How to Choose a Truck Driver Training School:

kickin chicken

Batteries Not Included
To get the most out of your educational
experience, do your homework and make an
informed decision before making a
commitment.

The following list of “enrollment
tips” is provided to assist students in determining what steps they may want to take when considering enrollment in a truck driver training course:

1. INVESTIGATE THE SCHOOL
YOURSELF, BEFORE ENROLLING.
Prior to enrolling, take a tour of the school. Ask if the school will let you sit in or observe the class, equipment, practice yard... You can even talk with other students to get their feedback.

2. CONTACT THE BUREAU TO SEE IF THE SCHOOL IS APPROVED TO OPERATE AND WHETHER THERE IS A RECORD OF DISCIPLINE.
Watch out for schools that are not approved by the Bureau, schools that have had an extreme number of complaints in a short amount of time, or have a record of discipline (e.g., probation, suspension). If the school is not approved, you could end up with a diploma or degree that is not recognized and a lot of debt and little, or no education. A school with a high number of complaints or a record of discipline may indicate that the school is not meeting minimum standards for instructional quality or institutional stability.

3. Ask what their student pass ratio is. Also if they offer job placement assistance. Which companies they place with.
Some school's are partial to certain trucking companies. Don't let them limit who you may choose to work for.

4. CONTACT THE ACCREDITING
AGENCY THAT THE SCHOOL CLAIMS
TO HAVE ACCREDITATION FROM AND VERIFY THE SCHOOL’S CLAIMS.
To qualify for some state licensing
examinations or for your degree to be
recognized by certain employers, some educational programs and training must be
obtained from a school that maintains
“accreditation” from a U.S. Department of
Education recognized accrediting agency.

For more informationabout accreditation and to obtain a list of Regional and National Accrediting Agencies, visit the U.S. Department of Education Web site at:
http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/
accred/index.html.

5. MAKE SURE YOU KNOW THE
AMOUNT AND TYPES OF FINANCIAL
AID AVAILABLE
There are several options in obtaining
financial aid to attend a school. Make sure
you know whether you are going to receive
or need Federal student loans, Pell grants,
private loans or a combination of grants
and loans, and understand what the
advantages and disadvantages are of
obtaining each type of loan or grant. Make
sure you know the total amount of loans
you are to receive. Match the amount of the
loans against the total cost of tuition. For
more information on financial aid, contact
Your local Employment Security Commission (ESC), local Workforce or Career Source centers.

6. KEEP A COPY OF YOUR
DOCUMENTS!
Keep a copy of all contracts, policies, catalogs, disciplinary actions, attendance records, letters you’ve written to the school, etc.
In the future, you may need to verify your payment obligations, any refunds owed to
you by the school, or the educational services that you contracted to receive
from the school.


Visit the U.S. Department of Education Web
site at:
http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/
accred/index.html
 
Good information, but I would add a couple of things.

Do your research on the companies and get prehires from those companies. Find out from them if the CDL School(s) you are interested in attending are approved by them. Rule out any and all schools that are not approved by your prospective employer. Find out what their training program is like. How long will you be out with a trainer. An excellent training program will go far to make up for what is not taught in a CDL School.

Your first year as a truck driver will be tough. Most will not make much money. You need to keep your expenses low. I would suggest finding a school that is close to home, so you can sleep in your own bed at night, thereby keeping your expenses as low as possible.
 
Good information, but I would add a couple of things.

Do your research on the companies and get prehires from those companies. Find out from them if the CDL School(s) you are interested in attending are approved by them. Rule out any and all schools that are not approved by your prospective employer. Find out what their training program is like. How long will you be out with a trainer. An excellent training program will go far to make up for what is not taught in a CDL School.

Your first year as a truck driver will be tough. Most will not make much money. You need to keep your expenses low. I would suggest finding a school that is close to home, so you can sleep in your own bed at night, thereby keeping your expenses as low as possible.
Very good tips, Terry!

Your post reminded me of an important tip.

Get pre hires prior to enrolling in a school. Make sure your MVR is acceptable
Many schools will greedily accept a student, especially their deposit, just to turn the student down later for too many infractions/charges on their MVR's.
Background checks can also eliminate a student.
I've seen, too many times, a student get expelled for failing a drug test. Expect to be tested day one of class and random testing from there on.
Be prepared for all the obstacles that can hinder your initial training!
 

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