Beginning Trucking 101

So, you want to be a commercial truck driver?  Ok, let's get started with a few basics.  This blog will consist mainly of trucking within the state of Colorado since that's where I live, but there will be a few discussions on out of state trucking, weigh station procedures in other states, weather in other states and the like.

In order to be Commercial Truck Driver in the state of Colorado you must attend a state approved 160 hour Heavy Duty Trucking Course and successfully pass the course and graduate.  Graduating includes taking your Class A, B or C Commercial Driver's License test and passing it.  For the purposes of this blog, we will only focus on Class A CDL's and their endorsements.

There are multiple CDL driving schools here in the Denver, CO area however, for the time being, I'll list the two most popular one's and then I'll update the list later on.

US Trucking Driving School in Denver, CO and Fountain, CO
https://ustruck.com

Sage Driving School in Denver, CO
http://www.sageschools.com


Company Sponsored CDL Training
Be careful going with a company paid CDL School. The reason is, most want you to sign a 2 year contract to drive for them in exchange for them putting you through truck driving school.  If you quit or get fired before that 2 years is up, you are responsible for the balance of your truck driving school tuition in full and immediately upon termination.  Usually, most students don't have the money and the debt is sent to a collection agency which ruins your credit.  This is usually a last ditch, desperate effort for students who can't obtain financing, financial aid or their veterans benefits have been exhausted and there are no other alternatives.


Student Financed CDL Training
Most CDL schools offer financing.  Even if you have bad credit they usually let you put a few hundred bucks down and will still finance you anyways.  The good thing is, once you graduate and start with a company, the company will pay you x amount of dollars for every month that you drive for them which you can use towards your tuition payments.  This really is the best option because you aren't locked into a contract with a company who might fire you, lay you off or gradually reduce your miles.  Finally, if you have the money on hand you can just pay cash for your schooling.

County Sponsored Training
In Colorado you can apply through your County Workforce Office for WIOA (Workforce Investment Opportunity Act). They will pay for all or a portion of your training. Do not start training and then apply for the WIOA as it will not pay for training prior to funds being authorized. Also, this is a first come, first serve benefit. Once funds are exhausted by the County, you'll have to wait till the next year. So apply in November/December to get funding for the next calendar year. All military veterans are given preference over everyone else.

https://cdle.colorado.gov/wioa-js

Veterans Sponsored Training
Military veterans can use their Montgomery GI Bill benefits or if you're an eligible disabled veteran you may use Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation benefits to attend CDL School.  MGI Bill students should contact the school and speak to a counselor.  Chapter 31 VR students should contact their Voc. Rehab Counselor and initiate the process and then contact the desired school.


Learner's Permit and DOT Physical
Once you've figured out how you're gonna pay for school and you're enrolled, you should study the Colorado Commercial Driver's License manual and then go take the Colorado Commercial Driver's Permit test and get your CDL Permit BEFORE you start school.

You will also need to get a DOT Physical.  Most schools will pay for your Physical in the cost of tuition.  Doing this BEFORE you start school will ensure you don't miss anything critical in class or out in the yard with the trucks.

Now that you have your learner's permit and DOT Physical, you're all set to begin school and get started learning how to pre-trip, operate and backup a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) also referred to a tractor, and a trailer.

Good luck and happy trucking!