North Carolina Truck Driving Schools

North Carolina’s economy has grown at a rapid rate over the past few decades which has caused an increase in demand for truck drivers. Now is a great time to obtain your Class A CDL license and join a industry that provides multiple career paths.

Use our tools to locate a truck driving school near your location. As you browse options, be sure to read online reviews as well as their Better Business Bureau page to make sure that they are a good school with few complaints.

Choosing a truck driving school

Before applying for a truck driving school, it’s a good idea to think about what type of truck driving school that you’re looking to attend. Here are a few questions to consider:

• Are you looking to complete training and get your license as quickly as possible? Or do you want to attend classes when it is convenient for you so that you can keep working your current job?
• Do you have a specific trucking company in mind, or are you open to working for any company that will hire you?
• What type of trucking job do you want to have? Not all jobs require Class A CDL licenses, but many will.

Types of truck driving school

Not all truck driving schools are the same – even though you will receive your CDL license in the end, the fact is that many are quite different from one another. Most commercial truck driving schooling options fall withing three categories.

Commercial schools

This is how most people associate truck driving schools. These are companies that provide a wide range of CDL classes and training options. These schools often have close relations with the largest trucking companies in North Carolina as well as nationwide, so they are an excellent option if you do not have a specific employer in mind.

The cost of truck driving schools in North Carolina can range anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000 depending on the level of training and the program that you choose. Be sure to discuss how much money is required upfront and what is covered in the cost. Most schools allow some type of payment plan options as they do not expect their students to cover the entire cost of the program before attending classes.

Companies

Many trucking companies in North Carolina provide “free” CDL training and certification for their new employees. As a part of new employee orientation, you will receive on the job training and classes to help you prepare for your CDL test. This happens within a relatively short time: typically 1 – 3 weeks. This is a great option for truckers who know who they want to work for and are looking to join the industry as quickly as possible.

While companies will advertise free training, it’s important to keep in mind the underlying costs of using a trucking company to receive certification. New employees will likely need to sign an employment contract. You will be required to work for the employer for a set period of time, typically around two years. If you terminate employment, you will be required to pay a fee for the training that you received. Your initial pay will likely be smaller than what your coworkers will receive, and you may not be eligible for certain benefits or forms of compensation. If you go the company route, be sure to read all of the fine print so that there won’t be any future surprises.

Community colleges

Many community colleges offer some level of CDL training. Occasionally classes will be offered at another government sponsored location like a public high school or a community center. These classes are fairly affordable and scholarships and grants may be applied towards the programs.

Classes will often fill up well in advance, and only a limited number of classes are offered within a set period of time. Because classes are often offered once or twice per week, going through the process of training can take more time than the other options. Classes may also only be offered during a specific time window, which may not work for everyone.