If you are looking for a career where you can experience the freedom of the open road and earn great pay, trucking may be for you. There is a shortage of drivers and this high demand translates into increased job stability and the ability to make more than $66,000 a year.* The first step to entering the trucking industry is earning your commercial driver’s license (CDL). Trucking school is the most common way to do this and choosing the right institution can help you start your career with the tools you need to succeed.
Some factors to consider when choosing a CDL school:
Comprehensive Training
A trucking school program should include a combination of classroom and hands-on training. The classroom portion is important for the written CDL test. After you pass this exam, you will earn your commercial learner’s permit (CLP) and should have an understanding of basic trucking safety and operation. Your chosen program should also include actual truck driving and pre-trip inspections and you should be trained with a real semi-truck, not with a simulator.
Experienced Instructors
Instructors are a central part of your experience at trucking school. They should have industry expertise and be able to clearly explain concepts to students. A good way to determine whether the instructors at a given school are a good fit for you is to attend an open house, which may give you the opportunity to meet a few of your potential teachers. You can also talk to current and former students or ask school representatives about the credentials of their instructors.
Endorsements
Depending on the type of trucking you plan to pursue, you may need endorsements. These are certifications added to your CDL. If there are endorsements you know you will need, you should make sure your chosen program includes those. At Phoenix Truck Driving School, we offer hazardous materials (hazmat), tanker, and doubles/triples endorsements at all of our campuses, plus a passenger endorsement at our Fort Bliss school.
Job Placement Assistance
You should check if the school you are interested in has a job placement assistance program. This can make it easier to find a company to work with after graduation. It can also be helpful to look at employment information to see student placement rates.
What About Cost?
While the quality of the program should be your primary concern, cost also plays a role. Keep in mind that trucking school will always have some cost associated with it, whether this is direct in form of tuition or indirect in the form of agreeing to work for a specific company. It is a good idea to do some research, and to also consider what options there are for covering tuition.
Our Trucking Schools
Phoenix Truck Driving School has locations in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. We offer high-quality training, and our experienced instructors know how to help students succeed in the industry.
To learn more about our trucking school programs, contact us today.
*Professional truck drivers earn a mean annual wage of $46,370. The top 10% of truck drivers make more than $66,840 per year according to the 2019 Bureau of Labor Statistics.
