Have any board members been through the Swift school in Troutdale Oregon? Would like some feedback on the school and working out of the terminal there.

Well, I did not have any training out of Troutdale (I trained in Lewiston), but I was told that the program had much to be desired.

As for personal experience dealing with the terminal. It is over-crowded, the mechanics don't do the work that they say they do, and the office staff is not very helpful.

You'd be better off at Salt Lake City or Lewiston personally.

If I lived in Idaho or Utah I would. But I have a cheap room lined up with a friend in Oregon so going through Troutdale. I heard Lewiston was horrible, SLC a little better. I guess I'll see for myself soon enough.

I thought that Swift's school was in Portland, down on Swan Island, and their terminal is out in Troutdale?

No Lewiston is actually a great city to learn how to drive. There are more elements that you deal with that you would not in Oregon. I thought about moving to Lewiston while I was in school and it just never went through.

If it is close then it is worth it to stay at your friends house, however, I think you still pay the same tuition so it is worth it for you to not have to pay for fuel and just let them cover the cost of shuttling and a room.

How do I get a CDL in Idaho if I'm not a resident there? Did Idaho give you a CDL after school, or did you test in another state?

Nevada Jim wrote:

If you go to a Swift school, or any other for that matter, outside of the state you live in, you will be issued a CDL by the state in which you were tested. You will then have to return to your home state and have a CDL reissued.

Heads up here, there is a chance you will have to retest for your endorsements and possibly your actual CDL. Each state is different.Paper test only, I don't think any state makes you retake the driving test.

Not true. Each state must be different. Oregon will not give anyone a permit without first having an Oregon drivers license. To get the license you need to prove to them you are a resident. Thus, my question of whether Idaho gave him his CDL without being an Idaho resident. If so, what address was used on the Idaho CDL?