The Complete Guide To A Career In Trucking
What you should know about company-sponsored CDL training
Trucking companies will sponsor you by paying for your CDL schooling and on-the-road training with them. In return you agree to drive for them for a specific amount of time or miles. This agreement will be spelled out in a legally-binding contract.
Most companies will require about a one year commitment to them. As a general rule, new drivers will want to keep their first job for a year, anyhow, as many companies will require at least that much experience should you want to move on.
Leaving the company before your commitment has been satisfied may require you to pay back some, or even all, of the training costs to the company. It may also prevent you from driving for another company until that debt has been paid in full.
What is the company's hiring and operating areas?
In some cases, trucking companies may require an applicant to reside in a specific state or region, or within a certain distance of a terminal. Most of the larger companies, however, will not normally have those restrictions.
Free Truck Driving Schools & Company-Sponsored Training Reviews
Reviews of company-sponsored training programs, with hiring and operating maps, and qualifications.
If I test for my CDL for a company in another state, will I be able to transfer it to my home state?
Generally, most drivers in most states should have no issues. The FMCSA rules are set up as such that drivers who test in one state can transfer the results to their state of domicile or residence. There are exceptions, so drivers will need to verify their state rules.
Example - Illinois requirements for CDL transfer
FMCSA regulations state that the state licensing bureaus are to honor out-of-state CDL testing and licenses, but not all states are currently following that rule. Some states will require retesting to transfer your CDL.
What is the length and intensity of training like compared with private schools?
Company-sponsored training will be short & swift compared to private school. They both give the basics needed to pass the CDL test, but companies may be in a hurry to get the driver into the trainers truck and get it moving.
Article - The Boot Camp Known As Company-Sponsored Training
So, now you have decided you are going to continue. You will spend the next weeks learning how to operate the trucks which of course is fun, scary, challenging and exciting.
Article - More Boot Camp Stories From Company-Sponsored CDL Training
But the curiosity of driving those big trucks and the education we were getting seemed to keep us motivated. For the next 2 ½ weeks we spend every waking moment in these trucks.
Article - Private Schooling Versus Company-Sponsored: The Basic Differences
With a company-sponsored program you're more like a player trying to make the team. It's like a tryout, and not everyone makes the team. The environment is usually fast-paced and there is a little less tolerance for those who aren't picking up on the skills as quickly.
Do I have to pay my own way to get to company-sponsored training?
No, the trucking company will foot the bill for that, as well. Most will have them travel by Greyhound bus, though there are reports of a few companies paying for plane tickets for drivers to travel to training.
Drivers are usually free to provide their own transportation to training, but it's not necessary.
Forum - Greyhound Bus to company-sponsored CDL training
My friend rode the bus. 17 hour trip. I guess it sucks because there isn't room to spread out, you could be surrounded by sick people and crying, and whining kids, hard to sleep, etc. However, it's all what you make of it.
What happens after I get my CDL?
In most cases, once you get your CDL, the company will match you up with a driver-trainer. The trainer will either team-drive with you (one sleeps, one drives), or train you from the front seat, with both of you keeping the same sleep schedules. Most training will be over-the-road, so most students will need to go to training prepared to leave immediately after testing.
In some cases, drivers may have to wait a week or more at the facility, or even from home occasionally, until a trainer becomes available.
Forum topics tagged - "On the road in training"
If you'd like to read more about what company-sponsored training is like, please visit our forum threads tagged "On the road in training".
What are my obligations to the company after I get my CDL?
In most cases, new drivers will be obligated to the trucking company for either a specific period of time, or number of miles driven, though every company handles it differently.
Some companies will require a certain amount of time, like a year. Some will consider your obligation fulfilled after a certain number of miles. Some will deduct a certain amount of the cost of tuition and training for every month driven. It just depends on the company.
Example - Roehl Transport's tuition repayment options.
If you have a Roehl tuition loan, you'll earn loan credits while with Roehl. Drive 120,000 paid non-training solo miles (or 240,000 team miles) and your loan will be repaid for you in full. You'll never have to pay it back and your obligation is fulfilled.
Will I have to sign a contract? Can I get out of it?
Forum - Company CDL training programs with short after-graduation contract times?
It will take you a year to even begin to be a productive professional at this job. They are going to be paying you for everything you do during that year, and trust me it will be precious little money, if any, that you make for them during that first year. The average rookie driver is a considerable liability and very seldom a valuable asset during that first year.
What if I leave the company before fulfilling my obligations?
Forum - Breaking a company-sponsored training contract
Although I am not familiar with their contract, if CR England provided your schooling and subsequent training it will be costly (possibly many thousands of dollars) to break the contract.
Why Join Trucking Truth?
- The High Road Training Program
- The High Road Article Series
- The Friendliest Trucker's Forum Ever!
- Email Updates When New Articles Are Posted
Apply For Paid CDL Training Through TruckingTruth
Did you know you can fill out one quick form here on TruckingTruth and apply to several companies at once for paid CDL training? Seriously! The application only takes one minute. You will speak with recruiters today. There is no obligation whatsoever. Learn more and apply here:
TT On Facebook