Some future truck drivers wonder how to get a CDL without going to a driving school. Maybe they have reasons that prevent them from attending a CDL truck driving school. Though it’s possible to get your CDL without attending a truck driving school, but many employers don’t want to hire truck drivers without a certificate of the completion from a recognized truck driving school.
It is important to go to a truck driving school if you’re looking to start a new career as a truck driver. Let’s discuss it.
The Reason For Attending a Truck Driving School
Most reputable companies prefer to hire new drivers who met a minimum of 160 classroom hours taken in a qualified truck driving school, especially if they want to develop long, stable working relationships with you. This rule doesn’t belong to the Department of Transportation’s requirements for a CDL but most of the large companies use it when look for a good driver. That’s why we don’t recommend you to get your CDL without going to school.
The most significant benefit of the attending a trucking school is that you not only gain the fundamental skills and knowledge, get ready to pass the CDL test, but also learn how to use those skills to set you up for a successful, lengthy truck driving career. When you start your career as a truck drive, don’t choose the cheap and quick route for earning a CDL.
Is There Any Way To Get a CDL Without Going to School?
You can ask your friend, a truck driver, to be your private one-on-one instructor. Unfortunately, such method can only help you to get your CDL, but companies won’t offer you a job if you don’t have a stamp of approval from a well-regarded trucking school. Future employers want to know that your skills are on the same level with other graduates from the program. Your choice to attend a trucking school or not will greatly affects your chance to be hired by large companies.
Also you will need commercial driving experience with a certain number of hours of behind-the-wheel through a training program if you want to pass your CDL exam. And very few commercial companies will hire candidates lacking in training school experience. Large employers would know if candidates have learned technical vehicle-trailer systems, proper road operations and all the regulations listed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
There are many online schools also, and you can receive your CDL there, but without practical behind-the-wheel experience with the assistance of a seasoned truck driver you won’t be able to have a successful career.
Gaining the proper education, CDL preparation, and experience in a truck driving school is just invaluable.
What Will You Learn at Truck Driving School?
As you have understood that to get a CDL without going to school is possible but to receive a well-paid job and be successful in a truck driving career is impossible without it. Driving a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) is not knowledge but a skill, and truck driving school makes sure that you know everything you need before hitting the road.
At our New Sound Truck Driving School, we’ll teach you how to operate different types of CMV, for example, dump trucks, hazmat vehicles, tanker vehicles, livestock carriers, passenger vans, and others. Our Tacoma Truck Driving School will teach everything you need to pass your CDL exam, including all of the trucking laws enforced by the FMCSA. In addition to extensive driving range experience NSTS’s certification also includes lessons on log books and map reading, instruction on air brakes and information about pre-trip inspections.