Driver Solutions Training !!

[runner123]

As far as training goes, do any of you have comments on Driver Solutions training in Birmingham, Al. or else where ? thanks.

[BigWheels]

As far as training goes, do any of you have comments on Driver Solutions training in Birmingham, Al. or else where ? thanks.

Not personally familiar with Driver Solutions....

Make sure that whatever school you choose, it will be recognized by whatever carrier you decide to go with. In other words, not all major carriers recognize all driving schools.

Of course if a major carrier has their own driving school, they would...ahem...prefer you go with them. That's OK as long as you can pay upfront. If you can't, you're stuck with them for at least 1-year and if you decide to go elsewhere before that year is up, you'll be liable for some of the training costs when you leave.

Just know what you are getting into before you sign on the dotted line!

[runner123]

Much thanks, they say that Pam, Decker, USA Truck, Star Transport and Averitt hire from them.

[AbenInNashville]

I went through Drivers Solutions and they sent me to ASU Newport. They were good and theie schools are accredited. I hired on with PAM and have no complaints after the first 3 months (Hell on earth). You won't make much money at first and then they will take $45 a week for one year. I have two more weeks in my first year and let you know how much I get back. Other than that they worked for me. Check other companies before you just jump into it. I'm sure I could have got a better deal somewhere else, but I needed work ASAP. They were the only ones that could get me to school that week with no wait. BOL

[runner123]

Thanks, so far it looks like I may be headed to C1 in Little Rock, or ASU in Newport, AR., through Driver Solutions. Stay safe !!

[AbenInNashville]

Hope everything is going well at school. I fugured I would let you know that my check came in. I got a huge $612.00. I only paid the $45 for 45 weeks and they had to take out $995 + $400 (apartment) But hey, I'm free to go where I want and not owe them anything else. Best of luck

[runner123]

Good, glad it went well. Keep me posted, how you like who your driving for and all. By the way, what companies were recruiting and who did you like the most, Runner123.

[bameyi]

hi am heading o school on Monday july 2nd have been pre-hire by CFI i will be paying $1000 out of pocket towards school tuition and $309 towards accommodation CFI will pay the different throught their tuition assistance program.. i appreciate everyone have have posted their advice during my previous post it help me in making my decision. CFI have pre-hire me but not limiting myself to them if a better offer comes my way before i finish school on the 19th of july will go with them but for now need to secure a job first.

now how is the school for those that have ASU Commercial Driver Institute in Newport, AR, the instructors, facilities and training equipment. and any other advice on CFI.

thanks

[bameyi]

hi am heading o school on Monday july 2nd have been pre-hire by CFI i will be paying $1000 out of pocket towards school tuition and $309 towards accommodation CFI will pay the different throught their tuition assistance program.. i appreciate everyone have have posted their advice during my previous post it help me in making my decision. CFI have pre-hire me but not limiting myself to them if a better offer comes my way before i finish school on the 19th of july will go with them but for now need to secure a job first.

now how is the school for those that have ASU Commercial Driver Institute in Newport, AR, the instructors, facilities and training equipment. and any other advice on CFI.

thanks

[AbenInNashville]

how is the school for those that have ASU Commercial Driver Institute in Newport, AR, the instructors, facilities and training equipment.

I went there and thought they were really knowledgable. The instructors were great, laid back. Gus is the hardest of them all, but he's just teaching you to be safe and how to do it right. The school is clean and well maintained. They use a portion of the airport for their skills training so they have a lot of trucks for practicing. I think they had 24 to practice the skills. The road trucks they use are a lot better maintained with working air and such. I think you'll like it there. The CDI part of the school is only part of the actual university so it isn't like some of the mill schools you've seen.

[bameyi]

so how long since you attended the school and what company do you work for now? i will be starting school on monday pre hired by CFI but their start pay is low .26c per mile well just did the pre-hire if i find anything better while in school off i go for it.

[AbenInNashville]

I went to the school last year, just finished my year with PAM. PAM's start pay was low as well, $0.28 cpm. I'll go ahead and tell you PAM's pay structure. You start out at $0.28 cpm and then every 3 months for the first year you get a 1 cent raise. After a year your at $0.32 cpm. They do take out $25 a week at first and put it into an Escrow Account, but stop taking it out at $400 (16 weeks) That just covers them in the event that you abandon their truck and they have to recover it. During your first year they also take out $45 a week to cover the cost of the school. At the end of the year you get a check back for any money over what you owed. In my case, my refund check was $657. After being with them a year, I'm on a dedicated account, run an average of 2921 miles per week and take home $800 a week. You can go to www.pamt.com to learn more. They work with Drivers Solutions, so if they are hiring in your area, you can work for them. Talk to CFI and compare them. Everybody has their own unique experiences with different companies. I found that PAM worked well with me and worked out issues I was having at home so that I didn't have to quit early on. I will continue to work for them as long as my hometime is there and the money is there. Well, I got to deliver this load in the morning down the street from my house and then I'm off a week. I'll check the board tomorrow and see if you have anything else you would like to know.

[bameyi]

thanks men i will kep you updated one other thing how long did you go out with a trainer before assigned your own truck or before you go solo. also accommodation how did you go about it while at new port, i called the apartment student rent or stay for a week they told me there will be two student to a room and 4 to an apartment of 2 bedroom. is that not too much of an occupant in a two bedroom apartment.?

[AbenInNashville]

I was with a trainer 4 weeks before assigned with a truck of my own. The bedrooms have two beds in them a piece. Trust me you'll be worn out and won't even care. You'll be in school from 6 am til 4 pm during the week unless you go night driving and then you'll be there from 6 am till 10 pm. Good luck

[bameyi]

hey men i guess i just made a friend. thanks for responding always. well update got to Newport today came in late so i just went and check into a motel it's nothing to write home about but will hand in there for the next three week. will go in for the paper work to enroll in school by tomorrow. will keep you update.

[runner123]

Keep us posted, I should be there soon, Runner123.

[bameyi]

HI GUYS TOOK SO LONG TO GET BACK ON SCHOOL DEMANDING SO MUCH. WELL WILL HANG IN THERE FOR NOW. BUT DOING GOOD FIRST DAY, FIRST WEEK HAD PROBLEM WITH STRIGHT LINE BACKING. TOOK ME TWO DAY ON THE THIRD DAY DID IT GOOD BUT NOT PERFECT.
WORKING ON RIGHT HAND TURNING AND THE DOCKING AT 45 DEGREE DOCK. JUST GOT IT TODAT AFTER THREE DAYS OF WORKING ON IT. WILL BE GOING ON ROAD TRIP TOMORROW. HEY DO ANY ONE KNOW THE BEST WAY IN DOING PRE-TRIP INSPECTION. HELP IF YOU DO APPRECIATE IT HELP YOU ALL AND THE COURAGE FROM EVERY ON.

[bameyi]

AM IN SCHOOL PRESENTLY WITH SOME DRIVERS SOLUTION TRAINEE, AT ACDTI (ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY, NEWPORT) WHERE THEY SEND STUDENT TO FOR TRAINING. THEY RECRUIT FOR PAM, MARVICKS, USA, AND ONE OTHER COMPANY LIKE THAT. IF YOU INTERESTED IN WORKING FOR ANY OF THIS COMPANY THEN YOU CAN TRYU THEM BUT OTHER THAN THAT THEY MAY NOT BE OF HELP