While there are other choices for acquiring a CDL, most require considerable outlay of money. The training offered by the employer is the least expensive option for most new truckers. There are costs involved, however, because the company will nearly always require that the new employee sign a contract for one or more years of employment.
In-house training for a CDL usually requires from three to six weeks before licensing. This includes time on the road as well as classroom training. Most trucking companies compensate the new employee with a starting salary during the training period, thus easing the financial burden of being without any income. Rates of pay vary from company to company.
A student signing a contract for in-house CDL training will be making a serious commitment of time and effort to the company in return for the training needed to acquire a CDL. If the employee breaks the contract by leaving the company at any time during the contract period, a penalty will undoubtedly be imposed. The penalty is predetermined by the employer and may require that the employee reimburse the company for the training.
Licensing for a Commercial Driver's License requires that the applicant pass a written test in nearly every state. For that reason, the in-house training will focus classroom time on study of the state's driver's license manual, an especially detailed one in most cases. Some states insist that the applicant pass a certain percentage of the tests' questions to obtain a license.
Anyone considering accepting employment with a trucking company should consult with some references before signing a long contract. The Better Business Bureau, Chamber of Commerce, local businesses who employ the company for transport of goods and fellow drivers may be a starting place. Ask about the company's reputation and about driver satisfaction with both the job and the training.