• An Accredited Truck Driving School
• On The Job Truck Driver Training through an Independant Contractor (Owner-Operator)
• On The Job Truck Driver Training through a distribution company like (Coca-Cola)
• A friend or spouse (not recommended)

Accredited Truck Driving School

The best way in my opinion is to go to an accredited Truck Driving School and get your truck driver training there. The cost of going to a Truck  Driving School can range from $1000-$5000 and can last up to 3 months long. When you leave the Truck Driving School you will have you CDL and most schools have a placement program to help you find a great Truck driving job in this now very competitive market.

Before you fork out the cash for a school consider checking into getting a grant with your local and state government. There are many grants out there that will pay for part of and sometimes all of the cost to go to a truck driving school. Also there are some companies out there that will pay for the training. The good thing about that idea is they usually require you to work for them for at least a year. Right now in the trucking industry it is hard to find a job if you do not have at least 1 year of experience with a clean record. After you consider those options you can consider paying cash for the school or you can get a loan. Some of the Truck Driving Schools have a Loan counselor at the school and can discuss your options.

Independent Contractor

Your next option is getting you license through an Independent contractor. This is a person who ownes his truck and is willing to train you himself. There are benefits to that but there are also some negative things to learning from an independent contractor. If you should go this route remember you will most likely be teaming with this person for at least 6 months and probably working for him for about a year.

The benefits can be numerous but the main benefit is that he owns the truck and wants to make a profit. He will train you how to drive his baby smoothly. He will have implement good profit making practices and expect you to learn them so that he won’t loose a profit. To him you are an investment and he will want you to help him make the best profit he can. Which boils down to shifting smoothly, taking the shortest routes, keeping receipts, correct log book procedures, and truck maintenance.

However Independant contractors usually been in the industry for a while and also have picked up some very bad habits. This is why you must be careful you don’t pick these up when learning from them. If you do train with an Independent contractor make sure you train with one with a great personality as you will be in the truck with them for 24/7.

Company

Some companies help you get you training through there company. Please check your local area for companies like Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Beer distribution companies.

Through your Spouse

This could be fun and it could be detrimental for you relationship. Remember you will be with that person for 24/7 .  Jen, went to school then I orientated her with commercial driving. That worked great for us. We have an awesome relationship where we can sit with one another for long periods of time. That is how I recommend couples to get into the trucking industry.

Thank you for reading. I hope this helps to lead you in the right direction to becoming a quality American Trucker,

Truckin Paul