graduate references and speak to the
truck driving school career counseling department before you make your
final decision.