Private Trucking Schools

Private trucking schools can be large with many locations or small time operations run by owner operators.  Generally private truck driver training centers provide CDL training in the shortest amount of time and have classes starting frequently. Often they can also cost more than other options of getting your CDL.  But the benefits might make up for the extra costs.  See the advantages below.

The smaller private CDL training operations might not start as often or they could be flexible depending on the needs of an individual or several students. Some drivers stop driving over the road and put the truck to work training students.  Some as a legitimate business and others more as a side hustle.* 

Be careful to do a search on any private truck driving school and see what type of feedback and reviews are given by previous students.

Small Private CDL Training Center

Advantages of Private Schools

• More choice in start dates
• Free to go to the company of choice when completed
• High paying trucking job when finish (You have freedom of choice)
• Often the training is quicker (Make sure you compare time behind the wheel)
• Often the people training have driven for many years themselves

Getting trained at a private trucking school will be your most expensive option in most cases. If you need to get trained and get on the road with the flexibility of being a commercial driver for what ever company you want, the private trucking school could be a great option.

When you call the trucking schools to protect yourself, ask if they are PTDI certified. This ensures that there are at least a certain level of standard and quality to the training for class a commercial drivers license.

Private trucking aren't governed by the same principles as public schools like your community colleges that may also train for CDL.

Because of this lack of accountability, without organizations like PTDI, obviously you will have some businesses that simply want your cash and will do what ever they can to get it. So they may claim to train you for a class a drivers license but you really are just a $dollar$ sign filling a seat.  You might not leave there actually ready to operate a big truck.

That's not to say that there aren't some great private trucking schools which are not certified for whatever reason.

It's just that finding out that one is certified should provide you a certain level of comfort.  If you find a trucking school that costs dramatically less than the others around it, do some careful research on what they provide.

If something seems too good to be true, it what? ......riigghht probably is. (Keyword, probably. Exception, if you happen to run across an owner op or small operation recommended by someone who is training personally for a much smaller fee, that may be a different story. Do some snooping around online and around the area of that operation to see if you can get any feedback.

However, if it is not an established or legitimate training you may be penalized even with your Class A CDL when it's actually time to get a job. If you already have an employer lined up ready to hire you as long as you have the CDL, your good.

Always compare the amount of hands on time behind the wheel, hours of class room training and the policy for refresher if you fail the test. These things could vary greatly among different private trucking schools as well as the costs.

Possible Disadvantages

• More expensive than other options
• Might not be up to standards that you expect (That's why you research)
• They might train you even if you're not qualified to get a job!
• Financing options will be costly
• Some smaller schools are side hustles and not well ran
• If the school is too small or unknown a well paying company might not hire you.  Or might treat you as if you have no CDL.  Meaning full training and lower starting pay.
  

Make sure you do your research on the private truck driving school that you are looking into attending.  Not all are created equal.  Look for trainers are actually passionate about training new drivers.

Lack of passion could indicate an operation that only exists due to the lure of profits without concern for you being prepared to safely get behind the wheel and operate a tractor trailer on the highway system.

Side Hustle Mom and Pop CDL Training

Realize that some people are not good at training.  This might seem to apply mostly to small single truck operations.  You need to search on them and even larger schools. 

Ask small operations for references.  Speak to the references and ask if they are working.

Also note:  Getting your training and CDL from a non establish side hustle might make it harder for you to actually get hired at a good company.  They won't be comfortable with what they feel you have been taught.

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