Is it time to complete your Entry-Level Driver Training in Wichita, KS?
If so, then you need to find a quality trucking school that will give you the knowledge and skills you need to operate a truck.
To help you out, we’re going to review the best trucking schools in Wichita, KS. Rest assured that all these schools are FMCSA-approved, high-quality, and offer great training.
So shall we begin?
Best Private Trucking Schools in Wichita, KS
Let’s start with private trucking schools.
Now, a private trucking school is an independent company that teaches you how to drive trailers and trucks – much like a regular driving school.
The best part about choosing a private school is that you’re not bound to any company.
So if a private trucking school is what you’re interested in, here are the best ones in Wichita, KS:
Let’s see what each school can offer YOU.
160 Driving Academy
Address: 8526 W. 13th St #160
Wichita, KS 67212
160 Driving Academy is a popular choice in Wichita, KS. It has already taught thousands of professional truck drivers.
Its CDL training only takes one month to complete and consists of 160 hours of training. 40 hours are given to classroom instruction, while 120 hours are given for skills training.
The skills training includes teaching you how to drive different types of trucks, plan trips, drive safely, and other related skills a truck driver should have.
With this comprehensive training, you have a higher chance of getting employed once you get your CDL.
In addition to intense training, 160 Driving Academy also comes with the following benefits:
- High passing rate in the CDL exam
- Employment assistance for students
- Practice sessions on local and interstate roads
You can check out what their past students had to say about their training experience here.
But if you don’t need any more convincing, you can start applying on their website or call (316) 395-5320.
Kansas Truck Driving School
Address: 2938 South Minneapolis
Wichita, KS 67216
Kansas Truck Driving School is another well-known trucking school in the city.
Here, you complete 160 hours of training within 3-4 weeks. The first week of class is focused on classroom learning, concepts, and orientation.
For the remaining weeks, you’re going to be doing behind-the-wheel training. This part includes learning about parking, uphill/downhill driving, backing, lane changes, etc. You will also be taught how to do a proper pre-trip inspection.
What you’ll love about KTDS is that it has a high employment rate of 95%. It is one of the schools that help truck drivers get stable and high-paying jobs with trusted companies.
To add to that, here are other advantages of being a student at KTDS:
- Lifetime job assistance perks
- CDL exam application to be handled by the school
- Financial assistance and scholarship grants to qualified students
To know more about KTDS from other students, check out their reviews at Indeed.
And if you want to go straight to applying, fill up this form or call (316) 218-1700.
White Line CDL Training
Address: 2626 S Rock Rd #106
Wichita, KS 67210
White Line CDL Training is a family-owned school. It offers both Class A and Class B CDL training.
What makes this trucking school different is that every day has a mix of classroom and behind-the-wheel training. This format helps you refresh your memory of theoretical concepts, so you’ll be able to ace the CDL exam.
You also get presentations from the Kansas Highway Patrol and the First Observer program during the training.
The course is 4 weeks long with classes only on weekdays.
Aside from the unique curriculum, White Line students get to take advantage of the following:
- Presentations from trucking companies
- Friendly and professional staff
- Career opportunities offered during training
Even if White Line CDL Training is not as big as the other two trucking schools, they sure have a lot of great reviews from past students. Read reviews about this school on Indeed.
You can send them a message on their Facebook Page if you want to start training with them.
Best Company-Sponsored Trucking Schools in Wichita, KS
Company-sponsored training GUARANTEES employment. This is simply because, as the name implies, the company sponsors your CDL training.
There is a downside, however. You only get to learn how to drive trucks that the company owns. There’s not a lot of exposure to other types of vehicles and techniques that the company doesn’t use.
And then there are the wage deductions. So, even if the company sponsored your training, the cost is deducted from your monthly salary for a year or two. Only when you stay with them for more than 1-2 years will they reimburse those deductions to you.
Unfortunately, there are no company-sponsored trucking schools in the city of Wichita, KS. There are in other cities, though.
So if you’re willing to make the trip, then here are the best company-sponsored trucking schools in Kansas.
Knight Transportation
Address: 6840 Kaw Drive Kansas City, KS 66111
Phone: 913-748-0010
With a facility in Kansas City, you don’t need to stay away from home to train for your trucking career. However, you can also take advantage of Knight Transportation’s free lodging and transportation to their facility.
Swift Transportation
Address: 9000 Woodend Rd Kansas City, KS
Phone: 913-626-5605
Swift Transportation is another training facility in Kansas City. Swift Transportation has a lot of different types of trucks, so you can get all the experience and learning you need from this training program.
Conclusion
So those were the best trucking schools in Wichita, KS.
As you can see, your options are a bit limited in the city. However, you can trust that, whichever one you’ll pick, you’ll be in great hands.
And now you have these options, the only thing left to do is decide if you’re going for a private trucking school right in the city, or a company-sponsored training outside the city.
Best of luck to you!