CDL Training: Where Do I Start?

Starting a truck driving career begins with a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). But how does one go about getting a CDL? Do you just go to the license branch and get one? Do you need special training? The questions can be endless.

Is a CDL Training Program Right for You?

Before you begin a training program, you must decide whether a career in truck driving is right for you. Understanding expectations and requirements before CDL training starts can help you decide if you’re one of those people.

Aside from just enjoying driving, to be successful as a truck driver, you have to have a lot of skills and the right temperament.

• Strength and stamina: You must be able to physically drive a big truck safely on public roads
• Patience: With long hours on the road and regular delays, both in traffic and with deliveries, a driver must be patient
• Communication: Drivers must be able to speak with and work with people they don’t know daily
• Observation: Spotting potential obstacles on the road or on a pre-trip inspection is important
• Navigation and planning: Drivers must plan routes, follow instructions, and plan for regular breaks as part of their job

What is Life on the Road Like?

A truck driver’s day is filled with solitude, since they spend long hours inside a truck cab. Truck drivers can spend significant time away from home and often work alone. A truck driver’s office is the truck cab, and their schedule follows delivery deadlines, not regular 9-to-5 hours.

Many drivers enjoy the independence and changing scenery that a truck-driving job provides. Others find the time away from family challenging.

Over-the-road truck drivers can spend days or weeks at a time driving across states to make a delivery. But drivers running local or regional routes may travel shorter distances, allowing them to return home the same day. The type of routes you drive depends on your employer and how they operate.

Skills and Mindset Needed to Succeed

Truck driving rewards those who approach it with realistic expectations and commitment. If you enjoy independence and staying focused for long periods, this career might be a good fit.

• Technical skills. Understanding vehicle mechanics, navigation systems, and load management
• Focus and patience. Staying alert during long drives and handling traffic or weather delays
• Self-discipline. Managing time, health, and rest without supervision
• Problem-solving abilities. Handling unexpected situations like mechanical problems or route changes
• Communication skills. Drivers work with dispatchers, dock workers, and customers.
• Physical fitness. While you don’t have to be an athlete, driving for long periods takes a toll on your body and requires strength and stamina to complete each day.

Kansas CDL Requirements

You must meet these basic requirements to get a CDL in Kansas:

• Be at least 18 years old to drive in-state; 21 years old for interstate driving
• Have a valid regular driver’s license
• Pass a Department of Transportation (DOT) physical exam
• Complete required knowledge and skills tests
• Maintain a clean driving record

These requirements prepare you for operating commercial vehicles safely.

Getting A Class A CDL

A Class A CDL gives you the most truck driving job opportunities. Having a Class A CDL means you’re qualified to operate any vehicles requiring a Class A, B, or C CDL.

A Class A license allows you to drive combination vehicles over 26,000 lbs., where the towed vehicle weighs over 10,000 lbs.

Key Vehicles You Can Drive:

• Tractor-Trailers (Big Rigs): Standard semi-trucks.
• Flatbeds: Carrying oversized or heavy cargo.
• Livestock Carriers: Transporting animals.
• Buses: With passenger endorsements.
• Any Vehicle Requiring a Class B or C CDL

Earning a CDL, Step by Step:

1. Get a commercial learner’s permit (CLP) by passing written exams (you must pass with at least an 80%)
2. Enroll in a CDL training program and complete the required 160 training hours with a qualified instructor
3. Pass the skills test (pre-trip inspection, basic controls, and road test)
4. Submit paperwork and pay fees

Company-Sponsored Training or Independent CDL School?

You have two main training options for earning a trucking license: go to an independent CDL school or do company-sponsored training.

Independent CDL Schools: What to Know

Independent CDL schools can offer ELDT-compliant programs that give you full ownership of your license when after graduating. You’re free to apply to and accept offers from any trucking company you’d like. This path provides career flexibility, freedom, and control over your career.

Training at an independent school has important advantages:

• Own your CDL completely after graduation
• Pursue better job opportunities right away
• Companies pay higher wages for qualified experience
• Many employers offer training reimbursement programs
• Better home-time arrangements become available

Company-Sponsored Training: What to Know

Some trucking companies run their own training programs. This option seems cheaper at first glance, but there is a catch. Company-sponsored CDL training requires you to sign a contract that forces you to work for the trucking company for a set length of time.

You may work only for that company until the contract ends. Some trucking companies force these employees into routes where limited home time becomes the norm, and team driving can become mandatory. Company-sponsored training trades short-term savings for longer-term career limits.

Comparing Costs and Commitments

At independent truck driving schools, students pay for their own training. Once they graduate, they also can make their own career choices, without contracts that lock them into a required employment situation for years after. Many employers who hire new truck drivers provide tuition reimbursement that covers initial costs.

Company-sponsored programs cost less initially but restrict options for several years after. While a guaranteed job sounds appealing on the surface, it will likely come with limited job mobility and flexibility. Pay rates often stay lower, and the employer will have control over routes and job types.

Most drivers find that independent CDL schools offer better value long-term. The higher initial investment pays off through career flexibility and better opportunities.

Apex Technical Institute’s Class A CDL training is an ELDT-compliant program that can help you kick off your truck driving career. Contact us today and learn how.

FAQs

What is a pre-trip inspection?

The pre-trip inspection is a mandatory check of an entire truck and trailer before starting a trip. Learning how to properly complete a pre-trip inspection is a critical part of CDL training.

Can I get financial aid for truck driving school?

Yes. Like colleges and other schools, students can be awarded grants, scholarships, student loans, and other forms of financial aid. Before enrolling, students should complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine their eligibility for some types of aid.

Can I visit a CDL school before enrolling?

Yes, and most truck driving schools prefer you do. You can visit a school by contacting the admissions office and scheduling a time to visit. You’ll have an opportunity to ask questions during this time too.