trucking schools?

Question

I'm planning on going to florida this winter. Looking for a good cheap cdl driving school.what should i be looking for in schools etc.

Answer 1

Don't pay for trucking school! The industry is so desperate for drivers some companies will train you for a one year commitment.
When you get to Florida, look up the local chapter of the privet industry counsel. ask them about a Pell grant for driving school. There may be other work force federally funded schools for trucking too. Research schools carefully before enrolling. some are much better than others.
NTTS (National Tractor Trailer School) is one of the best. CFI is the worst.

Here is an answer I just wrote to someone else asking about truck driving:
It depends on what kind of driving your interested in. There are several types of tractor trailer driving jobs. Long haul irregular route, which can include Canada, drivers starting out in this area average
$650 to $700 per week at a rate of 22 to 28 cents per mile. Long haul drivers stay out 14 to 21 days at a time and earn an average of 1 day off for every 7 on the road. They usually take 3 or 4 days off after being out 3 or 4 weeks.
Many larger companies offer regional or dedicated divisions to work in where drivers can be home for the weekends and sometimes during the week for a night or two.
Experienced drivers with 10 years over the road who own there own trucks can make up to $10,000 or more a week. As a owner operator, expenses like fuel, repair costs, permits and insurance can take quite a chunk out of there pay.
I don't think truck driving is a good job for any one who has children. Children need both parents around to be properly raised. Missing mom's and dad's during a child's youth, leads to many discipline problems, and other problems associated with kids seeking other roll models that may not have good moral values in life.
Truck driving is not all it's cracked up to be. Long lonely days in areas only trucks are permitted, with dirty truck stops to shower in, and lots of exposure to desperate people, disease, and perverts on the road.
I've been in the trucking business for 14 years and it's the only job I've ever had that I couldn't relate socially with my co-workers. I find most truckers live on the road because they can't cope with family or society somehow. Most are rude, inconsiderate, filthy slobs. There are a few professionals still out there, but there getting far and few between. To make matters worse, the industry is getting so desperate for drivers they will hire just about anyone. Many are ex-cons, ex-drug attics, or have serious mental health issues. Driving big rigs is the third most dangerous job in the USA.
Experts estimate that in 15 years traffic will be twice what it is now, and roads are not getting any better. Many bridges in the east are approaching the age of 100 years, and are becoming much more dangerous. Global warming is causing extreme weather conditions too.
If you think you really want to try it, start out with a small company. Look for trucking companies with good benefits and less than 200 trucks. Anything bigger and your treated like a number.
Try to specialize in a particular field of driving. Some "drive away" companies can offer a wide range of equipment to become failure with until you find what you like.
Feel free to e-mail me if you have any specific concerns or other questions regarding this industry. Good luck.

Answer 2

If all you want is a "cheap" driving school, then be prepared to work for a cheap, shady company with poor equipment and pay. If you want OTR driving, remember that the truck you drive will be your home for probably 300 days per year. Most reputable companies want a driver who has gone through an accredited driving school or through their own driving school to keep down their insurance premiums and maintenance expenses. Do yourself and the rest of us drivers out here a favor, and get some good training. It will pay off in the long run. Better pay, good runs and nice equipment to drive. Good luck.

Answer 3

Look for a school that gives you a lot of road time passing the written test won't do it you need driving time and a lot of backing training that's where most new drivers have the most trouble and accidents learn how to make a trailer walk over as you back up and go where you want it to This info. comes from a driver that's been driving for 25 years before they had any schools where I am from

Answer 4

You did not say if you wanted [OTR] over the road training or locaial florida training but here is a link that will be interest to you www.angelandcroc.com also Croc has a forum that will be very helpful you can ask all the wuestions you want these guys are great here is the forum site http://www.cfidrivers.com/phpbb2/


Best to luck to you in any thing you do...