The National Tractor Trailer School (NTTS) is a respected national trucking school that offers training for both CDL A and CDL B. Located in New York, the school has options for students who wish to attend full-time or part-time. The school’s partnership with truck carriers helps provide graduates with employment opportunities after they complete their training.
NTTS History
NTTS has been offering CDL training for decades out of their schools in Buffalo, NY and Syracuse, NY. The school has been operating out of New York since 1971, and they have trained thousands of students over the years.
The students at NTTS come from all walks of life, and the school incorporates a variety of learning approaches to help students succeed. Whether you prefer to attend full-time or part-time, NTTS has a program for you.
Courses at NTTS
NTTS offers several courses, including:
Class A CDL
NTTS offers Class A CDL training for students of all experience levels. The school has also partnered with a variety of trucking companies to help students find a job after completing their training:
- H.O. Wolding
- Swift
- DOT Foods
- TMC Transportation
- Gypsum Express
- Wener Enterprises
- NFI
- McLane
- U.S. Xpress
Students interested in pursuing Class A training can choose from the following courses:
Basic Course
The Basic Course is only available at the Buffalo campus, and it’s an accelerated path of training. The course is designed for students who already have experience with commercial driving and wish to continue their training.
Advanced Commercial Driver Course
The Advanced course is designed for students that have very little or no prior experience operating commercial vehicles.
Over the course of 18-24 weeks, students will train in the most fundamental skills and abilities needed for a successful driving career.
The 24-week course provides more time behind the wheel and more time for the development of practical skills.
Those who complete this course will move into entry-level positions as tractor-trailer drivers, heavy truck operators or owner-operators.
Fort Drum Contact Training Course (Military Veterans)
NTTS has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Department of Defense (DOD) to provide training at Fort Drum, New York. The campus is conveniently located at the base, and training is available to active-duty soldiers, veterans and transitioning soldiers.
The course spans 225 hours, and it offers both classroom and behind-the-wheel training.
Commercial Driver Course
Both full-time and part-time options are available for the Commercial Driver Course. The full-time course takes 7-10 weeks to complete, while the part-time course takes 18 weekends.
This course is for students with little or no previous experience operating commercial vehicles. NTTS incorporates a variety of learning methods with this course, including classroom training, procedures demonstration and behind-the-wheel experience.
Those who complete this course typically move into entry-level positions as tractor-trailer or heavy truck drivers.
CDL B Training
In addition to Class A CDL training, NTTS also offers CDL B training for students that want to learn how to operate a straight truck.
The school’s Heavy Truck Driver Course lasts 90 hours, and it’s designed for students with little or no commercial driving experience.
This course is for straight trucks, dump trucks, fuel trucks and other non-articulating, heavy vehicles.
Students who complete this course will also be able to take advantage of the partnerships NTTS has with reputable trucking companies.
National Tractor Trailer School Requirements
NTTS takes its job seriously, which is why they are more selective about the students they take on.
The admissions process starts with an application.
Prospective students must also be:
- Interviewed
- Recommended by a staff member
Any students who are denied admission will be notified in writing, given a reason why they were declined and told whether they may reapply in the future.
Final acceptance will depend on the student’s:
- Admission recommendation
- Application
- Documentation
NTTS’ admission requirements include:
- At least 18 years of age
- A high school diploma or equivalent (or pass an entrance test)
- Pass the Department of Transportation physical
- Have a valid driver’s license
- Pass a drug test
If you’re concerned about the admissions process or have any questions, the staff at NTTS will be happy to help.
NTTS Financial Aid Eligibility
Students hoping to attend NTTS courses may be eligible for financial aid, which can help cover the cost of tuition.
To be eligible for financial aid, students must meet the following requirements:
- Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or some other eligible non-citizen.
- Have a valid social security card.
- Be enrolled in and making good progress in an NTTS program that is eligible for financial aid.
- Not be in default on a PLUS loan or Federal Direct Student Loan.
- Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA
- Have a high school diploma (or equivalent), or meet other eligibility criteria for non-graduates.
- Meet Selective Service requirements (male students).
NTTS’ Advanced Commercial Drivers Course qualifies for the Federal Direct Student Loan Program, the Pell Grant program and the PLUS Loan program. The Commercial Drivers Course is eligible for PLUS Loans as well as Federal Direct Student Loans.
