All students are required to pay a $150 seating fee which is due the first day of class. The actual tuition cost is $3,900 which can be paid up front or financed interest free through Swift. If a student decides to finance the tuition, Swift will payroll deduct $150 each month for the first 13 months of employment. At that point, Swift will add an additional $150 to a drivers pay each month for the next 13 months. So if you stay with Swift for 26 months, the CDL program will cost you nothing.
Each location requires a different amount for up front costs ranging from $154 to $400 plus basic living / food expenses.
Yes, the cash price is $3,900 which will be refunded at $150 / month until you are 100% reimbursed (about 26 months).
This location requires students to obtain a CDL Permit before arrival.
Total up front costs: $250 + basic living expenses / food money (Swift recommends $150)
This location does not require students to obtain a CDL Permit before arrival.
Total up front costs: $154 + basic living expenses / food money (Swift recommends $150)
This location requires students to obtain a CDL Permit before arrival.
Total up front costs: $400 + basic living expenses / food money (Swift recommends $150)
This location does not require students to obtain a CDL Permit before arrival.
Total up front costs: $310 + basic living expenses / food money (Swift recommends $150)
The San Antonio location only provides continental breakfast at the hotel daily. All locations provide a free lunch the first day of class. All other meals must be paid for by the student.
Yes, lodging is provided. Students will share rooms with 2 to 5 people depending on location.
EconoLodge
1520 N. 84th Dr.,
Tolleson, AZ
623-936-4667
Guest House
1325 Main St
Lewiston, ID
800-806-7666
Admirality Inn
8181 Highway 51
Millington, TN
901-873-1000
Days Inn
1500 IH 35
San Antonio, TX
210-271-3334
Candlewood
4301 Commerce
Richmond, VA
804-271-0016
Once a student graduates and becomes a paid Swift employee, Swift will deduct $150 each month for 13 months. At this point, all obligations have been fulfilled and the student will owe nothing more. However, for the next 13 months, Swift will add $150 to the drivers pay each month for 13 months. At that point, CDL schooling becomes free.
If a driver leaves before the first 13 months, the driver will owe $300 for every month remaining. For example, if a driver leaves after 6 months of employment, the following will be owed:
While the tuition price is a bit hefty compared to other other company sponsored CDL programs, if you stay for 13 months you only have paid $1,800 and your commitment is over. The only time the initial tuition fee will become a problem is if you leave before your 1yr commitment.
To sweeten the deal, anything after 13 months and you will receive $150 back until everything is refunded after 26 months. This seems to be a fair structure as compared to other sponsored programs and we always recommend staying with your first company for a minimum of 1yr anyway.
Depending on the location of the school you attend, the course may be 2 or 3 weeks long.
For the 2 week long courses, you will spend a week at home taking online training modules for one week. At the end of the online modules, you will go to your local Department of Motor Vehicles and take the CDL written exams. Upon successful completion of the written exams, you will be issued a CDL-A permit and can then attend the Swift 2-week driving academy.
Once a student arrives at the Swift training academy, there will be 2 weeks of instruction consisting of classroom, driving, and backing maneuvers. Usually, 4 days are spent in the classroom with the remainder of the time mostly spent driving with a few hours of additional classroom mixed in. The driving academy operates 11hrs per day, 6 days per week. Hours are generally from around 5am to 4pm, so expect to be up early.
For the three week course, students do not arrive with a CDL permit and do not take the online course. All studying and CDL written exams are conducted during the first week of instruction. After that time, the itinerary is identical to the two week course.
About 10 days are spent both driving and practicing backing maneuvers.
Normally there are no more than 4 students per truck and students rotate to allow for equal driving time.
A minimum of 40hrs are spent in the classroom. In addition, some students may complete an online training module from home before heading to the Swift Driving Academy.
