People who hold a commercial driving license (CDL) are currently in high demand because most freight, produce, inventory, and materials are transported from place to place by trucks. Learning the skills needed, and passing a CDL test can translate to high earning potential, the chance to travel, and flexibility regarding job opportunities and schedules. There are jobs for local drivers, regional drivers, and cross country drivers. Courses, tuition, financing options, and services differ from school to school, so there are many things potential students should know about CDL Schools.
The first thing to know is that not all schools are the same. Some offer limited courses, many require a full time commitment, classroom time and driving time differ, some have residential facilities, and others do not. Tuition varies, as does what is included in the price of the course. Some CDL Schools have lower tuition for courses, for example, but do not include books, the cost of a permit, or other costs. It is important to know exactly what is included in the cost of a course.
Requirements for a permit are a Department of Transportation (DOT) physical examination, a driving record from the students’ State of residence, and a DOT drug screening test. There are also fees for getting the permit. If the cost of tuition does not include any of those costs, the student will have to pay for them out of pocket. That lower tuition in that case, may no longer be a bargain. Some schools do not offer job placement services. They are not essential, but can expedite getting a job once the course is completed and a license is obtained.
Find out what courses are offered before deciding on a particular school. If the goal is to drive a single commercial vehicle, like a delivery van or straight commercial truck, a Class B CDL is all that is required. That course is less extensive that a Class A CDL, which allows people to drive tractor trailer trucks, is often times less expensive, and not as intense. If a school does not offer a Class B course, people may end up paying more money for a Class A course that they really do not need to take. Go to Website for more information.
