Going to a CDL school today need some questions to ask...

[malbojah]

I'm going to NTI (Northeast Technical Institute ) today and after they give me the rundown on things and ask if I have any questions I want to be able to whip out a list and crush them with questions. Right now I have this (mostly from going through the other threads). If you can think of anything else before I leave......:

1.How old is your equipment?

2.What is the ratio of students to instructor in the truck?

3.Is there an official limit to the number of students in each class?

4.How much is your program?

5.Can I find out if I qualify for financing before I sign up and put money down?

6.How much driving will I do?

7.Will my driving be varied (city, highway, mountain)?

8.Will I actually be backing the truck up to a loading dock, or just between cones?

9.If I fail your CDL, can you keep trying at no extra cost?
.........Meaning for access to the school for skills, driving, etc

10.Am I able to utilize the school's staff after you graduate?

11.How much actual driving time is involved for me?

12.do I learn on a manual?

13.what percentage of their students pass the state CDL the first time and what per-centage of their students get a driving job within 30-days of successful graduation?

14.are you affiliated with any truck company?

15.do I get my CDL permit before you go to the first day of class or do they take a couple days to help you?

16.do you have a background screening process?

I'm signing nothing today. This is mostly a feeling-out trip to the school. I don't think I would sign with them anyways seeing as it's a 2 1/2-3 hour trip from home each way, but you never know.

[dle]

#6 and #11 are the same basic question.

Your affiliated question may cover this, but they might not understand it - what companies hire your graduates. If the response doesn't name names ask more questions.

Are they registered with and licensed by the state?

Are they eligible for WIA funding?

What companies offer sponsored or paid training through your school?

Do you have a practice area on site or do you have to learn the basics of double shifting on the street?

How much classroom and what is covered, ask them for a syllabus.

http://www.newbiedriver.com/articles...Ask_School.htm
you might want to check this link out as well.

[Lunker]

You might want to ask how much experience the trainer has in training students. I have 2 trainers here at the college, one with 30 yrs and 3+ million miles and has trained drivers for at least 20 yrs. The other has 7 yrs and minimal miles, trained new company drivers a little for one employer. What I found out is the old man teaches you what you need to learn and use to pass the CDL test and is very safety aware. His first choice of route for our first day behind the wheel was on I-5. The other trainer thought it was better we stayed on city streets. The old man said there are more accidents on the surface streets for new drivers, because you end up in too many panic situations with traffic, pedestrians, traffic light changes and very sharping turning situations. I think he thought out all the possibilities and made a wise choice. The new trainer is safety aware, but hasn't really thought it all out yet because he hasn't had the experience to judge from.

[Orangetxguy]

Lunker..where are you located??

[Lunker]

I'm located in Medford, Or.