This list is prepared with a little humor, but you will certainly see the point I am trying to make with each item on the list. Also, let’s not forget that this may be delivered in a humorous light, but choosing the right place to get quality CDL training can be a matter of life and death.

Schools that will leave you penny less:

1. If you go to a truck driving school that never tells you how much the training is going to cost you are going to be penny less. I bet your saying, “There is no way that can’t happen.” I assure you it does. Signing up for truck driving school for many people is exciting, so some people get a little too excited and forget to ask all the questions. Just remember not to sign anything until you know what they are really getting and for how much.
2. You will find a bad school by choosing trucking schools that negotiate the fee for training. If you feel like you’re getting the used car salesman pitch, just remember you probably are. Whenever a school is negotiating you have question their motives.

Schools that leave you without a job:

1. You’ll recognize a bad school when you get your training from a trucking school that has old equipment and equipment in disrepair. You most certainly are going to end up unemployed if you choose one of these schools. Learning on outdated equipment or learning on uncommon equipment will set you up for failure. Very few fleet tractors are old.
2. Also, if you choose a school that will only train students to drive automatic transmissions. That’s right some schools offer training on automatic transmissions. Learning on equipment that is sub standard will just leave you looking for more training. Very few fleet tractors have automatic transmissions so this will be a great indicator.
3. They offer training but cannot offer job placement or job a guarantee. Remember that once you have a license, you’re going to need a job. Learning from the local mom and pop trucking school might lead you right back to the unemployment lines. The catch is this time you’ll have even less money.

With this list you should be armed with great information. Many truck driving school students fall into the hands of low quality trucking schools. Almost every time the students’ story matches up with one of the items above. If you are looking into the driving profession avoid the truck driving schools that match up the list above.

The schooling began with nothing but classroom study for the first week or two. If you decide to attend driving school at a trucking company….let the propaganda begin! They won’t waste any chance at promoting themselves, believe me. They will also make you feel like it is your privilege to be working for them. Get used to that. Now here’s your first piece of raw truth about the industry… companies are completely and totally desperate for truck drivers. I mean DESPERATE!

Were you ever offered a $2000 bonus just to come work for a company? Did you ever have a company offer to pay for all of your schooling if you will come work for them when you graduate? Why would someone offer such an insane amount of money just for you to come work there? They don’t even know you! They have no idea what you’re capable of! You don’t even have any experience! They don’t really care.

These bonuses are common at the larger trucking companies. Sure they HOPE you’re gonna be an outstanding truck driver, but more than anything they just desperately need your butt in one of their trucks. Period.

Well, turnover is a huge problem in the trucking industry. A driver with a clean record, even a driver straight out of school, can land literally hundreds or even thousands of jobs at any time and everybody knows that, drivers and companies alike.

So in order to put themselves in a position of authority, which is a falsity, they may try to keep you on pins and needles by implying that your job is always on the line. One false move and you could be fired. This is one of the HUGE mistakes that companies make…. its simply not true.

All that they really accomplish by trying to scare you is filling you with a lack of trust and loyalty towards them. Most large companies are full of drivers that have hit bridges, rolled trucks, been late for deliveries, and on and on. Does this mean you won’t ever get fired? Certainly not. I’ve been fired a few times by idiots I’ve never met on some committee making decisions based on little or no real facts or understanding about me or my situation.

But getting another job, as long as you’ve never had a DUI or killed somebody, is really easy…so don’t let them snow you into thinking your career is always on the line… it’s a bluff. Lose your job and you can have ten new ones tomorrow. Simple as that.