I love Trucking But.... CDL Training

[Genesisman]

Howdy:
Just took my CDL Skills Test.... passed two an failed the backup.... while I would of been please to pass all the segments of the tests I must state that I have less than 20 hours behind the wheel... and that was team teaching... two trainees in the same cab... and we constantly were looking for places to drop our cones and practice the turn and dock back up test.

My concern is that there may be a lot of companies that are getting paid to prepare new drivers for a professional driving career.... but it appears, at least from my experience that its a wham bam and no thank you mam circumstance. I have been in class for ten days... and of those ten days we would start at 8 Am and dick around sometimes getting in a couple hours of driving and stop and go home by 3 or 5 Pm....

I told my trainer I felt I was not ready for the test... and he said just go with it the company will pay for you to take the test again...

This is NOT the question.... I am a displace executive and was forced to leave a company I started 30 years ago... I would never send an employee or potential employee into a situation where he may..... and I mean may slip by and get certified as a PROFESSIONAL driver. I would not only be endangering his life but potentially the live of others....

What can I do in this situation.... I am scheduled to retake the backing portion of the test this coming Tuesday.... and I know I will have no more behind the wheel time from now til then.... while I truly want to be a PROFESSIONAL driver I don't want to be one in name only.... I desire to be the best at what I do and feel this is truly a schlock training company.... hmmmmm strangely enough it is one of two training companies certified by my state for federal and state financial assistance programs.... WIA etc.

I would really appreciate some CONSTRUCTIVE input... I am under the impression that credible companies will not hire you if you do not have a sufficient number of hours of training under your belt... even to go into their otr training... is this correct.... please advise.
Thanks for your help.

[Uturn2001]

Sadly, many schools feel that their only job is too get a student their CDL and nothing more.

While some companies do have a requirement for hours of class work, others do not and only want to see a certificate of completion and a valid CDL.

At this point I think you only have a few options:

Take the test again get your CDL and be sure to talk to your trainer at your first company about the areas you need work on and why and make sure he provides you with ample oppurtunity to work on those.

Quit the school all together and try to get the money together to pay for a school yourself. There are good ones out there that will garuntee a minimum of 40 hours of behind the wheel driving and plenty of range work on pre-trips, backing, etc.

Finally the last option is to find another line of work.

In any case I would contact your WIA councilor and let them know how truly shabby you found the school.

[Blind Driver]

You'll learn much more when your out with a company trainer for 6 weeks

[Genesisman]

You'll learn much more when your out with a company trainer for 6 weeks

Well, it would be great to have six weeks out with a trainer ... they already told us it would be more like two weeks... this really puts a knot in my bonnet.... :twisted:

[Genesisman]

Sadly, many schools feel that their only job is too get a student their CDL and nothing more.

While some companies do have a requirement for hours of class work, others do not and only want to see a certificate of completion and a valid CDL.

At this point I think you only have a few options:

Take the test again get your CDL and be sure to talk to your trainer at your first company about the areas you need work on and why and make sure he provides you with ample oppurtunity to work on those.

Quit the school all together and try to get the money together to pay for a school yourself. There are good ones out there that will garuntee a minimum of 40 hours of behind the wheel driving and plenty of range work on pre-trips, backing, etc.

Finally the last option is to find another line of work.

In any case I would contact your WIA councilor and let them know how truly shabby you found the school.

I will take the test again... until I get the CDL... I have made arrangements for the full amount of $2500 to be paid to the school... $2k deposit and $500 unpon receipt of the CDL.... would another company be interested in a student with a CDL... is it possible to sign on with another company and get the six weeks otr training from them? Is this an option....?
thanks

[Uturn2001]

I am a little confused here.

Are you currently attending a private CDL school through WIA or are you going through a company sponsored training program where upon graduation you are commited to working for a specific company for a set length of time.

[Genesisman]

I am a little confused here.

Are you currently attending a private CDL school through WIA or are you going through a company sponsored training program where upon graduation you are commited to working for a specific company for a set length of time.

It is a company sponsored school but, here's the deal.... because the schooling is paid for I will not have an obligation to work for them when I get my CDL... if I go out on the road with a trainer for the two week period they mentioned... they will pay me $250 per week but, I would repay them the five hundred dollars once I come in from the training... I can work it off as an employee or pay it off and be free of them... like most trucking companies they are pretty smart... the have set up a separate school under the name Idaho Provisioners... it is a subsidiary of Cargo Express.... Of course they want me to work for them... but the agreement going in was that if the course was fully paid... I would have no obligation to them to work. I hope that helps... sorry for the misunderstandings...

[jnk2001]

You'll learn much more when your out with a company trainer for 6 weeks

Well, it would be great to have six weeks out with a trainer ... they already told us it would be more like two weeks... this really puts a knot in my bonnet.... :twisted:

what company is that?

[Genesisman]

You'll learn much more when your out with a company trainer for 6 weeks

Well, it would be great to have six weeks out with a trainer ... they already told us it would be more like two weeks... this really puts a knot in my bonnet.... :twisted:

what company is that?

Cargo Express is the trucking company and Idaho Provisioners is their Driver Training School.... thanks

[ToxicWaste]

First of all, if you couldn't pass the first time why do you think you are going to pass the 2nd, 3rd and so on. Your posts are a little confusing, are you paying or is the company and then you pay them back? Talk to the school, ask if they offer 1 on 1 training by the hour. It might be $50-75/hr but get yourself a couple hours w/trainer and just work on backing or whatever you're having problems with. By practicing you are setting yourself up to pass not to fail.

[mikey4069]

Just dont give up Make the school give you alittle more time on your backing skills.

[Genesisman]

First of all, if you couldn't pass the first time why do you think you are going to pass the 2nd, 3rd and so on. Your posts are a little confusing, are you paying or is the company and then you pay them back? Talk to the school, ask if they offer 1 on 1 training by the hour. It might be $50-75/hr but get yourself a couple hours w/trainer and just work on backing or whatever you're having problems with. By practicing you are setting yourself up to pass not to fail.

You are exactly right... it is practice that will allow me to get the CDL and nothing else... I will speak with my trainers and get it squared away...

[Genesisman]

Just dont give up Make the school give you alittle more time on your backing skills.

I won't give up... I paid for this training and I want every bit of information and experience I can get.

[Genesisman]

Just dont give up Make the school give you alittle more time on your backing skills.

I won't give up... I paid for this training and I want every bit of information and experience I can get.

Idaho Provisioners is the school within Cargo Express which is a freight hauler. Idaho Provisioners is a training company that is accepted by the state of Idaho as certified to receive grant money which is paid on the students behalf to Idaho Provisioners. Therefore, the training is paid by the state and there is no balance due to the school, in this case.
Thanks to all of you for your input....

[Genesisman]

Just dont give up Make the school give you alittle more time on your backing skills.

I won't give up... I paid for this training and I want every bit of information and experience I can get.

Idaho Provisioners is the school within Cargo Express which is a freight hauler. Idaho Provisioners is a training company that is accepted by the state of Idaho as certified to receive grant money which is paid on the students behalf to Idaho Provisioners. Therefore, the training is paid by the state and there is no balance due to the school, in this case.
Thanks to all of you for your input....

[Uturn2001]

Ok I get it now.

You are going to a company school, but the majority of the tuition was already covered up front and you only owe the remainder which can be paid in cash or through work equity. One the balance is paid you are free to do what you want.

As long as you have a CDL and can show going to school you should be able to find another company to go with if need be. Under 6 months experience though you will most likely have to redo the OTJ training which can last up to 6 weeks or so. `

My suggestion at this point is to stick it out and see how it goes during OTJ training, assuming you can pass the skills test.

[Arizona]

Pass the CDL test, stay with the company to see if they treat you right. Once you have 6 months to 1 year under your belt, then go looking for a different company,....but only if the one you are with is not what you really want.
Getting the CDL is the easy part,..... staying with a crummy company is the hard part. The key here is to get you time in and stick with it, leave on good terms, and move on with your career,.......but most of all get your time in,it opens more doors than any other requirement (except for not running over stuff).

[seenyourblackeyescream]

Hello all, I am fairly new to this site but find some of the forums facinating. I would like to introduce myself as the instructor, and only instuctor, in the school mentioned.
I have been "educating" for six and one half yrs in trucking, 2-1/2 yrs OTR and 4 yrs local/CDL. I have hit a few notable marks for Cargo Express Inc. and strive to maintain my knowledge of regs and business practices. I drove for the company I teach for (Cargo Express Inc.) via Idaho Provisioners and proudly say that I do the best I can with the gentleman that are sent my direction. I experience pressures, like all trainers in the trucking company/school arrangement, to move these guys through to phase 2, in roughly two weeks. In phase 2, OTR, they get "hands on" experience in doing all the things they have prepared for, locally and are NOT to be released until they can safely and independently perform all the functions that a versed driver would. They are, out of the care of myself at that point though.
Anyone that tells you training truck drivers is easy is full of it or kidding themselves. Example: ...Boss:"he is a first grade teacher, for ONLY 20 yrs, he got layed off 1 yr ago and you have two weeks...good luck. If you need me, I will be inside, unable to help you". Trainer: YES SIR!.........lol Ok,junior,come on, we have ALOT of work to do.
I had about 3 positions that I was employed when those first posts were made ie; shop/grease monkey,road tester (guys that have CDL's and need check rides to be hired),and full time local trainer.Thank the lord, this year, and all to follow, I will do nothing but train on CDL's and road test. I believe it is a good move for the school.
No excuses but, I will say, on behalf of all CDL instructors, if you are working with someone that has a hard time "picking up" the info you are trying to offer them, It can be quite frustrating.
It IS our job though, to, adapt to all personalities, learning curves, and handicaps. Be, understanding and have the patience of gods in regards to the things just listed. Have answers to all quetions, then climb in the cab with someone who has little to no experience and motor towards a CDL that had better not take 14 days to get. ALL of my student drive on day one.
We try our best. If you pay for an education you should be doing the same. 110% and nothing less.....DO NOT give up if you really want it, PROVE it. The CDL regs changed June 15th 2009 and are tougher than they were. Also, I am familliar with the sir that originally posted and I apologize for any trouble 'caused by myself along the way. Thanks for listening. Drive safe all!

[Luzon]

Pass the CDL test, stay with the company to see if they treat you right. Once you have 6 months to 1 year under your belt, then go looking for a different company,....but only if the one you are with is not what you really want.
Getting the CDL is the easy part,..... staying with a crummy company is the hard part. The key here is to get you time in and stick with it, leave on good terms, and move on with your career,.......but most of all get your time in,it opens more doors than any other requirement (except for not running over stuff).

I'd say stay for a minimum of 1 year, and preferably 2. If you just can't stand the company, then you've gotta do what you've gotta do but if at all possible, try to get 2 years with only 1 company. If you decide to stay in trucking you'll be happy you weren't a "company hopper" and so will other companies.

As for what you're experiencing in school. Just go with the flow, do your best, and get your CDL. When you go out with your trainer, you'll learn your job - and how to drive. An THEN, when you get your own truck, you'll REALLY learn how to drive and do the job. That may sound simplistic but it's the truth.
Good Luck

L

[Bigmon]

The fact that you passed 2 parts of the skill test with a little training shows it's not rocket science. There are schools in CA that give you 4-6 hours driving and send you to DMV. These are also approved schools by major carriers. The DMV knows this too. Like everyone said. You get your real training from the company.