Month: April 2018

If you are thinking about becoming a Class A CDL driver, it is suggested that you go through training courses. Training provides both classroom training to help pass the written portion of the exam, and practice driving for the behind-the-wheel portion. DriveCo CDL Learning Center provides training in both of these areas during a four-week, 160-hours, full-time program in Gary, Indiana. There is no prior experience or knowledge necessary to start your training.

What will I Learn in the Classroom?

Students will learn all the materials necessary to pass the Indiana Commercial Driver’s License Test. Topics include but not limited to; truck parts and terminology, Department of Transportation rules and regulations, maps, and other reference materials as well as key principles of safe driving. Classes begin every two weeks.

What Will I Learn on the Road?

At DriveCo’s facility in Gary, you will have access to commercial trucks. Students will be able to learn the principles of safe driving. You will be trained by our driving professionals and will have access to our trucks while taking your driving exam.

Additional Benefits

All our students will have access to Job Placement Services. Our facility regularly has recruiter visits from local, regional and national carriers. All students who are in good standing with the school and are licensed drivers will be able to attend recruitment activities for life! We also provide assistance with resumes, preparing for interviews, and all other aspects of the job search. While DriveCo cannot guarantee you a job, we are committed to providing all the opportunities and resources necessary to help you find one.

Whether you are considering a job as a long haul driver, route driver, hazardous/waste material driver, or providing pick-up, we have provided training to drivers since 1990. Contact us for more information on how you can register to begin your Class A CDL Training.

Earning your CDL can open the door to a world of possibilities and many job opportunities. As the demand for truck drivers increases each year, new drivers entering the field can expect to earn higher wages and experience more growth within the industry. As opportunities increase, drivers are looking to earn a median salary of $49,920 per year, increasing based on their style of trucking. Before starting a career in trucking though, it’s important to learn the differences between each type of driving so you can be sure to pick the one that’s best for you.

Over-the-Road (OTR) Trucking

Also known as long-haul trucking, over-the-road trucking is the most common type of driving. While this driving style can put you on the road for extended periods of time, it’s also the highest-paid position in the industry, with a median salary of $108,280 per year.

Because these drivers are on the road for days and weeks at a time, they typically carry fewer loads further distances, which allows them to see every corner of the country. Along with this, many OTR drivers will choose to team drive, giving them the chance to put in more miles and earn more money.

While OTR trucking has its perks, a downfall to this type of trucking can be the consistent shifting of time zones and climates as well as being away from home and loved ones. Due to this, it’s imperative that these drivers are ready for anything and can stay connected while on the road.

Regional Trucking

Unlike OTR, regional drivers typically have a planned route that they run every day, week, or month. These routes are more specific to regions like the Midwest or Northeast, broken up into 1,000-mile radiuses. While they may be on the road overnight, these trips are still shorter and pre-determined, allowing them to spend more time at home, giving them a better work-life balance. However, due to spending less time on the road, these drivers earn slightly less, with an average salary of about $100,560.

Regional truck drivers are often in charge of delivering commercial products to factories and manufacturing facilities as well as shipments to warehouses and retail outlets. Occasionally, these drivers operate charter buses, taking passengers on trips or sightseeing tours. These set routes give them the opportunity to develop relationships with regular customers, making the job more enjoyable.

Local Trucking

As with regional trucking, local drivers often have specific routes that they drive every day, including small package deliveries, full loads to retail outlets, and local transit bus routes. These shorter trips are generally within the same city or an approximate 100-mile radius.

Since local drivers don’t leave their designated areas, instead making several smaller stops throughout the day, they may encounter other obstacles, such as traffic and construction, making their day-to-day trips time-consuming and stressful.
Local trucking can be appealing and comes with the benefit of working an 8-10 hour work day and being home every night, but as these drivers cover fewer miles, the median pay is less than both regional and OTR trucking at $60,924 per year.

When deciding which driving style is right for you, it’s important to examine all the aspects. If you’re looking for a career that allows you to travel and see the country, OTR may be for you, but if you have a lifestyle that requires you to be home every night, regional or local trucking may be better options. No matter what your needs and wants are, there’s a trucking style made to fit them. As the need for drivers increases, the starting wages are getting better and better, making this a great time to earn your CDL.

If you’re ready to take the next step and begin your trucking career, contact us today to learn more about our CDL Training programs.

Updated November 2023

Updated February 2020

Paying for CDL Training can be a struggle for many students. At DriveCo CDL Learning Center, we never want a lack of funds to keep you from completing CDL Training. For that reason, we offer several tuition assistance options, ranging from grants to scholarships, that can be utilized when cash flow is limited.

Indiana Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)

The Indiana Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) program provides access to job training to individuals with significant barriers to employment, including veterans and those with disabilities. If you’ve been laid-off, receiving unemployment or SNAP benefits, you may be eligible for a grant to pay tuition.

Indiana Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA)

If your job has been negatively impacted financially due to your company’s production moving outside of the United States, you could qualify for tuition assistance through this program. The goal of the TAA is to help you obtain a position with similar wages to what you were earning in your prior profession.

Veteran’s Assistance Programs

DriveCo is approved for a variety of Veterans Administration funding programs for active service members, reservists, and military veterans.

Chapter 33 – Post 9/11 GI Bill®

This program assists qualifying veterans who have been on active duty for an aggregate of 90 days after 9/10/2001, or for those who were honorably discharged or discharged due to disability connected to their time in service.

Chapter 30 – Montgomery GI Bill® (MGIB)

The MGIB offers education assistance to veterans and service members who were active for at least two years. Qualified applicants must also meet certain education requirements, such as having a high school diploma or GED.

Chapter 35 – Survivors and Dependents, Educational Assistance Program (DEA)

If a veteran or service member has been permanently disabled due to a service injury or has passed away from a service-related injury, their dependents may qualify for assistance through the DEA.

Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts (MyCAA)

If you are the spouse of a military member, you may qualify for this scholarship. Qualifying ranks are as follows: E5 and below, W1 – W2 or O1 – O2.

Sponsorship Training

If you need immediate help covering your cost of tuition, one solution is to seek pre-employment from one of our trucking partners. We can guide you to the right ones that, upon pre-hiring, you, may offer to pay for your training. They do ask that you make a commitment to work for them upon completion of the program, generally for one year. The major benefit of this program is that you know you will have guaranteed employment when you finish your training.

Tuition Reimbursement

If you plan to pay for your training using your own funds, you can do so knowing that many companies offer a tuition reimbursement plan. These organizations will make your monthly payments while you work for them and do not require a contracted time commitment from you. DriveCo has strong partnerships with many companies that participate in tuition reimbursement.

Cash Plans

DriveCo is willing to partner with you by offering two cash plans. A major benefit to these cash plans is that it gives you the freedom to find the right employer upon completion of your CDL. The only items not included are the costs of your CDL permit and CDL license.

If you’d like more information on any of these programs, please contact us today. Our Admissions Team is always willing to work one-on-one with you to help you find the best options for paying for your tuition.

Although getting a Commercial Driver’s License does take a bit of time and effort, the advantages are well worth it. It can open a world of employment opportunities that you might not have even considered.

Commercial Truck Drivers Are In High Demand

The average age of a truck driver according to recent data is approaching 50 years of age. That means that the current shortfall is only going to get worse over the next 10-15 years, as the “average” driver reaches retirement age. That’s creating quite a challenge for businesses trying to replace them. Take look at the “Now Hiring” signs that are plastered on commercial trucks the next time you’re driving down the road. Having a Commercial Driver’s License provides you with the opportunity to fill one of those spots.

A Number of Jobs Require a CDL

If truck driving isn’t your thing, don’t worry. An abundance of job opportunities requires a Commercial Driver’s License. Did you know that you need one if you want to work as a school bus driver, city bus driver, tour bus driver, hazmat carrier, or garbage worker? These are distinct, interesting, and potentially high-paying career opportunities that require employees to have a CDL.

A Commercial Driver’s License Gives You a Marketable Edge

Even if you don’t have to drive a commercial vehicle very often, having a CDL gives you quite an advantage in the workplace. The time and effort you spent earning it proves that you are committed to adding skills that give you value. It also shows that you are well-rounded and can handle a variety of responsibilities if needed.

If you’ve been thinking about obtaining your Commercial Driver’s License, it’s worth it to go ahead and start the process. After all, as soon as you earn your CDL, you can start taking advantage of the benefits. Contact us today for more information on how to get started with your CDL Training.