CDL Training Near Reading
Truck Driving Around Reading
Reading is home to over 88,000 residents, many of whom are reliant on major area highways like U.S. Route 422 and Pennsylvania Route 61, and being in the middle of Philadelphia and Harrisburg, Reading can often be a hotbed for the transport industry. There are quite a few trucking companies in this area, including Landis Transportation and Mason & Dixon Lines. The cost of living in Reading is 15% below the national average, so if you get a good paying truck driving job, you could find yourself with a comfortable living.
Let’s get you behind the wheel
There’s only one way to find out if you’re fit for life on the road: talk to schools that offer quality truck driver training. It’s pretty simple, and most programs are scheduled to be finished quickly so you can get going on your new career quickly. There’s one school in Reading that has a truck driving program: the AAA School of Trucking, but since you’re looking to make a career on the road, trucking schools in Philadelphia or Harrisburg might not be too far out of reach.
Get the CDL you need to find work
At AAA School of Trucking in Reading, you can earn a Class A or Class B CDL. Both of these programs boast small class sizes. As part of a small class, you can ask questions and interact more with your peers. You may also get to enjoy more driving hours. Driving hours are one of the most important parts of your truck driving education.
It’s important to contact many schools too, because not all schools are the same, and offer the things you are looking for. Some things you might want to consider are costs, availability of financial aid, length of the program, equipment you’ll use, hours on the road, and graduation success rate.
It might also be a good idea to ask if the school has any connection to the job community after you complete your CDL training in Reading. Schools that have partnerships with trucking companies can be an easy way for you to get a job upon finishing your training because the companies will know what type of training you’ve already received and they’ll have an idea of your capabilities. Also, consider asking about any endorsements they may help you get. Drivers that have specialties like HazMat or multiple trailer are often in high demand as well as paid more because of the specialized nature of the haul.
If you become a heavy or tractor-trailer truck driver, you join over 2,600 drivers that earn a median salary of $44,650 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2013). The 1,100 light truck drivers in Reading report an average salary of $32,860 per year (BLS, 2013).
Find out what it takes to get rolling toward a trucking career!