Month: August 2018

If you are considering becoming a truck driver, you may have heard there are multiple ways to get started in the field. You can either earn attend a CDL training school or you can complete your training through a trucking company you plan to work for. There are a few distinct differences between these two CDL training options, find out which works best for you!

Attending CDL Training School

People decide to go through a CDL training school for many reasons but the main reason is so that they are not committed to a contract. Companies that offer company paid training will require that you sign a contract agreeing to stay with the company for a certain amount of time after your training. So, if it turns out that the company was not a good fit for you, it would be very hard to leave. Training through a CDL school gives you more freedom as you are not tied to any contracts.

Another perk of attending a CDL training school is that most schools will offer job placement assistance to their graduates. For example, DriveCo CDL Learning Center assists graduates by helping them update their resumes, network with employers, practice interviewing techniques and much more. Certain CDL schools, including DriveCo, offer lifetime job placement assistance! So, it doesn’t matter if it’s been years since you’ve completed our CDL training⏤we’re here to help you get hired for life!

One major discouragement to people choosing a CDL training school is the cost. However, the majority of CDL schools will offer options to help students finance their training. DriveCo CDL Learning Center provides students with plenty of financial aid options including government programs, veterans assistance, and alternate options like sponsorship training and tuition reimbursement. Consult with an admissions representative to explore your options and find what works best for your situation!

Completing Company CDL Training

There are also plenty of reasons someone might prefer company CDL training, despite having to be tied to a contract. When you opt for company training you are required to sign a contract because they are covering the cost of your CDL training. They want to ensure that you will work for them long enough to make it worthwhile to pay for your training. These contracts typically extend between 1-2 years, which can feel like forever if you don’t necessarily enjoy the job. While the training is technically ‘free’ in a way you are still paying for the training with your commitment to the company.

Another great benefit to choosing company CDL training is that you’re guaranteed a job when you’re finished with your training. You won’t have to worry about a job search because you’ll already be hired! Though several CDL schools offer lifetime job placement assistance, many people prefer company training simply for the convenience of not having to deal with a job search. The downside to this is that you would be limiting yourself and wouldn’t have a chance to compare your options.

 

There are pros and cons to both CDL training options, you just have to decide which one works best for you. If you’ve opted for a CDL training school, consider DriveCo CDL Learning Center! Contact us to get started today!

Being a professional truck driver has its ups and downs, as any job would. Many who are considering joining the trucking industry will want to know what to expect before they get started on their CDL training. Explore the pros and cons of trucking to find out if this is the right career path for you!

Pros of Truck Driving

Job security is virtually guaranteed in trucking as the current shortage of drivers is on the rise. High demand allows drivers to be selective when picking their employer. Drivers should take extra time to compare their options considering everything from pay, benefits, and how much vacation and hometime they will get. The amount of hometime is especially important for long-haul drivers. Depending on the carrier, hometime could be 3-5 days or even an entire week once or twice per month.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, truck drivers can expect to earn about $43,000 annually during their first year. However, the earning potential of a truck driver can vary depending on the carrier and how experienced the driver is. For example, Walmart pays their average truck driver $73,000 annually and few trucking jobs can reach over $100,000 per year in wages alone. There are also plenty of opportunities for promotions into management or higher-paying jobs at virtually every large trucking company.

Cons of Truck Driving

The first year as a truck driver can be somewhat of a challenge. Drivers are typically required to gain experience by driving longer distances before they are considered for local positions. This can be a big con for some as they don’t want to spend the time away from home. The good news is that once that first year ends there will be a variety of local driving jobs to choose from. Experience is valued in the trucking industry and will open doors to more desirable jobs with much higher pay rates.

There are certain cons that naturally come along with over-the-road (OTR) trucking jobs. It can be difficult to spend so much time away from home. Aside from missing their families, many drivers are also concerned with the lack of healthy options on the road. That being said, many trucking stops are aware of this and are adding healthier options as a result.

 

These are just a few of the pros and cons of working in the trucking industry. With the level of job security and earning potential, it’s clear that a career in trucking is worth it. Are interested in getting your CDL and becoming a professional truck driver? DriveCo CDL Learning Center can get you trained in as little as 4 weeks! Contact us to learn how you can get started in a new career that you’ll love.

There are a lot of misconceptions out there about the trucking industry. You may have heard that drivers don’t make much money or that trucking is a man’s job. Many of the stereotypes you’ve heard about trucking have no basis in reality and are just plain wrong! Here are 5 common truck driving misconceptions and why they are wrong.

Misconception #1: Truck drivers have poor hygiene.

Many people have this idea that truck drivers are scruffy and aren’t able to maintain their hygiene while on the road. This is actually quite far from the truth. It is true that truck driving can be physically demanding. Drivers must be able to keep their tractor-trailer going which often involves pumping diesel into the truck and performing minor mechanical maintenance.

The truth is that most truck driving stations and stops have showers and allow drivers to clean up, change clothes, and maintain hygiene like anyone else would. Moreover, while truck driving may be a more sedentary job, many truck drivers are purposefully focusing on their eating and drinking habits on the road to help them remain healthy despite sitting for hours on end. In fact, many truck drivers are healthier today than many manual laborers.

Misconception #2: Truck drivers are uneducated.

This myth couldn’t be further from the truth. Truck drivers must have great knowledge of how their truck works and how to fix many basic problems. If something goes wrong while they are on the road, they are typically on their own to figure it out. Whether it’s fixing a problem with the engine or putting snow chains on their tires in the winter time, truck drivers are responsible for taking care of their truck so they can stay safe on the road.

Truck drivers must also be highly skilled to control a 50,000-ton vehicle going at speeds of up to 60-70 mph down the interstate. To even get a CDL they must also know how to back up, park, and turn the truck. It takes a certain level of skill and knowledge to properly operate a tractor-trailer. Truck drivers are far from uneducated. They are good at what they do and keep our society moving along by meeting consumer demands.

Misconception #3: Truck drivers don’t make much money.

Truck drivers actually make a very good living and make a wage that is competitive to or even better than the pay of many other skilled workers. The average truck driver makes $45-70K+ each year. For example, the average Walmart truck driver makes about $73,000 per year and the top 10% of other truckers cash in at or above $58,000 or more annually.

There is no other career path that allows you to earn such a high wage in so little time. With CDL training at DriveCo, you could be finished with your training and earning a higher wage in just 4 weeks! Plus, as demand for drivers continues to rise, truck drivers are able to negotiate a higher wage for themselves.

Misconception #4: Truck drivers never get time at home.

While there are some over-the-road truck drivers that can be away from home for a few weeks at a time, many local drivers get to work a normal work week and come home every night. Some local truck drivers even work 10-12 hour days 4 days per week and get 3-day weekends. However, drivers typically start out in an over-the-road position first to gain driving experience.

Whether a driver is working locally or over-the-road, most trucking companies provide “hometime” that allow drivers to be home with their families for 5-7 days between assignments. While trucking is known as a life lived on the road, truck drivers do get to spend time and home and are usually allotted 2 to 4 weeks of annual vacation per year.

Misconception #5: There is a high demand because no one wants to do the work.

There is a truck driver shortage in the United States right now and the need for drivers is expected to rise with time. This is because the current population of truck drivers is retiring and there aren’t enough younger drivers taking their place. This has lead to an incredible need for truck drivers across the nation. Consumer demands for products and services are not going down, there will always be a need for truck drivers. The good news is that there will always be job security for those who decide to join the trucking industry.

 

Despite the stereotypes people have towards truck drivers, these are the jobs that keep the heartbeat of our country alive. They deliver goods and keep our store shelves full of the products we love. We really couldn’t do it without them! Are you interested in keeping America moving? DriveCo can give you the training you need in just 4 weeks. Contact us to learn more!