Smiling driver leaning against big rig truck and holding a tablet

Is It Time to Get Into the Trucking Business?

Is It Time to Get Into the Trucking Business?

Have you been interested in working in the trucking industry but been hesitant to start, not knowing if it’s the right time? Driving Academy is here to help you get started with CDL driver training, available at our locations in New Jersey and soon nationwide. Here, we share information about getting into the trucking business and how to know if it’s the right time.

Jobs in the Trucking Business

If you’re interested in joining the trucking industry, the first step is to be familiar with the job options. One of the most common is getting a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to become a commercial truck driver. Commercial truck drivers have special training to operate vehicles like tractor-trailers or tankers. There are different types of CDL licenses, and at Driving Academy, we offer training and testing for three types:

  • Class A CDL, which is required to operate vehicles weighing more than 26,001 pounds with a trailer weighing more than 10,000 pounds, like flatbeds.
  • Class B CDL, which is necessary to operate any vehicle heavier than 26,001 pounds with no trailer or one weighing less than 10,000 pounds, like box trucks.
  • Class B+P CDL, which is required for driving passenger buses or other vehicles carrying more than 16 passengers and weighing more than 26,000 pounds.

Getting a CDL allows you to drive a wide range of commercial vehicles, including those carrying large loads or hazardous materials (although you may need additional endorsements.)

If you’re not interested in driving a truck but still want to work in the industry, Driving Academy offers a unique opportunity to start a driving school franchise. We currently have two school locations in New Jersey and have more locations coming soon. Driving Academy has a mission of helping 1,000,000 people find their way to freedom by getting their CDL licenses. We need more franchises to reach our goal, so we offer franchisee training to people who want to work for themselves on their own terms. Franchising a Driving Academy school is a way to have your own business without needing to do all the work to start it. These are just two job options in the trucking business that Driving Academy offers.

Determining If the Time Is Right to Join the Industry

When deciding if the time is right to join the trucking business, consider the saying — there’s no time like the present. This is true for two reasons: the first is that you don’t want to waste more time sitting around and not pursuing a career you’re interested in. The second is that the current time actually is a good time for prospective truck drivers to join the industry. This is because there is a shortage of skilled commercial truck drivers. With more jobs available than there are drivers, companies are offering incentives like higher pay, benefits, and bonuses to entice drivers.

Why Should You Choose Driving Academy?

If you’re ready to get your CDL, there are several reasons to do so at Driving Academy. We are one of the few schools in the country that offers both CDL training and testing since we are a certified third-party tester. This allows us to give a CDL road test to anyone nationwide with a CDL permit, allowing our students to skip the process at the DMV.

Other reasons to choose Driving Academy for your CDL training include:

  • Qualified instructors with vast industry experience
  • Programs with 100+ hours of classroom, simulator, and road training
  • Flexible schedules with training 7 days a week (hours may differ depending on location)
  • Full course, half course, and guaranteed CDL training course options
  • Job placement assistance for your whole lifetime
  • Unique simulator training that provides ample training quickly
  • Affordable payment plans with as little as $500 down

Some of our coursework can even be done online and full-time students can be done in a month, adding to the convenience of Driving Academy education.

To learn more about why you should choose Driving Academy as your place to get started in the trucking business, read through some testimonials.

Contact Us Today to Get Started on Your CDL

Now that you know more information about the trucking business, it’s time to get started on your way to freedom. Driving Academy will help you get there with CDL driver training and road testing at our locations in New Jersey and soon to be nationwide, as well as franchise opportunities. With courses available for people with a CDL permit and those with no prior experience, Driving Academy is the place to go for high-quality training. Contact us today to learn more about our CDL programs and how to get started.