How do I choose which CDL School to go to?

I have talked to and visited several CDL Schools. One school tells me I don't need the classroom Instruction, just go get my permit and they will teach me to drive. Another school says yes do the classroom and driving instruction. One of the schools charge you for the gas they used to teach you. So now I am on information overload. How do I know which school to go to and what they should be teaching me?

I also have heard not to go with OTR from one school and then another school says you will never get a job driving regional or local until you have done at least 3-6 months OTR.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[SMOKESTACK]

Welcome JRS !
Please stand by because I'm sure you will
be having one of our fine members to assist
you my friend. Please pass on the good
words of the trucking boards to the others
you meet in class . Hope to see you here
as a permanent posting member for a long
time.

Thank you / SMOKESTACK

[shoeman]

Originally Posted by JRS

I have talked to and visited several CDL Schools. One school tells me I don't need the classroom Instruction, just go get my permit and they will teach me to drive. Another school says yes do the classroom and driving instruction. One of the schools charge you for the gas they used to teach you. So now I am on information overload. How do I know which school to go to and what they should be teaching me?

I also have heard not to go with OTR from one school and then another school says you will never get a job driving regional or local until you have done at least 3-6 months OTR.

Any advice would be appreciated.

JRS, you would be able to get a job local without OTR, but regional I doubt. I got my start driving local and gradually worked my way up. I cant answer much on the school thing as I always drove my dads local delivery trucks growing up, then started driving his flat-beds after that, so hopefully someone else could help you as far as schools.
ditto the welcome to the boards, i am new hear to and its addictive
P.S. Smokestack scares me a little! Must be that picture. But he is cool

[hillbilly frog]

JRS welcome to the boards. It's always nice to have new folks join us here.
You might find some interesting information on our sister website. Here is a link that I'm sure you will find useful.
Links to a few Truck Driving Schools. - Truck Driver Forum.