All You Truckers Out There....
 

Im 21 and want to get my CDL but want to know if going to school is worth the money? What did you guys do?
Im going to stop by a school this week and see how much they want. Heres the school www.winsorsdriving.com

Well, here's what I can tell you:

I'm in the process of getting my A. I looked into schooling all over my area. Prices were anywhere from $250-$5500 depending on experience and needs. Based off conversations with schools, instructors, and my past CDL experience I'm going to be spending about $500 to get my A. That'll include the road test, drug test, etc and some customized training so I can get readjusted to some things. But that's me. You might be different.

IIRC a lot of companies won't even hire you unless you have 150 hours of training, the equivalent experience or both. There's also some new federal laws concerning new drivers that require you to take a 3 hour class on HOS, driver's rights, whistle blower laws, etc. and those may or may not be included in your program. You'll need to ask.

Hope this helps.

WEll i went to the school today. The woman i spoke to showed me around and gave me some info. Im looking at 4k for 160 hours of training plus a forklift certification. Im unemployed right now and have a phone interview with unemployment tomorrow regarding school so hopefully i get free training.

i went to dmv took the test got permit, scheduled road test passed, went truckin, but i also had my own truck and have never been employed as a company driver. Also iv been doing it since i was 13 so i got a little start.

I did the same thing, except i took my driving test in my dodge with my trailer, then went back in a rented bobtail to get the airbrake endorsement, if you know how to drive its a big waste of time and money to go to school. I mean look at all the swift drivers, obviously school dont teach you anything. JMHO

I wish I would have never trucked---just ran a school instead.$1000 per week for 40 hrs and low expense would beat runnin up and down the road anyday.I look at the equipment and most of the time they scam a fortune 500 carrier out of a truck and a trailer by promising to send the best to the recruiters.The rest is a class room and a empty lot.Alot of them have 20 students miniumum---hmmm 20000 per week heck of a deal--NO WONDER THEY CHARGE SO MUCH

Gettin your class is no big deal. I went through training localy 2 years ago, and all they do is teach you to pass the road test. IF you can get hired on locally (little chance with no experience) you will learn more in a week of driving on your own then any school will EVER teach you.

MOST companies that hire no-minumum experience drivers/graduates stuff you into a rig OTR with another trainer for 50-200 hours of drive time, then turn u loose.

What do you plan on doing after school?? finding a big OTR comapny, local, have some one u know will hire you........?????

IF u plan on going OTR with a major company (like Werner, JB, Swift, England) just the el cheapo "trucking institute" down the road casue your in for 150 hours of wheel time with a trainer where ever u go after school.




This is just my experience.

HEy guys i went town to the MVC today and payed for my permit and got the cdl manual. i plan on taking the written tests by the end of the week. My boss said i could use his truck for the test and a friend of mine said he would show me how to drive on his peterbilt. He also said he would like me to drive for him or a friend of his. They haul stone out of the quarry. SO i guess ill see how it goes. Thanks for your advice so far

i went and took my written tests the day after i got my manual. They were real easy. Yesterday i went out with a friend of mine in his peterbilt and drove around most of the day. Its not as easy as i thought it would be. looks like ill be going out again monday in his mack. later guys

good luck in your driving , keep the rubber side up and be safe.:U:
Watch for cars sneaking up on your right...when your turning.. there like running over a curb...

check out R&L Trucking, they pay about 20 bucks an hour starting out for short day runs, you will be home every night unless you go OTR for them......Larry Roberts is probably the best person to work for in the industry, he has done more for his employees than any other company has for theirs....

Isnt it the rubber side down? :w2:

Thanks logan ill look into that.

haha,,, oh yea....:U:

I worked for a company at the time I got mine that had an opening to drive a Mack tractor with a 35ft. end dump trailer. I was lucky enough they let me use that particular truck for the test. I went to the local DOT office and got the CDL book and read the whole thing. I then went to take the written test 3 days later and recieved my permit. After I was done with the written I scheduled my driving test and 2 days later I had my Class A. Those schools are such a waste of money, my buddies parents run one and they make a killing. The driving test is not as hard as you think, just try not to get nervouse and you will be fine.

Remember the rules of the road.

He who has the most lug nuts wins.
Stop signs are for people who cant shift.
Curbs are made to be run over.

lol j/k

Yeah getting the permit was the easy part. ive been shifting without the clutch and i think im required to double clutch on the road test. And my boss who said i could use his truck for the test isnt returning my phone calls.

The instructor for the driving test asked if I used the clutch or matched the gears and to do what ever I felt comfortable with. You may not have to double clutch depending on your instructor. Good luck

You shouldn't have to double clutch on the test. I'd find out for sure, but as long as you can hit the gears the heck with that clutch pedal. You aren't supposed to use them anyway. If I were you I'd stay away from them schools to. I spent 5 years out on the road workin for small truckin operations and the main thing is just pay attention and know the rules of the road because nobody else does. Good luck.

Yeah, what they said.
Get used to using that clutch, get to know it well! U can get failed for not using it on the test. I damn near never touch the clutch unless i'm settin at a stop, and my first couple gears. U have fun with that Mack?? lol I havent drivin a mack in a quite a while but its a ball once u figure them things out.

ya for the test you have to double clutch unless you get a cool guy like me to prove it the first time and then he let me shift without the rest of the way

Also look into "renting" a truck for the class A test. I had my class B but the truck I was going to use got wrecked 2 days before. Found a guy that had a single axle auto truck and a pup trailer. His office was next door to the dmv road test office. Showed up in the morning did a road test with the owner, waited till after lunch took the road test with instructor. cost was 175.00 for the day to "borrow" his truck. He took all of us independatly around the exact test route the dmv takes you and scheduled your spot so it was a guaranty spot not wait and run out of time.