CRST Van Expedited Get Your CDL

How to get your Class A CDL with CRST

"If you have ever wanted to be a professional OTR driver,
CRST can make it happen!"

Are you interested in another position? 100% Paid Schooling Recent Graduates Experienced Drivers Owner Operators

Call a CRST Recruiter Today! 800-439-4825

CRST is the nation's largest team carrier and trains thousands of new drivers every year.

We train students to become professional drivers better than anyone else. We take great pride in bringing many new professional OTR drivers into the industry each year. However, we don't own or operate our own schools. We contract with about 30 independent driver training schools across the country. These schools provide our students with a quality education and training program, which leads to the student's earning a Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) from the state where the school is located. We send you to a school that regularly trains students for CRST in a 2, 3, or 4-week program. They lay the foundation for you as a student driver. Classes generally start every week of the year. This is Phase I.

After graduating from school, you will attend a 4-day Orientation program at one of CRST's terminals to prepare you for your actual training on the road. Orientation is considered Phase II. When you graduate from Orientation, you will be matched with a CRST Lead Driver (trainer) and enter Phase III. This is the hands-on finishing program that provides actual on'the-job training. You will move freight across the nation's roads and highways, develop your skills and knowledge, and experience life on the road. After Phase III, you will head home for a few days of rest, and then you will be matched with a co-driver and head back out on the road as team.

You have two choices regarding who pays for your training:
CRST's company-sponsored training or you may prepay your training costs. Each has its advantages.

Choice 1 Company-sponsored training to get your CDL with an 8-month contract. If you need to obtain your class A CDL, but lack the funds to do so, we offer an outstanding company-sponsored training program. With no credit checks! In return, we ask that you work for CRST Van Ex for eight months. At the end of eight months, you are free to stay or leave, it's that simple. You will sign an 8-month contract and be what we call a 'contract' student. CRST will not deduct the cost of your training from your paychecks.

You will be responsible for paying a CRST processing fee of $50 on the first day of school and any fees related to obtaining your class A permit and license. These fees vary by state and are usually less than $100, although there are some exceptions

Payroll Deductions to Expect

The items listed below are paid for by CRST up front. These items are only for costs associated with school. CRST will pay for transportation and lodging to orientation. Paycheck deductions will begin after your sixth week of employment with CRST. Your total payroll deductions will not exceed $40 per week for all of these items combined.

1. Bus Ticket to or from school - This cost depends on the distance traveled. If you provide your own transportation there will be no deduction.
2. DOT Physical/DOT drug and alcohol test - The total cost is $100 ($50 for each).
3. Lodging - The average cost is $150 per week. If you do not use our lodging, there will be no deduction.

Choice 2 - Prepayment plan to get your CDL with no contract and a higher starting rate of pay! Another option to obtain your CDL is to prepay your training costs. In return, you do not have to sign any contract and you will start driving at a higher rate of pay than a contract student. (You would be a 'non-contract' student.) The prepayment amount is $2,500 and must be paid prior to starting school by money order, or it may be charged to a credit card. Compare this to private truck schools that charge $3,000 to $5,000 for a class A CDL!

Under this plan, you do not have to pay the CRST processing fee of $50, for transportation to school, for the physical or drug test, or for lodging.  You do have to pay for any CDL permit or licensing fees.

Call a CRST Recruiter Today!
800-439-4825

Preparing to go to a CRST Contract School

Important Documents

1. Valid United Sates Driver's License (If your license has a vision restriction you must bring your glasses and prescription sunglasses if you have them)
2. Valid Social Security Card (Must be original, cannot be laminated, worn or illegible)
3. Acceptable immigration documentation, if you are not a US citizen.
4. Any employment documentation required to complete the CRST driver application (3 personal references, and your recruiter might ask you for unemployment records, tax forms for self-employment, notarized letters, etc.)
5. Voided Check for transfer to your bank account
6. Original copy of Birth Certificate
7. For females, any marriage and divorce certificates

Personal Items to Pack

• 7 days of clothes (jeans, sweats, short and long sleeve shirts, coat, winter clothing if necessary)
• Work Boots/Treaded Tennis shoes (Flip Flops and Sandals are not allowed during training or Orientation). NO cowboy boots, NO smooth-bottom shoes!
• Work Gloves
• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Battery Powered Alarm Clock
• Flashlight
• Toiletries (towels, wash cloths, toothbrush, tooth paste, shaving materials, soap, deodorant, etc.)
• Bedding for the Truck (sleeping bag or pillows blankets (twin size sheets)
• Do not bring tools!
• Notebook, pen, etc
• Motor Carrier Atlas, Truck Stop Guide and Calculator (CRST Van EX does offer this Atlas Package for $20 and is mandatory to have)
• Medication if you are currently taking any
• Bus Confirmation Number (if taking the Greyhound)
  *It is recommended to pack in duffel bags vs. suitcases to stow away easier.
  If using a Greyhound bus ticket, one 50-pound and one 25-pound bag are allowed free of charge.

Call a CRST Recruiter Today!
800-439-4825

How Much Money Should I Bring?

• $50 Processing Fee (contract student).
• Licensing Fees (these fees will vary from school to school. Please make sure you contact your recruiter for the correct amount needed)
• Meals (Plan according to how long your school training and orientation will be)
• Miscellaneous (all other personal purchases such as cigarettes, laundry, etc)

Transportation

Bus Ticket

1. If necessary, your CRST recruiter will order a bus ticket through Greyhound. He or she will also provide you with a schedule of when the bus leaves and arrives.
2. Confirmation Number- CRST will provide your bus confirmation number. Please do not lose.
3. Your recruiter will also provide you with the correct information to be picked up at the Greyhound Station along with contact numbers when you arrive at school.
4. Plan on being at the Greyhound Bus Station at least 1 hour before your departure time.
5. If you plan on providing your own transportation please contact your recruiter for directions.

What To Expect At School

• DOT Physical Exam; DOT Drug Screen; and an Agility Test will conducted on the first day of school.
• 20% will be classroom time and 80% will be driving time. Expect to be very busy on a full-time basis Mon-Fri, and possibly on a Saturday or Sunday, depending on your training location. A few schools also offer part-time weekend training and/or evening classes. Please ask about these locations.
• Be attentive and take good notes.
• Keep a positive, professional attitude, for you are on your way to a new career with a CRST Van Ex!
• We require all drivers to obtain their HazMat endorsement within 60 days of their employment. To expedite this process, those drivers meeting the TSA requirements can get their background checks and fingerprinting done during orientation. CRST will pay for the cost of the background process.
• If you have any questions please call us.
• If you are attending a school out of your state of origin you will be required to transfer your license to the state in which the training school is located.

Call a CRST Recruiter Today!
800-439-4825

CRST is currently hiring in the following areas:

Cedar Rapids, IA 52404