Profile For Mike

I just went through my driving course. I decided to go with 160 Driving Academy (Brockton, Ma) for many reasons and I couldn't be happier.

Here are the reasons: 1. Shortest legitimate trucking school course on the market (as far as I know) 2. Most affordable compared to local competition 3. Nationwide brand 4. Good online reviews from previous students

During my research phase I learned that almost every school in my area has a program lasting at least 5 months... based on my situation, I could not wait that long to get my license and I needed something faster as long as it didnt mean I wouldn't be able to SAFELY operate a truck. 160 Trucking offers a 160 hour course, which translates to a month of school. One classroom week to prepare those without permits for their test, and to complete the mandatory classroom course. After that you have 3 weeks on the yard. Even the instructors at 160 repeatedly would tell us that this was a very accelerated program and it was NOT meant for everyone.

This being said, I feel I got exactly what I paid for with 160. I had the brake test, and pre trip down by the end of the first week on the yard. And I had plenty of time to practice maneuvers, and road time. Memorizing all of these things depends more on you than the school. If you've figured out how you learn best you won't have a problem. Be open and teachable, you gotta get this right. Its my understanding that they screen applicants (to a very limited extent) before accepting them, and they do a thorough job of making you aware that this course is accelerated, and isn't meant for most. To be completely transparent, if you are not confident, and indecisive you'll have a hard time making it through. The instructors like to have fun with us, but they absolutely express urgency in their rugged way to get everything right. They will take their time to teach, but I've seen a lot of students listen to the instructors and then go and make the same mistakes over and over and over again while practicing maneuvers. You gotta be able to learn the system and its steps, don't reinvent the wheel... You only really have 3 weeks to pass the course. This being said, you gotta be sharp, intentional, and focused on your success to make it.

Don't make excuses, don't blame external factors for anything. Its on you and your tenacity if you go to 160. If it feels like too much pressure, you'd be better off going to another school and taking more time to get this right.

All other schools in my area are between 8k - 13k. 160 was 5k for me. Shortly after I enrolled, they raised the price to $5700 due to higher fuel costs and what not. Still, I think that price beats the other schools. IF you do not make it through the contract states that they will prorate a refund. Im not a lawyer, do your due diligence and read your own contracts...

As I stated at the beginning of this post, I couldn't be happier with 160. However, recommending this school would depend entirely on who Im speaking with.

Let me know what you guys think.