Western Pacific Truck School - How to choose a school

How To select a good school?

Now is the time…

for you to become part of this high growth industry. Professional truck drivers are in high demand.

The trucking industry offers great income opportunities. If you can meet the qualifications, it is possible to complete a relatively short training program at a good school and start earning $32,000 - $39,000 per year according to Werner Enterprises, System/TWT Transportation and Gordon Trucking (major carriers that recruit at Western Pacific Truck School).

Don't settle for less!

The training school should have adequate facilities,
equipment and trained instructors to provide the knowledge and skills necessary to become an entry-level driver for long haul or local employment.

The school’s truck driver training programs should be approved by the State’s School Licensing Authority (the Bureau for Private Post-Secondary and Vocational Education in California and the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board in Washington).

	The school should have proper classrooms for Instruction. The classroom should be comparable to the average public school classroom. In addition to lectures the school should have audio-visual equipment and materials to illustrate subjects where necessary. These may include training videos, slides, charts, etc.
	The school should provide various types of trucks, tractors and trailers and must have safe, well-maintained equipment.
	The school should have a designated area for behind-the-wheel instruction and vehicle handling and maneuvering practice; this area may also be used for backing skills training.
	Instructors must have proper education, training and experience. They should hold a qualifying certificate of attendance from a Train-The-Trainer course and be in compliance with the State’s regulations for Instructors. The school should display certificates of license for the school and each instructor.

Verify the school and instructor licenses with the local business licensing agencies. Listings for these agencies can typically be found in the State and Local Government Section of you telephone directory.

Before you sign a contract…

Visit the school and observe their facility and equipment.

Read the contract and know what you are signing, and how both you and the school are obligated.

Understand the tuition costs and possible forfeiture of the down payment if you don't complete the program.

If you have dependents, be sure they have enough to live on while you go through training.

Check in the availability of truck driving jobs where you live.

Additionally...

Be wary of promises of immediate employment. Verify school claims of endorsement with the Federal Government, Trucking Associations
or truck fleets.

Evaluate training schools by consulting trucking companies or associations in the area. Usually they can give you good advice based upon their knowledge of the quality of instruction at the school in question.

Be wary of extravagant claims made about what the school can do
for you. The State prohibits a school or representative from making any promise or guarantee of employment.

You should be satisfied that the school and training program you are registering for will adequately prepare you to pass the exam as administered by the State Licensing Authorities.

For more information about Western Pacific Truck School’s training programs, please call us
at 1-800-333-1233 or
contact us at nordic@wptruckschool.net