• Home
    • The Blog
  • Become a Truck Driver
    • Thinking of Becoming a Truck Driver?
    • Getting a CDL License
    • Truck Driving Jobs Guide
    • Trucking Company Guide
    • Trucker Life
  • CDL Training
    • Paid CDL Training
    • CDL Schools
    • Professional Driving Skills + Knowledge
  • Owner Operator
  • Just Trucks
  • Book a Consultation Now!

Smart Trucking

The Smart Trucking Survival Guide for the Trucker

How to Become a Truck Driver — The #1 Secret to Starting a Successful Career

November 4, 2019 By Catherine MacMillan

This post may contain affiliate links. You can read the full disclosure policy, which is pretty dull, but here it is.
23shares
  • 10

If you wish to become a truck driver, there are some things you need to know in order to start your career out on the right foot and to get the truck driving career you want. 

Why Become a Truck Driver?

In short, a trucking career can be a lucrative career, if you make carefully thought out decisions.

Professional driver pay ranges depending on the type of truck driving job you work at as where you are working.

Typically, some states pay more on average than others.

Big Rig Driving on highway at sunset

There are plenty of truck driving jobs all over the U.S.

I’m sure you’ve heard of the truck driver shortage?

You should not have any issues getting a truck driving job, if you get good training, practice your skills and look carefully for the right driving job with a reputable company.

Related Article > Truck Driver Salary Reference Guide – What You Need to Know 

5 Things You’ll Need To Become a Truck Driver

  • You’ll need to possess a license to drive a car
  • Write and successfully pass the FMCSA exam, plus medical tests
  • Write and pass a test to obtain the CDL Learners’ Permit ( needed for initial training )
  • Do the CDL exam and obtain your truck driving license
  • Get driving experience when you have your CDL, in order to secure a job

Other than having a driver’s license for a car, the training school you choose will provide the means to complete all of the above.

Truck Driver Leaning on his Truck

The #1 Secret to Launching a Successful Driving Career 

I cannot stress enough the importance of choosing the right CDL school.

In order to get your truck driving career started off on the right foot, it’s critical that you choose the right type of CDL training that suits YOU.

  1. You can be a truck driver in as little as a few weeks time or the training program can take up to a year, depending on the training program you choose. But, you may not have the time to spare so getting your CDL asap may be in order.
  2. Maybe you don’t have the extra money kicking around to invest in costly tuition for a training school, nor do you qualify for any financial aid.
  3. Maybe the location of the school is an important factor for you for personal reasons.
  4. Or perhaps you need an income sooner rather than later and you need that CDL in your hands like NOW.

So here’s the deal.

It’s critical to pick the right training program to suit YOU and your needs.

You need to know:

  1. How much time you want to spend in a training school.
  2. How much money you have to spend on training.
  3. Where you wish to attend training.
  4. How quickly you wish to get behind the wheel as a qualified CDL driver

THEN, you’ll need to choose one of the types of training available.

Look at these 3 basic training types and decide which will suit YOUR needs.

Related > The Best Trucking Companies to Work For  USA

Truck Driving Training Options

There are 3 basic ways to get your truck driving training.

It really DEPENDS on you as an individual, which of the 3 options will work best for you.

1. Private CDL Schools 

There are tuition costs which are different from school to school. Count on at least a few thousand dollars. Usually the tuition fees are paid up front for this type of professional driver training. If you have the funds to pay for your truck driver training, then this type of program may be attractive to you.

Programs are typically anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, again depending on the individual schools.

There are programs available which provide financial support for school costs.

There are a multitude of private CDL driver training schools to choose from in most areas of the US.

A student can enrol in a program at almost any time, to complete a program, so the waiting time to get into a program should be minimal. You should be able to have a CDL in your hand in a relatively short period of time, if this is important to you.

Most reputable schools have a driving job placement program with truck companies, where the trucking company will offer you a job upon completion of your CDL at the end of the training session.

Note: Not all schools do this. Also sometimes the carriers the school is affiliated with are not reputable companies, where you would wish to work.

Tip: Look for a school that is accredited for CDL training to be sure they are offering a credible, quality course.

2. Company Sponsored CDL Training + a Job Programs 

These programs are also commonly called:

  1. Paid CDL Training
  2. Free CDL Truck Driver Training
  3. Company Sponsored CDL Training Schools

A company sponsored CDL training school program is a popular choice by drivers who do not wish to shell out money for their training.

It is for this reason this type of truck driver training is particularly attractive to those wishing to become a truck driver.

There will be some costs for the student in this type of training, but the costs will be very minimal.

Theses programs are offered by large trucking companies which will train students to obtain their CDL in exchange for a commitment to remain employed as a truck driver with the company for a period of time, usually about a one year period.

If the contract is broken by the trainee, they will be obligated to pay back the company for the training costs.

Wages are typically low during the first year of employment. So the free CDL training or low costs to the student, are more than made up for by the trucking company in that first year of employment. 

Training for this type of program is offered frequently and is ongoing. Programs are typically short, a few weeks or so in length. A student can obtain a CDL in a relatively short period of time, but then is under contractual agreement for the next year or so with that company.

The greatest advantage to company training is the fact that the trucking company will give the student a truck driving job at the end of the CDL training. This is an important factor as many carriers will not hire a truck driver without any job experience.

These programs are offered in many areas of the U.S. Many of the training centers offer special accommodations for out of town students, but keep in mind, as a student, you may be responsible for the cost of your transportation to and from the program (depending on the program).

You can find complete guides to some of the big company sponsored CDL schools here:

  • CRST CDL School
  • Prime Trucking School

3. Community College CDL Training

There are tuition fees for these programs, however Community college CDL training programs are another option where various funding programs are available to prospective students.

These programs can also include some educational upgrading as well which can be very beneficial.  

Programs typically start only a few times a year, so it may be awhile before the next program commences.

Often the training is scheduled at a much slower pace than most private CDL schools. This can be an advantage to those students who are only able to attend on a part time basis or in the evening, as they are already holding a full time job.

It could be awhile before a student actually graduates with their CDL. If you aren’t in a big rush to get your CDL,  a community college program can be a good choice.

After Choosing Your CDL Training School

Once you’ve decided which of the 3 training options you are going after:

  • Contact the school or program of your choice.
  • Ask tons and tons of questions
  • Arrange for a tour of the school, to see the facilities and get a feel for the integrity of the school.
  • Take home any information they supply you with and review it carefully before choosing a school. The future of your driving career depends heavily on making a good choice of schools. 

Compare your findings on the various schools and programs, to pick the best CDL school to suit your needs. Your future professional truck driving career depends on it. 

Related Articles

  • 3 Practical Ways to Pay For Truck Driving School Training
  • 7 Things You Need To Know About Your First Year as a New Truck Driver
  • The 7 Keys to Success For Completing a CDL Training School Program Successfully
Truck Driver Standing Beside Blue Peterbilt

Filed Under: What You Should Know Before Becoming a Truck Driver

Recent Articles

  • View of Highway from Big Rig Over Hood3 Smart Professional Trucker Tips to Protect Your CDL
    It's critical to protect your CDL. Some smart trucker tips to keep that CDL you've worked so hard for, clean and intact throughout your trucking career. […]
  • Truck Driver Standing Beside Blue PeterbiltDrive A Big Rig| It’s All I Ever Wanted To Do
    In spite of the problems in the trucking industry, there are still a number of truckers who stay with their career, as they love to drive. Dave laments on why he's stayed with the job, in spite of the industry and its faults. […]
  • Convoy of Big RigsTop Trucking Companies in Canada To Work For 2021
    We have curated a list of the top trucking companies in Canada to Work for in 2021: best paying, best for new drivers, tanker outfits, long haul carriers. […]
  • 5 Things Truck Driver Training Schools Don’t Teach |+ What To Do About It!
    Truck driver training schools don't teach ALL you need to know about driving a truck. We give 5 things you WON'T learn in CDL school + how to fix that! […]
  • 1981 International Transtar II BlueThe Old Big Rigs – What It Was Like To Drive Them
    A 42+ year trucker laments about driving old big rigs in the '70's and '80's: Transtar Cabover, R Model Mack, Western Star, Kenworth W900A, Cabover Freightliner […]
  • Experienced Veteran Truck Driver Smart Trucking Leaning on 379 Peterbilt5 Important Things You Should Know About a Career in Trucking
    I have learned a lot from my 40 years as a professional driver. There are 5 things that every one considering a truck driving career and those who are new to the industry should know. […]

Search This Site

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

Our Latest Articles

  • 3 Smart Professional Trucker Tips to Protect Your CDL
  • Drive A Big Rig| It’s All I Ever Wanted To Do
  • Top Trucking Companies in Canada To Work For 2021
  • 5 Things Truck Driver Training Schools Don’t Teach |+ What To Do About It!

Our Most Popular Articles

  • 7 Things You Need To Know About Your First Year as a New Truck Driver
  • What Professional Truck Drivers Do Differently Than the Rest
  • Winter Driving Tips For the Trucker | A Professional’s Safety Guide
  • 10 Truck Driving Safety Tips Every Professional Driver Should Follow
COPYRIGHT 2012-2020, SMART TRUCKING | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

PLEASE NOTE: This site contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the product or service links on this site, we may receive commissions if you purchase something. Please note: we would not recommend any product/service we would not use ourselves. Learn more...

Home   |    Affiliates & Disclosures   |   Privacy   |    Advertising   |   Disclaimer   |   Contact   |   Who We Are   | Terms + Conditions   | Sponsorships
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.