The full tuition cost for the Stevens CDL training program is $4,200. Incoming students will make no down payments for the cost of tuition and the tuition cost is financed interest free with no credit checks. Once a student obtains a CDL and begins collecting a paycheck, Stevens will deduct $26.84 per week for 36 months. If a driver leaves before 1 full year of employment, the entire remainder of the balance is due immediately. However, if a student leaves after 1 year, the remainder of the loan can be repaid in increments of $26.84 regardless of employment status. In other words, Stevens will continue to finance your tuition loan interest free, even if you are no longer employed by them.
Nearly all up front costs, such as transportation, lodging and $10 / day for food expenses, can be provided as an interest free loan which will eventually be paid back at $25 / week (that is in addition to your $26.84 tuition loan payment). However, students will still need to bring a non-refundable $100 registration fee on the first day of class and $70 for CDL licensing and testing.
Payment for meals is the students responsibility, but if needed, Stevens will provide a no-interest loan of $70 per week to cover the cost of meals.
If lodging is needed, Stevens will finance the costs for you and you’ll owe nothing up front. The cost of lodging is payroll deducted at $25 per week until the full cost is paid (usually about $200). Most students who require lodging assistance will attend the Texas training academy and will reside at the following hotel with 1 or more roomates: Crosslands Extended Stay Hotel
Yes, the up front tuition fee is $4,200.
A student must stay employed with Stevens Transport in order to ensure the 3 year loan remains financed interest free at $26.84 per week. If a driver leaves before 1 full year of employment, the loan balance will be due immediately.
In addition, if a student needed transportation and lodging, there will be an additional $25 / week deduction until those costs are paid in full.
24 weeks X $26.84 = $644.16 payed into the loan
$4,200 (full cost of loan) - $644.16 (amount already paid) = $3,555.84 (balance)
Total cost due immediately is: $3,555.84
The loan will continue as usual, interest free. The driver will be billed $26.84 per week until the remaining balance is $0.
We have a few issues with the cost structure that Stevens Transport offers and would like to make a couple clarifications. First, the entire loan duration for the school tuition is 3 years, not 1yr. Stevens advertises their program is a 1 year commitment, but it is actually financed over a 3 year period. Staying for 1 year only insures the loan will continue to be financed through Stevens.
Finally, while you can pay the tuition fee up front, we see absolutely no advantage to doing so. There is no price break or advantage to doing this and you might as well take the interest free loan instead.
CDL schooling lasts for approximately 3 weeks. The first week is mostly spent in a classroom environment reviewing the CDL study guide and preparing for the CDL written exams. Classroom is a minimum of 40hrs but usually is more than that. The CDL written exams must be passed in order to obtain a CDL driving permit. Those who are unable to obtain a driving permit will be unable to drive until they are able to pass the exams. Students need to have at least $70 for CDL testing and licensing fees.
The remaining 2 weeks are spent driving and practicing precision maneuvers on the special training course as well as studying pre-trip procedures. Students will gradually drive in more congested areas over time, eventually traveling on expressways, visiting truck stops, crossing open DOT Weigh Stations, and navigating city streets.
After 2 weeks of driving, and practicing precision maneuvers, students take their driving exams with a DOT examiner. Upon successful completion, students will obtain their CDL and will be immediately hired by Stevens Transport and placed into the paid company training program.
The CDL course lasts 3 weeks in total (6 days per week).
Students normally rotate between road driving and backing maneuvers. During the two week driving phase of training, approximately 50% of the time will be spent refining backing skills. However, if a student needs more instruction in one area or another, this can be tweaked.
A maximum of 4 students share one truck.
There will be a minimum of 40 hrs in the classroom, but normally students exceed this minimum.
Our overall impression of the CDL training program is positive. Many company sponsored CDL training programs seem to place a lot of emphasis on getting drivers licensed as quickly as possible. While the Stevens Transport CDL program is still faced paced, it’s a bit more lengthy than other programs. Three weeks is a very good duration for a CDL training program.
