The Sad Realization Of My CDL School

I still think you are probably okay and will get what you need in your remaining time. Seriously, in company sponsored schools they learn all their backing in 4 days. Going forward is much easier and believe it or not, you'll have an easier time learning to double clutch than someone who's driven a standard for years because of ingrained bad habits.

The shifting required to pass your road test is minimal. They know you aren't going to be super proficient at it. A little up shifting and 2 or 3 downshifts.. but didn't you say you were testing in an automatic? If so, your road training will be a piece of cake.

You hit the nail on the head. At the rate I'm going I won't even be qualified to take the TEST, much less actually drive decently. The training and schooling is subpar at best, and not worth any amount of money.

At this point I'm not even going to mention that I'm in school. Or if I have to, I'll explain EXACTLY what has transpired. I'll start out at the bottom of the Prime training and I'm totally ok with that, because I know I need all the training from day one all over again. At least I have my permit and my DOT card.

Hmmm.....weird double post of my response. Sorry.

Sue, I'm learning on a manual because I don't want the restriction on my card. Also, like I said between now and when I'm supposed to "graduate" I'll get roughly 3 hours TOTAL in the truck to learn everything I need to know. Not 3 hours a day, or 3 hours a weekend. Three hours TOTAL in the next 8 weekends. Can you master backing, offset backing, alley backing, parallel parking, and driving in only 3 hours? Because if that's expected then I'm not meant for this business. Also, in VA shifting IS part of our skills test. If you keep grinding gears you "earn" points. After a certain amount of points you fail. Virginia requires that all students graduating from a CDL school be proficient in all aspects of driving a truck. That we're students with little experience does not matter to them.

Nothing about this is a "piece of cake". If it were, there would be vast numbers of new drivers every year and not nearly the safety issues that plague the industry.

I heard the words "set up for failure" so many times when I was in school.

CDL schools, whether private or company sponsored seem to be a trial by fire of sorts.

incidentally, those who are still trying to pass are the students who had that attitude. The 4 of us in my class decided early on that failure wasn't an option, the school reputation depends on students who can pass, and thirdly, no matter what happened we were going to make that truck our bi@tch and pass. We did.

if you believe you're not going to pass, you're right. If you believe you're going to pass, you're right. ATTITUDE is everything and becomes a self fulfilling prophecy.

I wish you the best of luck on getting your school sorted out.

Sue, forgive me for saying so, but you are missing the ENTIRE point of my post. My attitude is that I will kick ass at this. I have memorized the entire pretrip inspection (11 pages of VA DMV approved language), aced my permit test, and is generally known to be a hard worker and a good student at the school. The point is that the school has 2 - 3 instructors, 2 trucks (one for backing in the yard and one for driving) and so many students from previous classes "practicing" that my class (which is ONLY one other person) does not get ANY truck time. I get 20 minutes in an entire weekend, if I'm lucky. Attitude will not help me pass my CDL. Proving my skills will help me pass. And if I cannot get in the truck to even learn it to begin with, then no amount of "attitude" is going to change anything.

UPDATE: I had a nice, long sit down conversation with the office administrator. I told her what my concerns were, and that I wanted to have the loan to the school forgiven (a signature loan, not through a lending institution) as we both agreed that what I needed to learn cannot be accomplished by the time my class is supposed to end (even with having a weekend added because of the snow closures this past weekend). She said she would talk it over with her boss, but I'm hoping they just release me and let me go on my way.

Best of luck with that. Hate it if you're on the hook for that much cash with them for basically nothing.

UPDATE: I had a nice, long sit down conversation with the office administrator. I told her what my concerns were, and that I wanted to have the loan to the school forgiven (a signature loan, not through a lending institution) as we both agreed that what I needed to learn cannot be accomplished by the time my class is supposed to end (even with having a weekend added because of the snow closures this past weekend). She said she would talk it over with her boss, but I'm hoping they just release me and let me go on my way.

Wow! Just read the thread. Biggest concern is that I don't see that they are Certified Licensing Instructors. Your road test should be done there and not at DMV. If I misread and they do then this is my advice. Tell them you ARE passing the road test or else.

You have worked too hard.

Getting the CDL is most important. Training with a company trainer will get you time behind the wheel. Get what I am saying?

If still not satisfied and you fail road test. Report them to the Transportation Manager of your State D.O.T. . This kind of school does not deserve to be part of the trucking industry.

God Speed

Miss Miyoshi wrote

UPDATE: I had a nice, long sit down conversation with the office administrator. I told her what my concerns were, and that I wanted to have the loan to the school forgiven (a signature loan, not through a lending institution) as we both agreed that what I needed to learn cannot be accomplished by the time my class is supposed to end (even with having a weekend added because of the snow closures this past weekend). She said she would talk it over with her boss, but I'm hoping they just release me and let me go on my way.

Geez I hope this works out in your favor. You certainly have persisted with it. Good luck.

UPDATE: I had a nice, long sit down conversation with the office administrator. I told her what my concerns were, and that I wanted to have the loan to the school forgiven (a signature loan, not through a lending institution) as we both agreed that what I needed to learn cannot be accomplished by the time my class is supposed to end (even with having a weekend added because of the snow closures this past weekend). She said she would talk it over with her boss, but I'm hoping they just release me and let me go on my way.

I understand what you want- to be a competent driver and get your CDL license. I can imagine all sorts of scenarios happening. One is- "No" - that you get no money back.

I realize I'm ignoring all the other scenarios, but threatening a lawsuit might be effective- as a last resort. I know a man who can help you and a group of lawyers who might help you. Let me know if it comes to this and I'll get you the info.