Students
should be fully aware of truck driving school scams. Some schools offer
training programs that are extremely overpriced. Students of these
schools will end up going into serious debt just to pay for their
training. Students also need to be aware that there are schools which
are owned by trucking companies that require the students to load and
unload trucks and warehouses, without pay for the company, during time
when they are not attending school. This is a form of tuition
compensation. Some schools will also misrepresent their business
connections with trucking companies, promising the students jobs after
their graduation. No school can guarantee all students a job. There are
quite a few schools that offer students fast training. Those schools
simply don't meet state licensing requirements, and don't adequately
qualify students for truck driving jobs. The cost of tuition is
naturally a major concern when selecting a truck driving school. Some
schools offer several forms of tuition assistance for students, and
there are some that don't. Privately owned schools may or may not meet
the requirements for financial aid. Public institutions such as
community colleges do meet the requirements for financial aid. They
also offer grants and loans to offset tuition costs. Students shouldn't
sign contracts that bind them into a financial agreement they don't
understand or don't have the means of paying or repaying. There are
some trucking companies contracted with truck driving schools that pay
for tuition, housing and travel arrangements. Tuition reimbursement is
applicable only if the students graduate, are hired by that company and
remain with the company for at least a year. If for any unforeseen
reason a student doesn't graduate or the newly employed driver doesn't
remain with the company, accrued tuition expenses from the school then
become the responsibility of the student/driver.
Choosing the best school will mean that you will succeed
in passing
your CDL and that you start out in your new career as a safe,
dependable, and qualified driver. It is a very good idea for students
to check with the Better Business Bureau or any other consumer
protection agency, for complaints that have been filed against a school
that is being considered. This small step can save you from making a
big mistake. Knowledge is the key issue here, which will allow you to
make an informed decision when selecting the best truck driving school.
There is a golden rule for students who are looking for
a truck driving
school, and that is to "know before you go."
The task of making an informed decision should be based on your
research and the process of elimination. Spend some time and do as much
research and verifying as possible. This can mean making sure that the
chosen school is in compliance with the rules and regulations of the
state in which it operates. If applicable, choose a school that meets
the demands of trucking companies that pre-hire students. A school
known to go the extra mile to ensure that graduating students are
successful candidates for the trucking industry job market would be the
perfect school.
If it is at all possible, try to visit prospective truck
driving
schools way ahead of the enrollment date before deciding to attend. A
well-established school would more than likely provide an informative
tour for prospective students. The tour should provide a general idea
on how the school operates, as well as an opportunity for intending
students to ask questions, and have them answered face-to-face by
staff, trainers and graduates.
Sam Ness writes
about truck driving industry related issues. He often talks to truck
driving school graduates and then writes about their experiences. Truck Driving Schools In
The USA