Financial Assistance

RTDS understands that not everyone can afford the cost of the tuition up front. We offer several options to assist you with your tuition so you will be able to begin your training. You can pay via cash, check, credit card or bank transfer. Students also have the option of paying 50% at enrollment, and the remaining 50% before the start of their training.

Our representative will be able to provide you with all the details that will enable you to choose the best plan to suit your needs. Contact us for more information.

Becoming a safer Truck Driver

A competent CDL training program will cover road security rules and regulations, the basics of operating a commercial vehicle and inspection procedures. The courses should also teach you about the nitty-gritty of air brake systems (including pressure gauges and dual air brakes). In addition, you should also be informed about how to manage and inspect combination vehicles. We, at RTDS, provide over 10 years’ worth of expertise and a full-range of instruction programs, tailored according to the students’ needs and flexible schedules.

Did you know that there is a shortage of over 30,000 truck drivers in the US? While the perks of having a career in trucking seem appealing too many, few people manage to go through the necessary training and deal with the daily hassles of life on the road. Although there are companies which provide specialized programs and hire students from within the organization, most commercial drivers have to start small.

The majority of people involved in the trucking industry look for a cost-effective, reliable course that can be thorough in its teaching, as well as provide hands-on practice. If you’re interested to find out about what proper truck driver training looks like, here you will find a quick guide regarding the key-elements to focus on when choosing your program.

An effective instruction program will cover both theoretical and practical aspects of driving and will be geared towards classroom learning. Here you will study the rules and regulations of safe driving, what is needed of you in order to be a resourceful, fuel-efficient driver, as well as the particular road requirements for different states. The best truck driver training programs are usually developed by certified CDL schools, which have been inspected and reviewed by a third party. When it comes to the knowledge tests and driving examination, most schools will follow the US Department of Transport (DOT) standards and curriculum.

Whether you want to drive intrastate, interstate or foreign commerce, you will still be required to learn and practice the basics of commercial driving. This means that the truck driver training you’ve enrolled in should at least cover the following – signals on the road, trip planning logs, map reading, handling a larger capacity and weight load, safety rules and regulations, backing up, turning, loading procedures and managing logs for deliveries and hours spent on the road. At RTDS, we cover these essential topics and more, as well as provide students with a qualified instructor who can supervise them during practice.

Instruction programs are usually not free and require a relatively minor investment (compared to the thousands of dollars spent for university degrees and formal education). The cost of training will vary dramatically from school to school. However, the average price is around $3,500 to $6,000, which is reasonable when considering that you’ll be learning for a life-long career. But what exactly can a proficient truck driver training do for you? Aside for providing you with job placement within a reputable company, driving schools ensure financial security and long-term positions.

The national demand for commercial drivers is expected only to increase throughout the decade. Additionally, obtaining a CDL boosts your earnings considerably and allows you to work within a flexible schedule. Here are some other perks of joining the trucking industry – life insurance, paid vacation time, team driving for couples and friends, retirement savings plan and medical and dental insurance.

The most reliable truck driver training programs have instructors selected from the best in the business, offering extensive preparation for the CDL exam. Whether you choose to join a private school, a specialized company or a standard driving school, you should make sure that the training program and documentation they provide is certified by a third party. Moreover, we generally recommend that you check to see if the school can make you eligible for the type of permit that you require (class A, B or C), as well as allow for certain endorsements that you might want in the future.

A Better Driving School

Due to the significant shortage of drivers, companies are more than willing to increase salaries and offer extra pay for longevity and safety records. A job in the trucking industry can provide you with both financial security and the ability to travel on a regular basis. This type of consistency and flexibility allows you to know beforehand what you will do each day and exactly where you will be working.

Truck driving is without doubt one of the most straining and difficult jobs available today, but it’s also one of the most thrilling and rewarding careers one can pursue. If you’re independent, a bit adventurous, you can drive for hours on end and you work well with people, then considering a career in the trucking industry might just be one of the best decisions you’ve ever made.

While this is a job that will never bore you or cease to be unpredictable, it’s important to realize that the lifestyle and work environment of truck driving require an employee who can carry the load and be trustworthy. That being said, if you’re interested in finding out how you can make a profession out of what you love, then keep on reading for some tips on gathering information and experience in the trucking industry.

If you’ve decided that you want to become a commercial driver, then you need to learn more about how to get training and certification. Contrary to popular belief, there’s a lot of instruction and testing that goes into learning how to be a reliable and efficient truck driver. Training programs vary in both length and course consistency, but usually follow the same general guidelines. You can enroll in this type of program at a CDL driving school, which can provide you with one of the 3 types of licenses – class A (enables you to drive most combination and commercial vehicles), class B (for single vehicles) and class C (limited to smaller vehicles).

In addition, a decent CDL driving school will ensure that you have access to theoretical information and useful learning tools, as well as provide you with a medium in which you can practice your driving skills before your examination. If you’re interested in finding out more about the different types of specialized instruction courses available for students and eager drivers, you can browse through our Training Programs section and see which one is best suited for your goals and schedule.

Generally speaking, embarking on a lucrative career involves years and years of study and training. The exorbitant costs and often inflexible schedules can be very difficult to deal with and even leave you with unwanted debts in the future. With truck driving, all the learning and information available is condensed into courses which last up to a month. This can be both an advantage and a disadvantage, depending on the proficiency of both the instructor and the student.

A competent CDL driving school will offer you expertise when it comes to operating large vehicles, understanding procedures and anticipating unexpected situations. Moreover, you should also have the opportunity to gain firsthand experience with driving (whether in the school’s assigned location or in city driving areas) to prepare you for the CDL examination.

When it comes to payment, the license you own, whether you are an intrastate or interstate driver, as well as the CDL driving school you were affiliated with will all dictate your earnings. As a rookie truck driver, the starting salary is usually somewhere around $30,000. This is a decent amount, considering that you can get both your training and certification in one month’s time or less. In addition, if you have a class A license, you can receive extra benefits and earn up to $40,000 per year.

Once you become a more experienced driver and have more than 5 years under your belt, you’ll see your salary increasing yearly. Either way, in a relatively short period of time you’ll be able to earn a considerable amount, without any need for college degrees or formal education.

Training for your CDL License

Due to the significant shortage of drivers, companies are more than willing to increase salaries and offer extra pay for longevity and safety records. A job in the trucking industry can provide you with both financial security and the ability to travel on a regular basis. This type of consistency and flexibility allows you to know beforehand what you will do each day and exactly where you will be working.

With the right license, truck driving can turn into quite a lucrative, intrepid career. However, more important than your on paper certification is the experience and knowledge you gather during your training.

CDL training is offered by multiple truck driving schools from across the country, as well as by community colleges and specialized companies. The instruction program you choose is crucial in both establishing a solid information basis for trucking and finding an organization that you can associate with and land a job at in the long run. Moreover, even though certain employers train applicants from within the company, directly affiliating with a specific organization might not be beneficial long term. This is because if you only obtain a class B or class C license, you will have very few endorsements available and too many restrictions to deal with.

This is why it’s important to enroll in a program that can teach you and efficiently prepare you for unexpected situations, as well as offer you a reliable license and a wide array of opportunities when it comes to commercial vehicles. Proper CDL training will not only teach you how to handle large vehicles, but also provide you with the broadest training options and instruct you when it comes to cost-efficient driving and safety techniques.

A competent CDL training program will cover road security rules and regulations, the basics of operating a commercial vehicle and inspection procedures. The courses should also teach you about the nitty-gritty of air brake systems (including pressure gauges and dual air brakes). In addition, you should also be informed about how to manage and inspect combination vehicles. We, at RTDS, provide over 10 years’ worth of expertise and a full-range of instruction programs, tailored according to the students’ needs and flexible schedules.

The courses cover theoretical information and will precede your field training. You will be provided with study materials and comprehensive learning tools, including resourceful lectures and introductory demonstrations. Moreover, our CDL training program ensures that you get the chance to practice procedures firsthand before taking your final examinations. Our qualified instructor will guide you through safe operating procedures, emergency conduct, skid control and loading maneuvers, as well as supervise your progress. When you’re ready, the instructor will join you in city driving areas and allow you to practice driving, visual search, safety techniques and shifting in traffic.

So what are the requirements for enrolling in a proper CDL training program? They vary from company to company, but generally involve owning a valid driver’s license, being over 21 years old and submitting a DMV driving record. The cost of the courses will also vary greatly from school to school, which is why you need to carefully consider how much would be worth paying for a career that can generate around $40,000 per year.

RTDS offers several options when it comes to CDL training – a Full Program (which involves 160 hours of comprehensive, in-depth courses, as well as extensive range and road training), a 3-Week Program (designed for candidates with basic driving experience, 120 hours), a 2-Week Program (quick and efficient, involves 1 week of courses and 1 week of range and road training) and an Express Program (suited for experienced drivers who are looking for a fast, reliable certification, includes 3 days of hands-on practice). If any of these CDL training programs appeal to you or fulfill your current professional requirements, then take a closer look and apply!

Testing for the CDL

Are you interested in starting a career in the truck driving industry? Do you know the basics of handling commercial vehicles, but you’d like to enroll in a specialized instruction program to improve? Are you comfortable being on the road for several hours every day? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you need to learn about how you can receive training and a license for your practice. Keep on reading for a quick guide on what to expect from your future CDL test and how to best prepare for your written exam.

CDL stands for Commercial Driver’s License and is a clear-cut course designed to teach students how to securely maneuver a truck and other supplying vehicles. Aside from theoretical knowledge, the instruction program also involves practical tasks and activities conceived for developing hands-on experience with driving on public roads. In addition, students are educated about safety procedures, efficient loading and managing different types of materials. After your course has finished, you will be tested by your instructor both via a written examination and a practical “road test”. Before beginning your field training, you will be required to pass a written evaluation known as the CDL test.

Whether operating in intrastate, interstate or foreign commerce, all commercial truck drivers require a CDL. But before getting into the nuts and bolts of truck driving, you have to prove that you have the necessary information for this practice and pass a CDL assessment. The written exam generally features a series of tests covering general knowledge, combination vehicles and air brake. These quizzes are meant to assess if you have a basic grasp of elementary knowledge concerning road rules and regulations, safe management of commercial vehicles, as well as standard truck driving procedures and cargo weight.

Moreover, the tests are also designed to determine how much you know about functional topics like coupling and uncoupling and more specialized techniques such as trailer jackknife, safe backing and brake systems. Additionally, the air brake test is conceived to evaluate your knowledge of the air brake system and pressure gauges, as well as your ability to inspect and handle air brakes.

So how do you prepare for a CDL permit test? The first step is to find learning material or an online platform which can supply you with theoretical information. You can also try looking for your state’s CDL manual, which should cover topics including shifting gears, vehicle inspection, rail road crossing, driving at night and in different weather conditions, accident procedures, braking, managing space with other vehicles, controlling speed, skid recovery and driving emergencies. You can find a printed manual if you visit your local Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) or download an online copy from their website.

However, the manual alone won’t be resourceful enough to help with some of the tricky questions in the permit exam. This is why we recommend checking out some practice tests meant to prepare you for the evaluation and provide you with possible subjects. On our platform at RTDS you can find several learning tools, including a useful Hand Book with basic information and a Questions and Answers section covering the 3 types of knowledge tests.

Before you being studying, make sure you’re actually eligible for obtaining a CDL. In most states, the requirements involve owning a valid driver’s license and being over 18 (over 21 if you want to drive interstate). If you’ve got that covered, then all you have to do is find a manual and additional study resources and start learning and taking practice tests. After passing the written evaluation, you will be assigned for a CDL exam in order to receive your license.