5 Tips for Choosing a Truck-Driving School

By Admin
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18 Jan, 2018
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Enrolling in a truck-driving school is the first step to becoming a professional truck driver. As the initial step, the school you select has a major impact on your future driving career. Here's how to choose a truck-driving school that will prepare you for a successful career in the trucking industry.

Consider the Cost of Tuition

You must take into account the cost of tuition when enrolling in any educational program, and truck-driving school is no different.

You don't necessarily want to select the cheapest program, as a more expensive program may provide better training and resources. You should, however, only enroll in a program that you can afford. If you can't pay tuition, you might find yourself unable to complete the training.

If finances are holding you back from enrolling in truck-driving school, contact the schools in your area and ask whether any nearby employers offer subsidized training programs. Some employers will pay for you to complete truck-driving school if you promise to work for the employer afterward. This is a way to afford tuition no matter how tight money is.

Ask About the Instructor's Experience

The best instructor will be one who has years (if not decades) of experience driving trucks, and they'll have driven all kinds of trucks. While any qualified instructor will be able to help you pass your end-of-class exams and road test, only instructors who have worked in the industry will have real-life experience to pass down for after you're driving a truck.

For example, you'll be faced with unexpected or unusual situations when interacting with customers, picking up shipments, and stopping at rest areas. An instructor who has been there and done that cantell you what to expect once you're driving, and they'll have advice on how to handle challenging circumstances.

Seek Out a Comprehensive Program

While there are some programs that offer a limited scope of training, you'll be better off going to a comprehensive truck-driving program. Even if you don't think you'll want to drive tractor trailers, hazmat, or heavy load trucks now, having the training to do these more demanding jobs will give you more options in the future. You never know when you might want to pursue them.

Check Job Placement Statistics

The purpose of enrolling in truck-driving school is to land a job in the industry, so asking about a school's job placement statistics is fair. Make sure the school you select has placed most or all of its graduates in industry positions, and ask what types of jobs those people are working now. Check to see whether these are jobs you'd be happy with.

In addition to checking the job placement statistics, you should also ask what job-hunting resources a school provides. Until you're working in the industry, the school will be your main source for job information and assistance. Search for a school that will keep you notified of job openings, help you write a resume, and work with you on interviewing skills.

Look at Road-Test Passing Rates and Assistance

You can also ask about a truck driving school's road-test statistics. Find out how many students pass their road test on the first try, and see what type of assistance a school provides if a student fails their road test.

The ideal school will have a high first-try passing rate and offer help for drivers who don't initially pass. In addition to remedial training, a school should also let students use school equipment until they pass the road test. Such a school will work with you until you're able and ready to enter the trucking industry on your own.

To sign up for truck-driving classes, contact us at Commercial Trucking School.

5 Tips for Choosing a Truck-Driving School

Consider the Cost of Tuition

Ask About the Instructor's Experience

Seek Out a Comprehensive Program

Check Job Placement Statistics

Look at Road-Test Passing Rates and Assistance

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