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CDL Training Near Albuquerque

Truck Driving Schools in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Albuquerque has plenty of educational opportunities for aspiring truck drivers and diesel mechanics, including five truck driving schools and one diesel technology program. The average cost of tuition is $1,310. Several schools in the Albuquerque area offer job placement assistance, including including Western Truck SchoolWestern Truck School, which offers job counseling to help you get hired before you graduate.

Choosing the Right CDL Program in Albuquerque for You

Like any product or service, it is important to compare your educational options to ensure you make the best decision for your career goals to avoid buyer’s remorse after the fact. When comparing your options it is important to do as much research as possible. Read reviews on the school, talk to people that have gone there before and ask the admissions reps questions. Below are some of the more common questions to consider asking when comparing programs for either truck driving or diesel mechanics.

  • What are your school’s graduation and career placement rates?
  • Do you offer any financial assistance?
  • Do you have relationships with employers that have hired your graduates in the past?
  • How many hours a week will I be devoting to school. And how many of those hours are in the classroom versus hands-on training?
  • Do you offer part-time, flexible or full-time schedules?
  • What type of equipment will I be training with?
  • What is the length of the program, the cost of the program, and how large are class sizes?

Questions like these should be your foundation for setting you up for success in your education. If you attend a school that you are not happy with, it is going to be harder to find the motivation to work hard enough to graduate. Keep these questions in mind as you are coming up with your own list of questions to ask.

Choosing the Right Truck Driving School

With so many options in Albuquerque and the surrounding communities for truck driver training, it can get a little overwhelming, so it important to narrow down the schools that meet your criteria. While keeping the above questions in mind think about your CDL training specifically. What factors are important to you? Consider things like, the type of trucks you’ll be training with, the number of hours or miles you’ll be on the road, the type of trailers you’ll be pulling, and other questions in similar nature.

Also, consider asking questions in regard to additional training for endorsements. Endorsements are special classifications on your CDL that show you have training with a certain type of haul. Common endorsements are Hazmat, Double/Triple-Trailer, and Tanker. These endorsements can show future potential employers that you are committed to the profession. Because of the specialized nature of these haul, not all drivers have them on their licenses, which means there is a high demand for drivers. Typically, companies are hiring for these types of drivers and will pay a premium to get them.

Consider Diesel Mechanic Programs in Albuquerque

There are two main diesel technology degree options in Albuquerque: a one-year certificate or two-year Associate’s degree. These are both offered by Central New Mexico Community College. In both programs, you get lots of hands-on experience. Contact each school below to discuss your goals and find out which one is right for you. Although most schools teach the same curriculum, you may find one school has benefits that appeal to you.

Work for Companies Near You

Diesel technology and trucking are very important in Albuquerque; the Albuquerque Journal Online reports that the trucking traffic in Albuquerque increase 57% between 2009 and 2014.

You may work at local trucking companies like Groendyke Transport, Swift Transportation, and Estes Express Lines, traveling large highways like the Pan-American Freeway and Paseo del Norte. Be sure to ask each school you speak with about their relationships with local employers. That’s a great way to find out how well they can help you seek employment when you complete your program.

Salaries in New Mexico vary depending on what trucking job you get. The Bureau of Labor Statistics claims that tractor-trailer drivers have an average income of $39,580 per year. Their estimates show that light truck drivers earn an average of $29,410 each year (BLS, 2013).

Don’t wait to put yourself in the driver’s seat with a career in trucking or diesel mechanics. Contact the schools below to get started.