CRST Trucking School Review – Company Paid CDL Training

If you are worried about credit checks in order to secure qualifying for any of the company sponsored truck driving schools, you don’t have to worry. CRST Trucking School offers company paid CDL training for anyone who has a clean driving, work, and criminal history.

CRST offers to pay your CDL school cost in return for a 10-month commitment, making it a quick and easy experience on your way to your shining truck-driving career. In just 2 to 4 weeks, you can obtain your Class A commercial driver’s license (CDL) and be on the road making good money.

CRST Trucking School’s paid CDL training program is contracted through Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and typically lasts anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks depending upon the student. In that time, you can expect to train for 8 to 12 hours a day, 7 days a week through a combination of classroom instruction and drive training. If that sounds like a grueling schedule, just remember, you’re not paying any tuition costs.

CSRT also offers a company sponsored truck driving school program in which any applicant who qualifies can choose to enroll in any of CSRT’s 30 approved truck driving schools nationwide. CSRT will sponsor you and pay your school tuition up-front, payroll deducting the amount at $40 per week after you’re hired on as a CSRT driver.

If you choose to be sponsored at a CSRT approved school, here’s what you can expect:

• Depending on which school you attend, your training will last approximately 2-4 weeks.
• 20% of your truck driver training will be in the classroom and 80% will be behind the wheel of a truck.
• All state minimum requirements will be met, both in the classroom and in the truck.
• On average, there will be no more than 4 students per truck but, this will vary by school.
• You can expect to be very busy on a full-time schedule, Mon – Fri, maybe even Sat and Sun.
• Some of the approved schools also offer part-time paid CDL training on the weekends/evenings.
• If you are attending school out-of-state, you must transfer your license to that state.

What you’ll need:

• While breakfast and lunch are provided Mon-Fri, you’ll need money for meals on weekends.
• Money for miscellaneous expenses.
• Toiletries including soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, tooth brush, towels, a shaver, etc.
• 7 days worth of clean clothes (jeans, sweats, short and long sleeve shirts, winter gear if needed).
• Hat, sunglasses, work gloves, sun block if needed.
• Work boots (must be no-slip. Absolutely no cowboy boots allowed).
• A battery powered alarm clock.
• Flashlight and batteries.
• Notebook, pen, pencil, and paper.
• Sleeping and a pillow or twin-sized sheets and blankets for the truck.
• Any medication or medical items such as eyeglasses, contacts, inhaler, CPAP machine, etc.
• A Rand-McNally road atlas, truck stop guide & calculator (available from CSRT for $28).

Once you graduate from the program, you’ll enter the four-day orientation program to help prepare you for your training on the road. Then, once you’re finished with the orientation program, CSRT will match you up with a lead driver so you can receive one-on-one OTR training on the open road for 28 days. During your OTR training, you’ll be required to complete a minimum of 14,000 combined miles (between you and your trainer).

At first, your truck will be dispatched as a solo operation but, after 4-7 days, you and your personal trainer will operate as a team.

• You’ll get paid at 22 cents per mile split pay during your first 28 days (with the trainer).
• During months 1 and 2 as a full-time driver, you’ll receive 25 cents per mile split pay.
• During months 3 thru 5, you’ll receive 26 cents per mile split pay.
• During months 6 thru 11, you’ll receive 33 cents per mile split pay.
• Any student who pays for their tuition up-front will start out at a higher pay rate.

Typically, trucking companies require at least a year commitment, so if you are someone who is looking for a short-term investment of your time for free training, CRST Trucking School may be a good option for you.

Benefits:

• 2 to 4 weeks of paid CDL training at CRST Trucking School without any tuition costs.
• You are not required to obtain your commercial learner’s permit (CLP) before school.
• 10 months of guaranteed employment after you graduate.
• As long as you stay employed with CSRT for 10 months, your training is absolutely free.
• CRST Trucking School is provided by Kirkwood Community College and 30 approved schools nationwide.
• CRST will provide you with transportation to the CDL school with a payroll deduction later on.
• Your DOT medical examination and DOT drug tests will also be free with a payroll deduction.
• Your lodging will be free up front with a payroll deduction of $40 per week (cost is $150/week).
• CSRT will payroll deduct the cost of your DOT medical examination and DOT drug test ($100).
• Your payroll deductions will never exceed $40 per week, guaranteed.
• All your licensing and permit fees are paid by CRST.
• CSRT will pay the cost of your background checks.
• Your breakfast and lunch is paid for during each day of training.
• If you so choose, you can pre-pay your own tuition at a cost of $2500 before school starts.
• Pre-pay students do not have to sign a contract.
• You’ll make 22 cents per mile split during your OTR training.
• You’ll start out at 25cpm split pay and, after 6 months you’ll average 31cpm split pay.
• Pre-pay students get paid at a higher mileage rate than company paid training students.
• You can expect to receive a pay raise every 6 months to 2 years based on experience.
• You’ll receive full benefits: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and a 401(k) (after 90 days).
• After 13 months, CSRT will contribute 50% to your 401(k), up to a maximum of 6% of your pay.
• You’ll get paid vacation time: 1 week after 1 year, 2 weeks after 2 years, 3 weeks after 10 years.
• Your vacation pay is a $300 flat wage the 1st year then based on previous year’s wage after that.
• Trucks are late-model Freightliner & Volvo trucks under 3 years old, governed at 62 to 65mph.
• Trucks are equipped with electronic logs but do not come equipped with APUs.
• If you wish, you can request a personal trainer who doesn’t smoke.
• 80% of the freight at CSRT is drop and hook.
• Drivers are guaranteed home time.

Requirements:

• You must be at least 21 years of age to apply.
• You must have a valid state driver’s license for at least 18 months.
• You must undergo a background check.
• You must pass a DOT medical examination.
• You must pass a DOT drug test.
• You will be required to obtain your Hazmat Endorsement within 60 days of employment.
• Drivers who meet TSA req. can get their background checks/fingerprinting done at orientation.
• You must have a clean driving record for the past 3 years.
• You mustn’t have had an open container violation in the past 3 years.
• You mustn’t have had any drug/alcohol related violations in the past 5 years.
• You mustn’t have had more than 1 drug/alcohol related violations in the past 15 years.
• You mustn’t have had more than 2 drug/alcohol related violations in your lifetime.
• Any convictions on your criminal history report will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
• You must be physically able to perform the job requirements without any aid.
• You must be mentally and physically able to be away from home for at least 7 days at a time.
• No pets are allowed in your truck and no passengers are allowed (most trucks are run as teams).

CRST Trucking School Locations:

CRST Trucking School*
3930 16th Avenue SW
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404

*CRST paid CDL training is also available at various truck driving schools across the country.

If you found this article helpful, feel free to share it using the buttons below.