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Truck Driving Scam Schools
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Facts for Consumers from the Federal Trade Commission
Truck-Driving Schools -- April 1993
When you see recruitment ads for truck-driving schools, you
should know that advertising claims made by some schools may not
be true. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has brought charges
against several truck-driving schools for false advertising.
This fact sheet describes what deceptive practices the FTC has
found, suggests questions to ask when talking to a sales agent or
visiting a truck-driving school, mentions alternatives to private
truck-driver training, and recommends precautions to take before
applying.
Common Deceptive Practices
The FTC has investigated complaints and ordered some private
truck-driving schools to correct the way they represent training
and employment opportunities in their ads. For example:
Some schools misrepresented the thoroughness of the job training.
The FTC found that some courses did not provide enough hours of
road instruction or driving experience to qualify students for a
truck-driving job.
Some schools failed to tell students about cancellation and
refund policies or failed to make refunds in keeping with their
policies.
Many students who paid substantially for a course, sometimes more
than $2,000, received no tuition refund when they dropped out of
training.
Some schools misrepresented chances of future employment in the
industry.
These schools misled students into believing there was a demand
for their graduates as well-trained truck drivers _ that there
would be jobs when they completed the course. But most schools
provided only basic training and could not assure jobs, nor offer
employment.
Some schools misrepresented their business connections with the
industry.
They claimed to have special ties with trucking companies when,
in fact, they did not.
Questions to Ask School Representatives
After answering an ad for a truck-driving school, you may be
invited to see a school representative, a sales agent, or an
instructor. Use the school's advertising claims as the basis for
your questions and call others to verify the information. Below
are six claims frequently made by truck-driving school
representatives.
"Fast training -- only four weeks."
Ask the school's representative how much on-the-road training you
get in the course and if that amount of time meets state
licensing requirements. Then call the state trucking authority
where you want to be licensed and ask if the state has any basic
requirements. Compare whether the course meets the licensing
requirements of the state. Often the first half of the training
course consists of a home-study program of reading materials and
"tests" that cost hundreds of dollars. Only the last half of the
course -- 10 days to 2 weeks -- is the "hands-on" or "resident
training." That part of the course may be too short and
inadequate to qualify a student for an entry-level job as a truck
driver.
"No previous driving experience necessary."
Ask the school's representative how many of their former students
go directly from training school to truck-driving jobs. Then call
local people in the trucking industry to find out their hiring
requirements for newly-trained drivers. Many times, newcomers
start out as dockworkers and freight loaders until a driver
position opens up in a company.
"Earn high wages."
Ask the school's representative about starting salaries for
newly-trained truck drivers the school has helped place. You can
verify these entry-level salaries by calling your state trucking
association or a local trucking business.
"Receive placement assistance."
Ask the school's representative how their job placement works.
Ask where the school has placed drivers after training. Sometimes
"placement services" amount to little more than providing you
with clippings from newspaper "Help Wanted" ads.
''Financial Assistance Available.''
Ask the school's representative for a written list of all the
fees and costs. If you need financial assistance, find out what
costs will be covered by your loan and whether refunds are
available if you cancel.
''Anyone Can Qualify.''
Ask the representative what qualifications are needed to become
a truck driver. Requirements may vary according to the type of
truck and the nature of the company's business. You may have to
be at least 18 years of age and, under most state laws, have a
chauffeur's license.
You can call your state motor vehicle department to find out what
is required to get this license. You also can consult the
Occupational Outlook Handbook, published by the U.S. Department
of Labor, found in any library. The handbook provides current
information about industry employment trends, training
requirements, and qualifications necessary to enter any industry,
including truck-driving.
State-Supported Truck-Driver Training
As an alternative to a relatively expensive truck-driving school,
you may be able to attend truck-driving courses offered through
tax-supported community colleges, technical institutes, or
vocational schools in your state. These schools also can qualify
you for job opportunities in the trucking industry.
To find the names of such schools, contact a state educational
authority, a state trucking association, local trucking
companies, or nationally recognized accrediting organization,
such as the Career College Association (CCA). You can write to
CCA at 750 First Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20002, or call
(202) 336-6700.
Some Suggestions
Before signing up for truck-driver training, ask several schools
for written information about their programs. This will help you
choose the best school for you and save both time and money in
the long run. The following suggestions also might be helpful.
l Talk to the management of local trucking firms about the
school you are interested in attending. Find out if they hire
graduates from that school.
l Ask counselors at your high school, community college,
vocational school, or technical institute if your state offers
training for truck drivers.
l Inquire whether a truck-driving school is accredited by your
state's accrediting or licensing board before you apply. Each
state is different, so call your state government's general
information operator, who can
direct you to the state agency with that
information.
l Check with the Professional Truck Driving Institute of
America (PTDIA) to see if the truck-driving course meets the U.S.
Department of Transportation's (DOT) voluntary standards. Not all
truck-driving courses have volunteered to be evaluated by PTDIA.
But if a course has undergone evaluation, PTDIA can tell you if
it meets, exceeds, or does not meet DOT's standards. You can
contact PTDIA at 8788 Elk Grove Boulevard, Suite 20, Elk Grove,
California 95624, (916) 686-5146.
l Read any school's application carefully before you sign it.
Understand your rights and responsibilities under the contract.
Make sure all promises are in writing.
l Know the tuition costs and your cancellation and refund
rights in case you do not finish the training.
l Get a loan, if you need it for tuition, through a reliable
source and understand the terms. Financial aid may be available
to you through the U.S. Department of Education. This agency can
provide you with information about Federal student financial-aid
programs and help you complete a financial-aid application. Their
toll-free number is (800) 433-3243.
l Be wary of truck-driving schools that claim immediate
employment upon graduation.
l Contact your local or state consumer protection office and
Better Business Bureau to learn if any complaints have
been made against the school you are
considering.
To Report Problems
If you enroll in a truck-driving course and a problem occurs that
you cannot resolve with the school, send a letter describing your
problem to your local or state consumer protection office. Send a
copy of your letter to: Correspondence Branch, Federal Trade
Commission, Washington, D.C. 20580. Although the FTC cannot
represent you directly in a dispute with a company, it can act if
there is evidence of a pattern of deceptive or unfair sales
practices.
If you borrowed Federal funds to pay for truck-driver training,
you can also call the Department of Education to report your
problem. The toll-free number is: (800) MIS-USED, or in
Washington, D.C., call 205-5770.
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