More About Getting Your CDL

If you're thinking about getting your Commercial Driver License (CDL) you need to remember two things. First, you'll need to pass your written test in order to get your CDL trainee license. There are many sites that offer free CDL practice tests that allow you to take the CDL written exam as many times as you like on your own time, so that you can be as prepared as possible before taking the actual test.

Then you can choose to get your actual Class A CDL training from a truck driving school or company 'academy.'

One of the cheapest routes that you can take in order to get your CDL and start practicing your truck driving is to attend a vocational tech school that offers these courses. The cost of a course that will teach you all the things you need to know (including some actual driving experience) about operating a tractor trailer rig will be MUCH cheaper at a vocational tech school than at a truck driving school offered by many trucking companies. The cost of a vocational tech truck driving course can be as low as $1,200 and provide better training than many other facilities.

The courses offered through trucking 'academies' is usually geared to spending more time on the basics of driving with the accent on classroom courses and less time actually driving the rigs. These courses may seem like a good idea at the time with their 'deferred' payment plans that don't cost you anything up front, but upon graduating from the course you have to make a hard choice. Stay with this trucking company for a year or more to work off the cost of your course, or go out to find other work and have to pay off the 'actual' cost of the course - which is usually over $5,000!

All Truck Driver Training Isn't the Same

The second thing you need to remember about getting your CDL is that although many community colleges and vocational schools offer this type of course, not every course will be the one for you.

There are literally hundreds of schools across the country offering many different types of instructional programs. Some offer a lot of classroom training while others offer more driving training behind the wheel of an actual big rig. You have to make sure that the course you choose has a good balance of classroom and driving training so that you'll be prepared to confidently get behind the wheel of a big rig on the day you graduate. It's your money and you're going to be investing in yourself so make sure you ask a lot of questions before signing up for the course you choose.

You need to be over 21 years of age, have a good driving record and pass a DOT drug test before you can receive your CDL, but you can be sure that when you graduate - finding a driving job with a good company won't take long.

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