Choosing Between Sage And DTS Truck Driving Schools

Any opinions or problems with either of these choices?

Terry, welcome aboard!

There's two things that are important to understand about driving schools.

One is that their main objective is to get you a CDL. They know very well how to do this and if you will pay attention and follow their instruction you will graduate with a nice new little plastic card in your wallet that is guaranteed to open some doors for you. You will not be a professional driver when you graduate and you will know exactly what I'm getting at when you go through the whole experience. In fact if you are like most of us, you will still be wondering why they gave you that license in the first place. You'll know you are not ready for prime time, and the company that hires you will know that also, that's why they will pair you with a trainer for several weeks before they ever hand you the keys to a truck.

The second thing is (and this is important) you need to ask the school what companies are hiring out of their school. Write down the names they tell you and then call those company's recruiting offices and verify that they do indeed hire from that school. This is really the only way to qualify whether the school is worth the money or not.

I've heard a lot of good feed back on Sage, but I definitely recommend that you find out about who hires from your choices of schools.

Also, if you want to excel while at school and be one of the very few to have excellent test scores you need to start working your way through the High Road Training Program it will be a life saver to you and will put you at the head of the class. The sections in there on log books and Weights and balances are game changers in you future career also. By the way I recommend that you get your driving permit before you go to the school, and it is very easy to do if you go through that training course. You'll be so glad you did that when you're at school and see all the others struggling just to get their permits - you'll be the wonder kid at school - I guarantee it!

Thank you for the input! I appreciate you taking the time.

Welcome aboard Terry!

Old School is right on. I'll add that you should definitely talk to the students at both schools privately. Go on a tour of the schools and while you're there pull a few students aside and ask them how they like it. They'll be more than happy to let you know if their money was well spent or not.

We also have a group of articles on How To Choose A Truck Driving School and an awesome Truck Driver's Career Guide to help you understand the industry better, understand your choices for schooling and companies, and get your trucking career off to a great start.

Brett, and Old School. Thanks again for your time, I really appreciate it! I'm out the door now to take a tour of the schools etc. Thanks!