For most students, enrolling in a truck driving school is the first step towards becoming a professional driver. It is a new career choice, and signing up for a truck driver training program is a fast move towards a plentiful job market. In many ways, USTDS “sells jobs” – it’s that simple! Entering the truck driving profession is a journey that will be life-changing for most who embark upon it.
For most students, this is a very arduous, and at times, frustrating path. It represents a step to stabilize or change their lives. Many have been victims of industry layoffs, or they have just not had a stable work history. In any case, enrolling in the USTDS CDL training program is a great way of changing all of that.
Working through the USTDS Admissions Process is the first of many steps that will ultimately end in graduating with your Class A Commercial Driver License (CDL) – and the start to your career as a professional truck driver!
In your first phone call or in-person meeting with a USTDS admissions representative, you will be introduced to our school, our philosophy, our training programs, and the plentiful job opportunities available in the truck industry today.
The admissions representative will discuss your current situation, and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to ask questions and learn more about what it means to be a truck driver, and all it has to offer. The admissions representative will help to introduce you to some of the challenges of working as a professional driver. And, you’ll learn that in as little as 3 weeks you can have your Class A CDL and start making a paycheck with a large, reputable transportation company!
Anyone over 18 years of age can go to school, although Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations require interstate commercial drivers to be at least 21 years old and a few interstate carriers require their drivers to be 23 years or older. Now, get ready! The admissions representative is going to ask you many screening questions to qualify you for training. You will be evaluated on whether you are a good candidate for the school and employability.
Employability is obviously an important factor to you, and our goal is to have a job for every one of our graduates. USTDS offers extensive job placement services, and more than 90% of graduating students find immediate work. In fact, with the help of USTDS personnel, most students have secured a job prior to enrolling in school, typically with one of the major carriers who have discovered the benefits associated with hiring a student from a certified school.
During the screening process, you will be asked about your current employment and any associated experience that you may have. You will be asked about your driving record and any blemishes that may be on it. You will also have to disclose any legal problems you may have that could possibly keep you from being hired. Don’t worry, you’re not the only one…these items must be flushed out as early as possible to allow the admissions representative to help you (and every other student) as best he can.
The admissions representative will discuss with you how you will pay for your training. Students are strongly encouraged to pay for school through their own means, but for those students that need financial help, USTDS can almost always find a solution. Our admissions representatives are very knowledgeable about the types of financial aid options available to students.
During this process, we will review your financial status, including obtaining a copy of your credit report. A review of your credit report will determine if you need a co-signer for any tuition loan. When we receive all of this, the admissions representative will quickly evaluate the information and make a determination as to the viability of you attending school.
After this, you will be given a brief summary of what you can expect if everything goes well – including the timing of your arrival, a list of documents you will need to bring with you, and any transportation and housing issues that may be relevant. You will also discuss the preparation class for your CDL permit (provided free of charge by the school) when you will need to get your DOT physical examination, and the start date and time for class. You will also receive information on the required drug testing at the school and again for the carrier you have applied with.
Our admissions representative will send you an enrollment packet for you to complete. This packet will contain all of the forms needed by the school and includes an application for the carrier you chose to pursue employment with.
1) Obtain a copy of your Motor Vehicle Record at your local Department Of Motor Vehicles
2) Pick up a copy of the Commercial Drivers License booklet (also available at the DMV)
3) Complete a work history for the past five years. The admissions department will verify your work history, and it must include the name, address, and phone number of any company listed. You must also explain any gaps in employment that extend a month or longer.
4) Have copies made of your current driver’s license and social security card. These copies must be clean and readable! The copies must be made from the original cards. Copies of copies will not be accepted. If needed, you can apply for a new original social security card at your local Social Security office.
Once the Admissions Process is completed, and your enrollment is approved, you are ready to start your CDL training! The admissions department will coordinate with you on getting your DOT physical, and your CDL permit test at the DMV. Your first school experience will be attending a preparation class for your CDL permit.
You’ll probably be rather hurried during your first few days at USTDS but it will be well worth the trouble! For now, take some time to mentally prepare yourself for your training, your upcoming graduation, orientation with your new employer, and ultimately your time on the road in your new career!