The Sad Realization Of My CDL School

Wow, that does suck. Seriously, the *instructor* suggested that you start over somewhere else? That's a bad sign.

Wow indeed!

Prime headquarters is like a few miles from me, I may have to go check them out tomorrow.

I talked with my instructor, who is super cool. The suggestion that was made was this: After I complete their program, he recommends not being scheduled for the CDL test at the DMV and contacting Prime and starting my training with them from the bottom of the totem pole (PSD), because really that's what I'll need in order to pass the CDL test.

Even though you've been attending this school for about a month, the actual hours you have in the truck seems minimal. I'm wondering if you can get a portion of the $6,000 refunded. Do you have a contract with this school?

... 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. ...

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

Just a thought here: Some states DO NOT ALLOW 3rd party testing. Incidentally, my school was fraught with problems but that didn't ean the instructors weren't certified.. not sure about Miss Miyoshi's school, but all the instructors WERE state certified. That didn't necessarily make all of them good instructors.

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

They are licensed by the DMV to provide CDL instruction, and from what I understand are going through a DMV audit sometime today. (I think it's routine.) Everything they teach us and all materials have to be approved by the DOT officer at the DMV. And I am definitely considering reporting them.

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.

I appreciate that. I was a litigation paralegal for some time, and I'm sure I can handle things up to a point. But I'm hoping it doesn't get to that, although I did hint that I was prepared to take this to an attorney.

Even though you've been attending this school for about a month, the actual hours you have in the truck seems minimal. I'm wondering if you can get a portion of the $6,000 refunded. Do you have a contract with this school?

Yeah, the hours are pretty paltry, not enough to really master anything. I'm working on getting out of the loan altogether. The loan for the schooling is a signature loan, meaning it didn't go through any lending institution. It's basically a "promise to pay" broken down into monthly payments with interest. So to let me out of that loan all they have to do is tear up the paperwork. (And I'm trying to strong arm them into doing just that.)

Just a thought here: Some states DO NOT ALLOW 3rd party testing. Incidentally, my school was fraught with problems but that didn't ean the instructors weren't certified.. not sure about Miss Miyoshi's school, but all the instructors WERE state certified. That didn't necessarily make all of them good instructors.

Actually, my instructor is pretty radtastic. He's awesome. And my instructors and the school are certified, but the issue is how the school is run, not the individual trainers. And Virginia does not allow for 3rd party testing. We have to schedule with the DMV to take the test when the DOT inspector is available.

I feel for you. Same kind of thing happened to me with CDL training hours. 2 Trucks with mostly 1 Trainer. 8-12 students. M-F 160 hours program. You only had your initial 30 min with a trainer in the "Parking exercises" truck then it was students training each other. 5 people in truck taking approx. 15 min turns. The other truck would take 4 out and we each get like 30 minutes. Trip out before lunch and a trip out after lunch. With so many students you were lucky to get out on the road once a day for 30 minutes.

Anyway I did the Math: 160 hrs.

40 hrs----- permit study and DMV permit Test taking along with Haz and Tanker(passed all 1st try) 13 hrs------Backing/Parking exercises 11 hrs------Pretrip including Air Brakes 8 hrs-------Actual On the Road Training including 20% of that just driving around parking lot 20 hrs---Lunch 1 hr a day noon to 1pm 68 hrs---either observing others(70%) or Hanging out outside because lot truck was full and road truck was full(30%).

I manage to pass the CDL exam my first try. I wasnt very confident. Never drove a manual before I went to school. I passed, I believe , only because we able to drive the actual testing route, so we knew the speed limits, the stop signs, traffic lights etc. Shifting was rough but I managed.

So, ok Youre worried about the actual truck training time and I was, too. I was so so frustrated just like you. but when I passed the exam, there at the end, I thought everything worked out.......

I couldn't have been more wrong........

Got hired by Schneider. After only two 30-40 minute road driving excursions and 1 hr backing, I was told that I was going to be released unless I substantially improved. Had one more chance but this time was a given another trainer and a crappier truck and like 30 minutes to show them something. This guy kinda acted like an examiner. He was just evaluating me, no coaching. Consensus: I improved a little but not enough.. Right afterward, I was "let go" because my "shifting" and "backing" wasn't good enough! WOW REALLY! I was a little rusty, sure, 3 weeks have passed since my minimalist training. I had some rust to shake off but they didn't even give me a chance really. I don't have "experience" I'm a new graduate, what did they expect? Didn't they realize that most people would be a little "rough" out of the gate. I wasn't bad I assure you, I handled truck safely, but did I grind some gears- yes, did I miss a gear-yes(few times), did i forget the splitter, yes twice. did I stall the truck-well yes-once but mostly I shifted well. Wasn't too bad I thought for 1st day of driving. 1 more day or 2 and I'll be good. Never got the chance.

And with my backing, School taught me Parallel and straight back parking only. Its all I needed to know to pass exam. No 45 or 90 degree.... (only students who were taking exams after the new year practiced that.) Well guess what. Schneider wanted 45 degree backing ! So with like 20 minutes coaching I was expected to be okay. Then like 30-45 minutes of performing I wasn't horrible but I needed more time, obviously, since I never practiced the 45 before.

So, If you manage to get more truck training time at School, It may still not be nearly enough, even if you do manage to pass your CDL Exam..

Ruminator wrote:

School taught me Parallel and straight back parking only. Its all I needed to know to pass exam. No 45 or 90 degree

Were you were tested in PA for your CDL? PA requires execution of the 45 degree alley back in order to pass. Been that way as long as I can remember.

There is something to be said here about company sponsored schools. What I found to be true, the skills tests required to graduate from Swift Academy were more difficult and extensive than the CDL tests administered by PA DOT. In addition, if a student graduates from the Swift Academy and obtains the CDL, there is no exam prior to being accepted into the mentor (road training) program. Swift students received priority in getting their trainer as well.

I am not saying the private schools are better or worse than company sponsored schools, just some additional data points to consider when making a decision.

Yep PA Got my CDL this past December. School only taught and Examiner only required parallel and straight line.. However, for this year, 90 degree backing and off set backing was added to PA's new testing guidelines, No 45 degree. but it would have been nice if they still threw in some 45 degree training exercises.... Didn't go to DMV , had a someone come to school to test for CDL. 3rd party examiner i think they call this.

On retrospect should have gone to a company sponsored CDL training. at least that way there's no "Job driving interview" where they could let you go before you even do your usual OVR with a trainer