CDL Train-to-Hire Jobs

You need a commercial driver's license, or CDL, if you are going to tow large vehicles or drive a tractor-trailer or bus. It was once possible to drive any of these vehicles without a specific license, but, in 1986, the government implemented laws to make the highways safer. These laws require you to pass knowledge and skills tests in your home state in order to obtain a CDL.

Train-to-Hire Benefits

Unless you have an 18-wheeler or bus parked in your yard, obtaining your CDL without getting the training you need from an employer will be difficult. You will need to log hours on the road with a mentor in order to qualify for your CDL. On top of that, many employers have certified trainers to teach you the information necessary to get your CDL, which means you will save money by not having to pay tuition costs at a truck driving school.

Bus Driving Jobs

Truckers aren't the only drivers that need a CDL. You need a CDL if you are going to drive a vehicle with more than 16 passengers, driver included, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. This means that, if you want to drive a passenger or school bus, you have to be licensed. There is also a separate endorsement for bus driving and a more stringent endorsement for school buses.

What to Expect

When you're hired at a job that will provide your CDL training, you will be trained specifically to operate the vehicle you will be driving. Many companies offer incentives for training with them, such as training costs being either reimbursed or completely forgiven if you continue to work for that company. On average, you can complete most classroom instruction within two weeks, and most on-the-road training will last from three weeks to three months.

What's the Pay?

The average salary of heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers is $37,770, according to the BLS website, but some drivers make less than $24,730. As with any career, experience will play a major factor in your salary, so don't be too discouraged in the beginning. To compensate for the cost of your training, your starting cents-per-mile rate, or CPM, may be lower than that of a licensed driver. However, look beyond your CPM to determine if a job's pay is really worth it: A lower CPM and more miles means higher pay, whereas a higher CPM and limited miles may mean less.


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