Trucking Tips

 

So, you’ve decided to become a commercial truck driver, and now it is time to choose a truck driving school. It may be tempting to choose an inexpensive or quick trucking school to get you out on the road as fast and easily as possible, but you have to be careful. Not all trucking schools are created equal, and if you choose the wrong one, it could have real implications on your career; it could even cost you a future job.

In fact, some trucking businesses have a list of schools they will not hire students from. So, when you are choosing your school, don’t just choose the one that seems easy or close to home. Be sure to do your research and know what to look for. In this article, we will list all of the questions you should ask about your potential truck driving school to make your search a little easier.

Is it Accredited?

Is your trucking school accredited and approved by the U.S. Department of Education? If the school is accredited, you will know that the school is keeping up with its curriculum and will be recognized across the country as a valid school to earn your Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) from.

Will I Earn a Certification?

Earning your CDL is the primary reason one goes to trucking school. Without this certification, you will not be eligible for a truck driving job in the U.S., which means you’ve wasted your time and money at school. Be sure your school offers certifications at the end of your program.

Is this School Cost Effective?

There is a lot that goes into becoming a truck driver, and lot of it can be very expensive. To become a commercial truck driver, you need to earn a permit, go through a drug screening process, acquire insurance, and many other things. It is important that your school’s tuition reflects the services it provides. If your school covers everything you need in one flat fee, you can expect it to cost more than a school that doesn’t cover permits and drug screening. Be sure you check into exactly what your school covers, and look out for hidden fees.

Does the School Offer Enough Driving Time?

In driving school, you need at least 44 hours of actual driving time to gain your CDL. This does not include observation time, however. Some schools may want to skimp on your driving time to make room for more students, which could hurt you in the long run. So, when you are choosing your school, you must make sure they offer you enough time behind the wheel to earn your license.

Is the Equipment Up to Date and Well Kept?

We have all been to schools with antiquated tools and equipment. When attending a trucking school, it is imperative that the equipment be up to date and regularly maintained. It is also very important that you learn how to drive using the same kind of equipment you will be using on the job. Find a school that provides extensive, real-world experience behind the wheel as opposed to virtual practice in front of a computer screen.

Is the School Itself Well Kept?

Just like the trucks, the school you choose to attend should be clean, updated and accessible. You will want to choose a school that has the adequate classroom tools, from audio-visual capabilities to fast wireless internet, a library, and a practice driving range with experienced instructors to help teach you. Be sure you set yourself up for success by choosing a school with everything you need.

Does the School Offer Financing Options?

Trucking school is not cheap. Many students will need to choose a financial aid option to get through the program. Only reputable schools that are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education will be able to offer financial assistance, and the benefits vary for each school. Most schools have a variety of loans, grants, scholarships, and military benefits that you should see if you qualify for.

How Experienced are the Instructors?

When learning any new subject, you want to learn it from someone who is experienced in the field themselves, and trucking is no exception. If your teachers have spent little time behind the wheel of the big rig, they may not be prepared to answer your questions or give good instruction. As a rule of thumb, be sure your teachers have at least three years of truck driving experience before you enroll in their classes.

Does the School Offer Placement Assistance?

The whole point of going to trucking school is to get your CDL and then get a great trucking job. And while no school can ensure you a job after graduation, any extra help in the job hunt is a great start. Check and see if your school offers placement assistance to its recent grads. Additionally, it is a great idea to see what their placement rate is. For example, do 98% of graduates earn a trucking job within three months of graduation? That would be a great sign that the trucking school is producing excellent drivers.

How Long is the Program?

Trucking is not something you can learn overnight. If a school is offering a week-long crash course in trucking, the school is not worth your time. Be sure the program you choose is at least three weeks long to give you enough time to learn everything you need to know as well as allow for enough practice time behind the wheel.

What is the Student to Truck Ratio?

It doesn’t matter how great the equipment is if you are having to share a truck with eight other students. This will equate to little time behind the wheel and a lot of time waiting around while other students practice. The best schools will limit their class size to ensure each student has their own truck to practice in.

There is a lot to consider when choosing the right trucking school for you. However, it is important to take the time to choose a school that meets all of your needs and gets you started on your path to becoming a commercial truck driver.

 

After you obtain your CDL, let us know if you need any help financing your commercial vehicle. It doesn’t matter if you’re a first time buyer or have bad credit; Mission Financial has got you covered.

There are many understandable reasons why you may have decided to get your commercial driving license. Having your CDL opens your career options to a wide range of public service professions and prepares you to become a truck driver as an owner-operator or with companies. Read more to learn the steps you’ll take toward earning your commercial driver’s license, including driving courses, regulations and commercial truck financing options.

Why Get A CDL?

Many people pursue their CDL for financial security. Entry level drivers start at about $30,000 dollars a year, but as drivers gain experience this number rises. Experienced drivers can make up to $50,000 or $60,000 per year. While semi truck driving and cargo transportation is the most common reason to earn your CDL, it isn’t the only job opportunity that comes along with the license. Garbage men, firemen, bus drivers, commercial grain haulers, tow truck drivers and more all need commercial driver’s licenses. A commercial vehicle is generally defined as any vehicle with a GVWR of 10,000 lbs or more pounds or any vehicle designed to transport more than 16 people including the driver. It’s easy to imagine how many careers you can pursue with a commercial driving license in the transportation industry. So where do you start?

Check Out State Regulations Where You Live

In addition to federal requirements, every state has slightly different rules and regulations for obtaining your commercial driver’s license. The first step will be to identify the requirements for your state. A good place to start is with the federal minimum requirements, listed below:

• Have a valid regular (non-commercial) driver’s license and be at least 18 years old to travel within our state (in most states).
• Be at least 21 years old:
  • To drive a commercial motor vehicle across state lines (interstate).
  • To drive a commercial motor vehicle that contains hazardous materials.
• Supply proof of lawful citizenship and residency
  • Social security card or birth certificate.
• You’ll need to pass background screens.
• You can’t have current driver’s license suspensions or revocations in any state.
• Must surrender your regular state driver license once you earn a CDL.
• Can’t have a driver’s license in more than one state.
• Be able to speak and read English to drive a CMV in the United States. The written exams are only given in English.

Beyond these basic federal requirements, your state may have other things to make note of before you can work in commercial transportation. For example, in Georgia, there is an application fee of $35 and a $10 fee when you are given the license. Additionally, in Georgia you are not required to take CDL classes, however it is often recommended that you do. You’re more likely to pass your test the first time and have a better understanding of the knowledge you need for the road. This means you’ll be on the road truck driving sooner.

Types of CDL

There are three classes of CDL, based on different weight and seating standards. A class A CDL is required to professionally drive trucks with a greater GVWR than 10,000 pounds. Class B is for operating a vehicle of that size or pulling another vehicle of that size. Class C licenses are for driving buses with more than 16 passengers. Many professional drivers will actually obtain all of these. You can also earn “endorsements” in addition to your license that solidify your qualifications to drive school buses, tanker trucks, and passenger transport vehicles like tour buses. For example, a truck driver with a class A license can also drive other class B and C vehicles if endorsements are added.

Submit the Application

Once you’ve checked the regulations and required documents for a CDL in your state, you’ll be ready to fill out and submit your application. You can submit this application at your local DMV, and as always it’s recommended that you make an appointment to avoid a long wait at the DMV. You’ll then take your written test before you are given a permit and later, a road skills test.

Just like a regular driver’s permit, you’ll take your written test at the DMV and it will be scored immediately on the spot. If you pass this initial written exam, you’ll be issued your permit. The permit is what will allow you to practice driving and learn your road skills alongside a professional, usually from a driving school. Before you take your CDL test, you’ll need to practice your driving with a qualified license holder in the car with you.

Taking a Driving Course

It’s true that not all states require commercial driving school to gain your CDL. However, many states do, and the class will only benefit you on the road. Just like earning a regular driver’s license at 16, a permit is required first before you’ll be given a full commercial driver’s license. You earn your permit by passing a few written exams. Truck driving classes will teach you everything you need to learn to obtain your permit and then your license. Trucking schools can cost anywhere between $1,500 and $8,000. The classes usually last around eight weeks, and teach you the following necessary skills:

• Vehicle Systems
• Road Operations
• Operating Systems
• Documentation

Driving school classes are specific to the class of license you’d like to get, so that you’ll be as equipped as possible to drive a semi truck (Class A). Certain driving schools or classes may have their own requirements for admission, particularly medical health standards such as 20/40 vision, healthy hearing, and cardiac health. You’ll also probably take a drug test upon admission as well.  Once you follow through your courses, you’ll be ready to schedule your road skills test. Passing your road skills test in the car with the examiner will be your final step in receiving your official license, excluding any additional endorsements you want to pursue. The steps in every state vary, so depending on where you live there may be varying required forms or time restrictions associated with this process.

Financing Your Commercial Vehicle

When you do receive your commercial driver’s license, you’ll eventually be ready to finance a semi truck. Because semi trucks are more expensive than most people can purchase outright, you’ll likely need to take on a commercial vehicle loan. Factors like your credit, current child support and bankruptcy status, and more will affect the rate and terms of your loan. Once you select the right vehicle for you, your dealership will usually have a partnered lender to finance your loan for you. You can also reach out to commercial vehicle lenders to facilitate a direct loan.

Deciding to pursue your commercial driver’s license is an exciting step forward in your career. By doing your research and following these steps, you’ll be able to begin driving trucks in the commercial transportation industry! Don’t forget to plan your financing options as you plan for the future and gather your paperwork.

 

Choosing a career can be quite challenging. With so many options out there, finding a suitable job can take significant trial and error.

For those seeking security, stability, and comfortable wages, commercial truck driving can be a productive path forward for motivated individuals. Offering a great career that pairs excitement with prestige, commercial truck driving can be the ticket to a happy, healthy life. Here are five reasons to consider a job on the road.

 

A Comfortable Living

Financial security is often a primary driver behind career choice, especially for those who have families and obligations that require a steady income. Commercial trucking can offer you the stability you seek, boasting salaries that go above and beyond national averages.

With starting wages around $40,000 per year with increases based on seniority, mileage, and routes driven, commercial trucking can provide a comfortable way of life. Furthermore, trucking salaries often come with perks like 401(k)s and health insurance, keeping you and your family covered.

 

Job Security

With the unstable state of the economy, downsizing is increasingly common. Few careers are impervious to layoffs and restructuring, and commercial trucking offers security that few other professions can rival. With an increase in demand across a wide range of industries, trucking jobs are on the upswing.

If you need a job with a near-guaranteed level of stability, trucking is a wonderful option. With a multitude of companies and firms to choose from, finding a trucking route that suits your unique needs can be a simple process.

 

Minimal Requirements

Many of the best paying and most stable jobs require extensive education, including a pricey bachelor’s degree or an even more expensive investment in a graduate program. Trucking, however, does not entail four years of additional schooling.

In many companies, a high school diploma or GED, a commercial driver’s license, a clean criminal history, and a passed drug test are among the only requirements for a trucking job. For those who meet the minimum, it’s fairly easy to secure a desirable role.

 

Travel Opportunities

Far too many jobs keep employees stranded at the office, working long hours behind a desk. For those with a desire to travel and see the countryside, this can be extremely frustrating.

Commercial trucking provides a vast and varying landscape of opportunity, sending truckers down the street and across the nation. Perfectly suited for those with a love of adventure, trucking makes it possible to explore some of the most impressive destinations in the U.S. while still earning a paycheck.

 

Flexibility and Freedom

In an office environment, your boss is often responsible for every facet of your day-to-day life. Breaks, meals and meeting times are dictated for you, keeping you behind your desk until you’re permitted to get up or go home.

On the road, you are effectively your own boss. How far you drive, when you break, when you eat, and when you sleep aren’t managed by anyone else, allowing you to plan your own days in ways that are right for you.

While there are pros and cons to every career path, commercial trucking offers several distinct advantages. From a comfortable salary to easy and affordable employment requirements, it’s possible to find a fun and flexible fit that’s right for you and your family.

 

If you are looking to start a career in the commercial trucking industry and need help with your loan, our commercial lending experts are here to help. For more information, visit our website at: www.missionfinancialservices.net.