You wouldn't buy a car without at least looking at it. Be sure to research the schools you are looking at before choosing where to attend.
Choosing a truck driving school is an important decision. There are many factors to consider. Below, we've explained things you should check out before choosing a school. Google and Facebook reviews tend to answer many of these questions.
Questions to Ask When Comparing Schools
- What is the quality of training provided?
- What do former students say about their experience?
- What are the instructors' backgrounds? Do they have OTR (over-the-road) experience and experience training professional drivers?
- Does the school provide job placement assistance with reputable companies after graduation?
- What is their student-to-instructor ratio during training?
- Does the school offer lodging or accommodations for students traveling from out of town?
- Do other reputable organizations work with the school? (local trucking companies, colleges, workforce programs, etc.)
Price
Price shouldn't be the deciding factor when choosing a truck driving school, but it's certainly something to consider. Most reputable schools fall within a similar price range. If you see a program that is significantly cheaper or more expensive - for example, a difference of $1,000 or more - it's worth asking why. The difference may come down to training time, instructor availability, equipment qualify, or job placement support.
You can view our current tuition and program pricing on our Tuition page.
Location
Many people pursue a career in trucking because they want to see more of the country while earning a living. Because of that, the location of a training school should not always be the deciding factor.
Sometimes the best training program may be a little farther away than the closest option. Clement students have traveled from as far as 2,150 miles (Seattle, WA) Training quality can suffer when too many students are assigned to a single instructor.
When an instructor is responsible for a large group, students may not receive the feedback and driving time they need to improve. Hands-on time behind the wheel is essential when learning to operate a 40-ton commercial vehicle safely and confidently.
At Clement Truck Driving Academy, our typical student-to-instructor ratio is approximately 4 students per instructor. This allows students more time practicing skills, receiving guidance, and building confidence behind the wheel.
You can still learn by observing other students perform maneuvers, but direct driving time is critical to becoming a safe and professional driver.
to attend training with us.
Before deciding based on distance alone, take time to read reviews and learn about the quality of training offered. In most cases, your CDL can be transferred back to your home state after testing. (Note: Maryland and Illinois have additional restrictions on transfers.)
Class Size and Student-to-Instructor Ratio
Training quality can suffer when too many students are assigned to a single instructor.
When an instructor is responsible for a large group, students may not receive the feedback and driving time they need to improve. Hands-on time behind the wheel is essential when learning to operate a 40-ton commercial vehicle safely and confidently.
At Clement Truck Driving Academy, our typical student-to-instructor ratio is approximately 4 students per instructor. This allows students more time practicing skills, receiving guidance, and building confidence behind the wheel.
You can still learn by observing other students perform maneuvers, but direct driving time is critical to becoming a safe and professional driver.
If you have any questions, please reach out to us. We're happy to assist you with any questions you may have.