Frequently Asked Questions
answers to questions you may have about transtech
Is the school licensed?
What is the training schedule for the program?
Full-time Course (4-weeks)
Monday – Thursday 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday 7:00AM – 11:00 AM
Weekend Course (10-weeks) *Not Available in All Locations*
Saturday – Sunday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Evening Course (8-weeks) *Not Available in All Locations*
Monday – Friday 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Will the school help me with my DMV written test?
What happens if I fail my road test?
What if my driving record is not clear?
Why is truck driving a good career choice?
What can I expect to learn during CDL training school?
Practice makes perfect no matter what you’re doing! The most critical skills you will learn while attending CDL training occur both behind the wheel and inside the classroom. For example, you will learn the basic handling skills for driving a truck, such as backing, left and right turning, and coupling or uncoupling a trailer. The opportunity to learn how to operate a manual tractor transmission is available to those that prefer this option.
You will also learn about the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) safety regulations and operating procedures that you must follow while driving a tractor-trailer including how to read maps, plan trips, and keep accurate logbooks/records. It is important to remember to learn a lot more than just how to handle a truck to be a good truck driver, and that each part of the training will help you in the future.
Finally, you will learn how to perform a safety inspection before ever getting on the road. Thus, while enrolled in schooling, you will gain what you need to know to drive a truck and what you need to know to be a safe, prosperous, and professional truck driver.
Is there an age requirement to be able to obtain a CDL?
Am I guaranteed a job after the completion of training?
It is not the practice or policy of TransTech to guarantee you a driving job after you complete CDL training. Even programs that are company-sponsored or that ‘pre-hire’ you with a carrier cannot guarantee you employment. Your employment with carriers or any company as a driver is dependent on several factors including successful completion of the state CDL licensing test, completion of a Department of Transportation (DOT) physical and drug screen, and completion of the CDL training program. All of these conditions must be met before you can begin driving for any carrier.
How much can I expect to make during my first year of driving?
Those employed as truck drivers are paid per mile driven, thus your final earnings are dependent upon how much time you spend on the road. As mentioned, carriers also have incentive pay options which allow you to make more in wages based on how much you want to drive and what incentives you participate in or are offered. In the end, being a truck driver can be a very rewarding career both financially and professionally.
What kinds of jobs will be offered to me after the completion of training?
After you graduate from TransTech and obtain your Class A CDL, several possible career options are available to you. For example, you can work as a driver for a major trucking company, a small haul carrier, or even the government. Trucking positions are open in nearly every industry imaginable. However, almost every short-haul or local position requires that you have at least one year of over-the-road driving experience. Once you have completed a year’s worth of long-haul driving, most companies will be able to hire you for short-haul and even local driving positions.
Many students attend through our company-sponsored training with Schneider National, Swift Transportation, or Stevens Transport – and work for them for one year and then choose to either sign on as a company driver or owner-operator or leave the company for another position.
Do trucking companies have a Rider Program?
Generally, most carriers do not allow more than one passenger in the truck at a time. If having your family on the road with you is essential, you should find a carrier with a very liberal rider policy. Some trucking companies also offer team positions for either long-haul or dedicated routes. Many people choose to team with their husband or wife, brother, or friend if they feel that being alone on the road will be too difficult. Most companies require that the teams be naturally made, which means they won’t team you with a person you’ve never met before.
Team driving opportunities are great for people who have a family member or spouse interested in the trucking industry.
How long can I expect to be away from home?
The basic rule of thumb for the trucking industry is to earn one day of home time every week spent on the road. So, if you are out for two weeks, you will be able to come home for 2 to 3 days before being routed back on the road. Many trucking companies have policies regarding home time, such as promising drivers that they will be home 2 out of 3 weekends a month or giving them “personal days” to use on special dates like family birthdays or doctor’s appointments.
It is important to remember, however, that even local drivers sometimes work 10-hour days. In addition, trucking is a career that will take you away from your home and your family for some period, so be prepared to make that sacrifice if you choose to become a truck driver.
Will I be based in my hometown?
Every company is different: some carriers will allow you to take your truck home with you on your days off, while others specify that you must leave it at a company drop-yard or in a secure, public area. Most truckers live within 2 to 3 hours of their company drop-yards. You will be based out of your home area, and your dispatcher will route you according to where you live or where you park your truck. You will always be routed back to this same area for your home time as well.
Will I have to pay for fuel or maintenance on the truck I drive?
However, if you become an owner-operator, you will be responsible for paying for both your fuel and your truck’s maintenance. At the same time, owner-operators are like independent contractors for trucking companies, and the driver owns the vehicle he/she drives. With the price of gas so high, however, many trucking companies have been offering a fuel surcharge for owner-operators, which means that they will pay the driver extra per mile to help offset fuel costs. However, if you work as a company driver, you won’t have to worry about paying for your fuel or maintenance costs.
Will I have to load and unload the truck?
Most companies have between 75 to 85 percent no-touch freight, so a driver may still be required to help load or unload a truck in some situations. Most of the time, however, it will not be necessary to touch your cargo at any point in the haul.
Do I need a HazMat endorsement?
If you are interested in obtaining your HME, you can find an application at your local NC DMV. You will be required to pay for additional HazMat training and to pass a general knowledge test from your license branch, as well as complete a fingerprint analysis and background check from the Transportation Security Administration. More details are available at your nearest NC DMV branch.
What types of equipment do trucking companies use?
Today, many trucking companies have installed satellite systems such as Qualcomm in their trucks that allow drivers to use GPS navigation systems and in-cab email. A few major tractor manufacturers have also started making automatic transmissions for their machines, something that trucking companies have begun offering to new drivers. The best carriers take pride in their equipment and will provide the most modern, best-maintained trucks available to their drivers.