The person considering exploring the open highways as a part of their career may also be thinking about driving a truck for doing so. Many great employment opportunities are out there for truck drivers today. Learning more about the courses and training you will need to drive a truck can have several benefits. Find out more about truck driving school cost and how to get started on your driving career.
Getting your truck driving license is the first requirement of becoming a professional trucker. Many students take courses at their local community or vocational colleges for the training necessary to pass required Commercial Driver’s License, CDL, examinations. Course training will include preparations for the written and practical parts of the CDL exam. Be sure to take only the courses that are certified by the PTDI, the Professional Truck Driver Institute, for being assured of better employment opportunities upon certification and licensing. The PDTI is governed by federal regulations and laws.
Cost And Related Expenses – How Much Does Truck Driving School Cost?
Most truck driving training courses last from four to six weeks. Some other courses may be longer or shorter, depending on the company you plan to drive for. Many companies pay to send employees to school with the promise that employee will drive for that particular company. For students paying out of their own pockets, driver training certified by the PDTI could cost from $4000 to $4200, depending on your area and the length of your training. You can find driver training courses costs of $1500 – $10,000 at some private institutions.
Students should keep in mind the cost of uniforms, text books, and other expenses are generally added for an additional charge. The same is also true for the cost of your CDL exam, costing anywhere from $25 up to $100. If you choose testing that includes details for air brakes or triple/doubles, you will be charged separately for these parts. Air brakes and triple/doubles can cost anywhere between $5 and $50 to add on to your CDL examination. Hazardous materials additions to your exam will also cost from $5 to $50. Talking to advisers at community or vocational schools can help you learn more about fees special to your area. Be sure to find out about the type of financial aid offered in your area or by the school you are considering also. Medical exams may be included in your financial responsibilities as well. Some financial aid packets do include a basic cover for the related medical examination.
Truck Driver Training
Many large companies offer entry-level driver training certification that is helpful for several reasons. Using the company’s truck for your CDL exam is a great benefit of choosing company sponsored training courses for truck driving certification and licensing. Potential student drivers should consider they will be required to work for the company they take their CDL training through. Many companies ask you to work for them for s certain period of time in exchange for free truck driver training.
The fringe benefits that come with being a truck driver are the greatest to consider and can be a real motivational tool throughout your training period. Being able to see parts of the country you may have not otherwise seen can be a wonderful feeling, especially when you are getting paid well while doing so. Learning more about truck driving school cost and how you can get started on your way to driving for a living is important and beneficial as well.