Trucking School FAQs - Questions and Answers

What is a truck driving school?

A truck driving school is a specialized CDL training program designed to train individuals to become professional commercial truck drivers. Within these schools, experienced professionals (teachers/instructors) guide students in their preparation for the commercial driver's license (CDL) skills test. This is the test they must pass in order to obtain their commercial driver's license and be eligible to operate large commercial trucks in the United States.

Some trucking schools offer Class A CDL training, some offer Class B CDL training, and some offer both. Roehl Transport offers a step-by-step guide to getting your Class A CDL and a step-by-step guide to getting a Class B CDL. Roehl also provides paid on-the-job training to employees as they earn their class A CDL.

Does every truck driving school train people to get their CDLs?

In short, yes. However, while you can get CDL training from a transportation carrier or school, to actually get your Class A CDL (and in some cases, a Class B CDL too), the school or program must on the with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) (learn more about the Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) mandate). Make sure the CDL training program you are considering is in the registry.

Can you get a CDL without going to a truck driving school?

Yes. Some companies offer in-house training, or sponsor students as they seek CDL training. Many company-sponsored CDL training programs are run through truck driving schools, and in some cases, a trucking company may actually own the truck driving schools that they send candidates to. If you are asking yourself if you can get a CDL without going to school, you may want to review this blog post CDL School: Answers to Commonly Asked Questions.

Roehl's training program is like a truck driving school in that you'll get the training you need to obtain your CDL. Roehl's on-the-job CDL training program that helps trainees to earn their CDL while they work for Roehl. When you start the program, you become a full-time employee of Roehl. Instead of paying tuition, you'll be getting paid while you learn!

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How much does truck driving school cost to attend?

The average cost of attending a truck driving school varies. Generally, the cost ranges from $3,000 to $8,000 for a basic 3- to 4-week program. Some programs cost up to $10,000 or more for advanced training that includes endorsements and specialized skills.

Roehl Transport's on the job training is a unique program that allows candidates to get paid as they earn their Class A CDL. Whereas typical driving schools charge students thousands of dollars to attend their program, Roehl pays students while earning their CDL, then $112 per day during Phase 2 training with a certified driver trainer..

If you're considering a typical truck driving school to earn your CDL, there are many factors that can influence the cost of school. For example:

• Reputation. Schools that have a good reputation and good record of job placement often offer better quality instruction and therefore cost more.
• Public versus private. Some community colleges offer truck driving school more affordably than private truck driving schools. These programs can sometimes have long wait lists or have longer program lengths.
• Equipment. Truck driving schools often own expensive trucks for teaching students. More expensive schools typically have more trucks, newer trucks, and higher-quality trucks for students to use while learning.
• Lodging and commute. If the truck school of your choice is not located near your home, you may need to pay for lodging while you're there.

Do I have to attend CDL A training near me?

You do not need to find CDL training near you. Recent improvements in how states share licensure information means you can often train for your CDL further away – so you can choose the program that works best for you. Keep in mind that expenses for truck driving school can go beyond tuition. Attending truck driving school far from your own home will require you to pay for lodging and meals during that time.

Roehl offers CDL training in multiple locations around the United States, and if you are accepted to Roehl’s Get Your CDL Program, Roehl will provide lodging and most meals during that time. And, because you are hired on your first day of training, instead of paying for a CDL, you’ll be paid while you get your CDL.

Will I get paid while attending CDL school?

If you're accepted to a typical truck driving school, the answer is no. Some programs provide a per diem or other honorarium (that’s often charged back to you, if it’s a company-sponsored program). Amazon’s Career Choice Program offers training while you are still employed with Amazon – meaning you’re working your job AND going to CDL school.

If you are accepted and attend Roehl's CDL training program, you will be paid as an employee of Roehl – your job is literally to train for the skills you’ll need to get your CDL!

How long is truck driving school?

A typical truck driving school can last up to six weeks, depending on the program and whether you're attending it part-time or full-time. Some community college programs are much longer. This involves training in a classroom and then driving with an instructor on the road. Unless the school is local, students stay in a hotel or lodging nearby and pay for meals.

Roehl's training program is three weeks long, and during that time, Roehl provides lodging and most meals. At the end of three weeks, drivers have the knowledge and skills needed pass the CDL skills test and obtain their Class A licenses. They are also be paid for their time working with Roehl.

What are the upfront costs to attend trucking driving school?

No matter where you go to get your CDL training, you’ll need a commercial learners permit (CLP) in order to train to drive a truck. The permit fee can be up to $90 depending on the state. You may also pay for a manual or other resources while you study to take the CLP test.

Some truck driving schools include a week of CLP training before the actual CDL instruction. Typically, this week of training is provided whether you need it or not.

Roehl Transport is different. Roehl offers a number of free resources to help students who want to study to take the CLP exam. These resources include important contact info, a step-by-step CLP guide, and free CDL practice tests to help you prepare for the written tests, Roehl’s resources are there to help you as you work toward getting your CDL.

In addition to any costs that you incur while getting your CLP, you'll also pay:

• Tuition (if it isn't covered by a company sponsor)
• Lodging and food (if you're going out of state)
• Time off work, if you must take time from your job to attend class

What are the requirements or prerequisites for attending truck driving school vs. Roehl's training program?

How they are the same: The requirements for becoming a truck driver are the same regardless of how you obtained your training (read about Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT)). Each truck driving school - and Roehl - aligns their requirements with the requirements for becoming a truck driver. As a result, the requirements to begin training are very similar.

Typical requirements include:

• Provide proof of state and US residency
• Be at least 21 years of age (at least 18 years of age to drive intrastate)
• Provide identity and Social Security number verification (check your state’s requirements)
• Complete a Medical Examination Report Form and Medical Examiner’s Certificate Form Pass a vision test
• Obtain a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP)

Because the role of a professional truck driver is federally regulated, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has created the Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) mandate. The ELDT establishes a uniform national benchmark to ensure all new drivers have the same safety skills regardless of their licensed state, the school or CDL training program where they learned to drive.

How they differ:

Some trucking schools have different requirements depending on if you are getting a Class A CDL or a Class B CDL, so it's important to check with the specific school you're interested in to ensure you meet their requirements.

Getting into a traditional truck driving school doesn’t guarantee you a job with a trucking company, so many truck driving schools will ask you to get a pre-hire letter from a trucking company before starting. This is not a requirement when you're getting your CDL through Roehl. Because Roehl Transport’s CDL A training program is a job, you’ll know which division and fleet you’ll be in before you even start your CDL training.

Most truck driving schools require you to have a clean driving record with no major violations, such as DUIs or reckless driving. Some schools may also require you to pass a drug test and physical exam before enrolling. Roehl requires a DOT urine test and non-DOT hair follicle drug test as well as a new DOT physical - unless you have an existing physical that can be accepted, or you have a valid medical card.

Remember, when you're accepted into Roehl's CDL training program, you're actually accepted as an employee of Roehl. For this reason, Roehl's requirements are the kind of requirements that you would have to pass to get a job with one of the best trucking companies in the United States.

Again, Roehl provides many resources to help you find success, and Roehl has teammates who can also answer your questions via the phone, text, email and even social media.

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What is the duration of a typical truck driving course?

The duration of a typical truck driving course can vary depending on the program and the student's schedule. Some programs offer full-time courses that can be completed in as little as four weeks, while others may offer part-time courses that can take several months to complete. It's important to research different programs and their schedules to find one that fits your needs and availability.

Some factors to consider when choosing a course include:

• Will you need to continue working while you're attending trucking school?
• How quickly do you need to get your CDL?
• Do you have childcare or other responsibilities to juggle while seeking your CDL?

Remember, if you're getting CDL training from Roehl, you'll be paid while you are training and will not need to stay on at your old job while you're finishing the training program.

Do truck driving schools offer job placement?

Some truck driving schools help students who graduate from their program to find a job in the trucking industry. Placement is not a guarantee and many schools that offer placement help will publicize their placement percentages, so you can see for yourself just how many students they're able to help find jobs when they graduate.

You'll notice that these schools do not have 100% success rate helping students find a job. Some truck driving schools may bring trucking companies in to present to their students, and you should also know that some schools may have a financial relationship with a trucking company (or trucking companies).

When you attend Roehl's CDL A training program, you'll have peace of mind knowing that you already have a truck driving job because you are hired on the first day. When the training program is complete, you'll have the credentials and skills you need to start your over the road training with a certified driver trainer.

What is the typical starting pay for students out of trucking school?

Starting pay for a truck driver varies a lot depending on who you drive with and where you're driving. At many companies, first year drivers earn approximately $40,000 to $45,000 per year, with the lowest 10% of truck drivers earning as little as $30,000 annually.

At Roehl, even first-year drivers are able to earn above the national average, with inexperienced drivers on their way to $60,000 or even more after about 9 months on the job. Top earners at Roehl earn more than $100,000 per year.

The amount you earn will depend on many factors – from the type of freight you haul to how many miles you drive to how often you are home. Trucking company pay plans may also impact how much you can make. Further complicating things are how your miles are calculated and even the cents per mile you earn. Again, Roehl has resources to help.

Roehl Transport is a leader in how miles are calculated (address-to-address practical route mileage instead of HHG/Short Route) and an innovator with driver pay packages (Dyanmic Pay Plans instead of a flat CPM).

For example, Roehl Transport offers Practical route mileage, while many other carriers offer Household Goods Mileage. Household Goods Mileage (HHG) calculates the shortest distance between the starting and ending points on a route, and pays drivers for those miles. Often, drivers do not take the shortest route. Instead, they take the route that takes the least amount of time to drive. This means that many drivers are shorted on their mileage when they're paid by their carrier. At Roehl, driver miles are calculated based on the pick-up address and delivery address using practical route mileage, which means they're paid for more of the miles they actually drive.

What happens after truck driving school?

Once you get your CDL, it's time to start your career. If you do not have a job lined up already, then you'll need to find the right trucking company for you.

No matter where you get your CDL, the first few years out of CDL training are the most critical for your career. The carrier you choose will provide you with your first on-the-job training and experience. How're trained once you have your license can make all the difference in your truck driving career. You’ll want to ensure you are trained to do the job of a professional truck driver by a safe and reputable company.

Roehl Transport was started by a truck driver, and the company’s CEO is also a driver who still maintains his CDL. Roehl has been training new truck drivers for over 30 years, and the company has been successful for over 60 years. Roehl is built on values, and the company operationalizes and incentivizes safety (Roehl paid its drivers nearly $4 million in safety incentives in 2023). Plus, Roehl Transport shares profits (and has done so every year since the creating of the Profit-Sharing Plan).