Tag: cdl training

How To Find The Perfect Fit To All Your CDL Training Needs

Posted on January 20, 2021 by - CDL training

You’ve made the decision to be a trucker, now you’re saying ‘what’s next?’ The next step after you’ve decided to venture into this career is choosing where to get your CDL. Just like any major, life-changing decisions there are many factors that go into choosing what CDL school works best for you. Things to consider would be financial responsibility, duration, and community. We are breaking down differences, similarities and important factors to help you make the right first step for your new career.

Financial Responsibility

Paid

Paid CDL training is also known as company-sponsored training. This is when a company pays the upfront cost of your training. Normally companies will cover both your transportation to the training facility and hotel accommodations while in training. In some cases there are companies who pay for the cost of meals and even loan you money to pay your bills while you are taking their course.
In return for the paid training the company sponsoring you will require you to drive for them for an agreed upon period of time, or until your tuition is paid off. Not every paid CDL training is identical, so it is important to do extensive research.

Private

Private CDL trainings are with independently owned truck driving schools. Typically there is a requirement to pay tuition upfront. This structure is ideal for those with families who wish to be closer, as they will commute back and forth. Being that this more of a risk than company-sponsored training, prospective students will want to get as many pre-hire letters as possible and ensure that the companies they’re interested in hire from the chosen institution.

Tip: If choosing either option you are looking at “paying back” or paying upfront $4,000 to $10,000. We suggest you go with the best value, not just the lowest price.

Duration

The amount of time you’ll have to dedicate to your CDL isn’t a matter of paid versus private. The duration is contingent on your choice of license class, desired endorsements, whether you’re a full-time or part-time student, and class and driving hours.

The requirements of each state are also different, so we’ll take the word of most CDL instructors who say your training will take anywhere from 3 to 8 weeks.

Community

Obtaining your CDL in the best environment for your learning habits is vital to how well you succeed. Knowing the student to instructor ratio is also important. If you are the kind of person who thrives on 1-on-1 interaction, choosing a school with a 40-to-1 ratio isn’t going to cut it. This is your career, so your success in the field is based on your success in the classroom.
For students going the company-sponsored route, the community makes all the difference. How a company trains its prospective employees is a reflection on how they treat their actual employees, so be super aware of this.

Should You Consider Tag Teaming in 2021?

Posted on December 28, 2020 by - Team Driving

Before diving into team truck driving you should first have an understanding of what you’re signing up for. We’ve made that decision a little easier for you by giving you the scoop on what teaming up on the road looks like.
Having a partner means longer hours and fewer stops, aside from the time regulations issued by the FMCSA. There is a quicker turnaround time with team drivers, making them high in demand. The demand for team driver is so high, there are some companies who will fully pay for CDL training (Link to How to find the perfect fit to all your CDL Training Needs) if a driver agrees to be a part of a team.

Significantly Higher Pay

There are a lot of incentives that come with team driving associated with pay. Majority of the time team drivers make more per mile. There are a few companies who offer a 5,000 mile-per-week guarantee. No matter if you actually drive that many hours per week you’ll always get paid for driving 5,000 miles. If you happen to exceed those 5,000 miles your pay-per-mile may increase. Keep in mind that the 5,0000 miles will be split between you and your partner.

Example: If a company is offering a 6 figure salary for team truck drivers it means that the bottom line pay per mile is at least .39 per mile, for each driver. This could mean $1,200 more a month per driver compared to drivers who make .28 per mile. (*based on 5,000 miles driven per week)

Stress Less

Cut down on the amount of time it takes to do your pre-trip inspection with a companion to divide the timely duty with. With team driving, comes safety. There is always a slight fear that something may get stolen or worse that you may become a victim of some sort. This may be a stretch, but hey, things happen. With a partner on the road, you also have some extra security and backup, just-in-case.

Quality Time

Choosing the right driving partner is the main piece of having a positive team driving career. Choosing a companion you can trust takes time, but you could go a quicker route and choose someone you already have a bond with. Whether it’s your best friend, your child, or your spouse this could be how you choose to spend your quality time. There are plenty of truckers who miss their
family and friends when traveling for long periods of time, but it doesn’t have to be the case. Choosing a teammate who you already trust makes going to sleep in the sleeper berth while cruising down a steep hill, a little easier.

It is okay to not find team driving attractive, some people enjoy the peace and quiet trucking can bring. If you are interested in trying team driving be sure to go through the partner selection process thoroughly. This will make the biggest difference in whether or not you are a team driving advocate.