You see the ads everywhere! Truck driving companies offering you the opportunity to get into the business. No CDL required, paid training, newer model trucks. All the ads read the same. They say they'll send you to school, pay you while you're training, and assure you that you will only be on the road for two weeks at a time. Sounds great, especially all the money they make you think you'll be getting.

Here's some of the simple truths, from my own experience. The things they don't tell you. You are still responsible for paying for you schooling and paying for your CDL test. They try to fool you into thinking you get a discount on your schooling if you go through them, not true. It's the same price either way. The pay they give you while you're in school, although not great, is actually a cash advance on your first paycheck. Once you complete school, you have a month of training through the company. You are paid about $300 per week, before taxes, during this training. The two hundred dollars you received during your schooling, comes out of that first check. If you survive the seven or more weeks of classes and training, you will finally be on your own. The money still does not start coming in just yet. Once on your own, they start holding out for insurance, your schooling, and other charges depending on the company you work for. You may get the miles, and feel as if you deserve the pay. Once they finish taking out what they can, you're left with a weekly check of about $350 or less.

If you're thinking of getting your CDL to drive with one of these companies, make sure you can afford it! For the first year, you will not make anymore than you could make in a local factory position. It's your choice. Be gone from your family and barely get by, or stay home and work a factory job. Just make sure you ask as many questions as you can think of and get as many details as you can, before you sign up with one of these companies. Check your finances, verify what you can expect to bring home in pay, and get it in writing how long you will be out at a time. Don't end up putting yourself and your family in debt, like we did. Get the facts and compare companies. Good luck in all you do!

Learn more about this author, Heather Hancock.
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