Finished Day 4 At NTTS, 17 More Weeks To Go

Hello everybody,

Well, things seem to be moving along pretty rapidly at NTTS. Monday is a holiday, so, I'll be taking my physical on Wednesday, than, going straight to DMV to get my CDL permit and endorsements. I have to take the Air Brake and Combination endorsement for school, the rest are voluntary, but from everyone I've talked to at school, it seems the easiest thing to do is just get them all while I'm there. NY state also has a separate endorsement for Metal Coils, don't know if other states have this or not.

At this point, looks like the only 2 I won't be going for are the passenger endorsement, and the Tow Truck endorsement. So at this point it's the Air Brake, Combination Vehicle , Doubles and Triples, Hazmat , Tank and Metal Coils.

Since I'm 50, and just starting out, I figure with all the endorsements it'll make me more sellable to the company(whichever one that is). I'm going to wait until I get my CDL permit before I even think about pre-hires.

Every month NTTS has 6-7 company orientations, Swift, Roehl, TMC, H.O.W., Werner Enterprises, US Express, Crete Carriers. These companies came in July and August. Not sure yet who is coming in September, but I know TMC will be back in October. Since my schooling won't be finished until Dec. 31, that still gives me quite a bit of time.

So Long for now, and by the way, I love the High Road Newsletters, very helpful. Since this is a holiday weekend coming up, it'll give me time to work more on the CDL test course here at TruckingTruth. Had 4 written test today, got 100 on 3 of them and 90 on 1. Taking the CDL quizzes here put me way ahead of the game at school, today we were going over Air Brakes in the NYS DMV CDL manual, and I felt like I only had to review the info. since I've already learned so much here.

Sounds like things are off to a great start! Really glad to hear our training materials have been so helpful. Sure is nice being way ahead of the game, isn't it?

Hello Mr Brett Aquila,

I just wanted to say THANK YOU for making this website happen and especially for putting together the CDL Online Trainer Program.

I'm using my US ARMY Post 9/11 GI BILL benefits to pay for Al Sorrano Professional Truck Driving School / CDL Class A training in the Bronx, New York City.

Even though my classes don't start until January, thanks to your website CDL training I'm already ahead of the game, just like Mr Glenn G did, by going to the DMV myself and taking the written endorsement tests.

In just two days, I already took the NYS DMV CDL General Knowledge, Air Brakes, Combination, and Doubles/Triples on my CDL learners permit. Your method of teaching the different subjects is ABSOLUTELY AWESOME! I like the part were you halt the student if he tries to get through the program by guessing the answers. We used to call that "tough love" in the army.

Without even attending the first day in school I got these endorsements done thanks to a combination of motivation & outstanding teaching study material (your DMV CDL Practice Tests included).

Before New Years, I'm gonna get them all done (HAZMAT, Metal Coil (The only topic I didn't find in your program), Passenger, School Bus, Tank and Tow Truck) - and why not? It can only help me in my new trucking career.

You are a good man for organizing a learning program that actually works Brett. I struggled in High Scool with staying focused in class - but I think the fact that you are a truck driver yourself with a sense of humor helped making this whole thing easier to grasp.

Ever since I watched my army buddies getting the M1 A2 Abrams Main Battle tanks transported on Heavy Equipment Transporter Vehicles (HET M1070A1 OSHKOSH DEFENSE) - Talk about WIDE OVERSIZE LOAD! - I wanted to be able to legally drive MY OWN Big Rig one day. Now I know this will happen one day.

Thank you Brett, for your attention to detail in building this website and for helping a Veteran building his own meaningful career.

"Never let your head hang down. Never give up and sit down and grieve. Find another way. And don't pray when it rains if you don't pray when the sun shines." Richard M. Nixon

Best Regards, Jacob I.

Jacob, Thanks for your input. I too am in NYS. Eastern part and studying for the Permit exam thru this site. Did you find anything peculiarly different than that in the exam? I did notice one question regarding OOS Orders time losing your CDL. I believe this site says 6 mos and NYS book says 90 days. But as I recall it doesn't specify first or second offense.. You are at National Tractor Trailer school? Is that in Syracuse? I did a school check through this site there wasn't anything in my area, (Albany). Im interested in trucking as a second career. I too will be 50, soon. I live on I87 corridor and see many many different companies. I don't know what I don't know . haha make sense? A school or a good reputable company. I enjoyed reading the blog from the guy who went through Appleton Wisconsin . I don't even understand how the pay system works for truckers. Is it mileage only? a salary and mileage? Thanks for reading and any input you may have. I too am retired military.

Don R

Jacob, Thanks for your input. I too am in NYS. Eastern part and studying for the Permit exam thru this site. Did you find anything peculiarly different than that in the exam? I did notice one question regarding OOS Orders time losing your CDL. I believe this site says 6 mos and NYS book says 90 days. But as I recall it doesn't specify first or second offense.. You are at National Tractor Trailer school? Is that in Syracuse? I did a school check through this site there wasn't anything in my area, (Albany). Im interested in trucking as a second career. I too will be 50, soon. I live on I87 corridor and see many many different companies. I don't know what I don't know . haha make sense? A school or a good reputable company. I enjoyed reading the blog from the guy who went through Appleton Wisconsin . I don't even understand how the pay system works for truckers. Is it mileage only? a salary and mileage? Thanks for reading and any input you may have. I too am retired military.

Don R

Hi Don - Thank You for your Service brother! If you have not used your GI Bill or Post 9/11 GI Bill yet, my own advice would be to first use this site to find a reputable private trucking school that you like (call them) and then go through the V.A. office in Buffalo, NY, and pay for the school with your military benefits. According to the info I got the school I applied to is supposed to be good - I will let you know after I've graduated just how good they are. Since I happen to live in New York City, only one of the schools in my area was endorsed by truckingtruth.com , and that was Al Sorano's Professional Truck Driving School in the Bronx, NY. If you use your V.A. Benefits, they would even pay for Cost of Housing allowance during the time it takes to complete the program if you choose to travel to a school far away. In fact, I'm going to a Heavy Equipment Operator School in Wisconsin after I take this Class A CDL; its a 6-week training program (you live in barracks just like in the US Army) - and the tuition is completely covered by the GI Benefits. I think its great that the government gives Veteran's a chance to learn new skills for a new career. If you want to check them out (they give CDL Class A training also) - here they are: https://www.operator-school.com/ Anyway, to get to your point - by studying this website's CDL training tools you should be able to pass the DMV office CDL exams with no problems. The only thing I would encourage you to do is to read through the NYS CDL manual as well, because New York has some specific regulations regarding the School Bus Endorsement that are in addition to what most of the other states seem to have. Also, request the NYS DMV Supplemental rules for the TOW TRUCK and METAL COIL CDL Endorsements online at: http://dmv.ny.gov/forms/mv14.pdf Simply because these two endorsements are unique to New York only - from what I understand. So far I've passed all the DMV CDL written exams (CORE, AIR BRAKES, COMBINATION, DOUBLES/TRIPLES, HAZMAT , TANK, PASSENGER, SCHOOL BUS) except TOW TRUCK and METAL COIL - I'm studying for these last ones now. The HAZMAT is a little tricky - try to memorize as many Classes and Regulations as you can. As soon as you get your CDL Permit with the HAZMAT Endorsement - apply to the TSA for your government permit via: http://www.tsa.gov/stakeholders/hazmat-endorsement-threat-assessment-program I think simply showing up at the school with all the endorsements on your CDL Learners Permit already should save a lot of time, and let you go straight to the actual driving classes. Going to a private school should give the student a little more independence when it comes to looking for work with different companies after graduation. I will write a review of my school on this site once I have completed training and obtained my CDL Class A. My goal is to get qualified on different types of equipment, so as soon as I'm done with the CDL I'm going to a Heavy Equipment Operator School next - always wanted to learn how to operate a Bulldozer and an Excavator! I figure in today's job market it would be good to stand out with more qualifications on your resume. Regarding your other questions I simply don't have that information yet - I'm sure more experienced truckers would know. Good luck to you brother - stay motivated - and Happy New Year! Jacob I.

Jacob, Thanks for your input. I too am in NYS. Eastern part and studying for the Permit exam thru this site. Did you find anything peculiarly different than that in the exam? I did notice one question regarding OOS Orders time losing your CDL. I believe this site says 6 mos and NYS book says 90 days. But as I recall it doesn't specify first or second offense.. You are at National Tractor Trailer school? Is that in Syracuse? I did a school check through this site there wasn't anything in my area, (Albany). Im interested in trucking as a second career. I too will be 50, soon. I live on I87 corridor and see many many different companies. I don't know what I don't know . haha make sense? A school or a good reputable company. I enjoyed reading the blog from the guy who went through Appleton Wisconsin . I don't even understand how the pay system works for truckers. Is it mileage only? a salary and mileage? Thanks for reading and any input you may have. I too am retired military.

Don R

Hi Don - Thank You for your Service brother! If you have not used your GI Bill or Post 9/11 GI Bill yet, my own advice would be to first use this site to find a reputable private trucking school that you like (call them) and then go through the V.A. office in Buffalo, NY, and pay for the school with your military benefits. According to the info I got the school I applied to is supposed to be good - I will let you know after I've graduated just how good they are. Since I happen to live in New York City, only one of the schools in my area was endorsed by truckingtruth.com , and that was Al Sorano's Professional Truck Driving School in the Bronx, NY. If you use your V.A. Benefits, they would even pay for Cost of Housing allowance during the time it takes to complete the program if you choose to travel to a school far away. In fact, I'm going to a Heavy Equipment Operator School in Wisconsin after I take this Class A CDL; its a 6-week training program (you live in barracks just like in the US Army) - and the tuition is completely covered by the GI Benefits. I think its great that the government gives Veteran's a chance to learn new skills for a new career. If you want to check them out (they give CDL Class A training also) - here they are: https://www.operator-school.com/ Anyway, to get to your point - by studying this website's CDL training tools you should be able to pass the DMV office CDL exams with no problems. The only thing I would encourage you to do is to read through the NYS CDL manual as well, because New York has some specific regulations regarding the School Bus Endorsement that are in addition to what most of the other states seem to have. Also, request the NYS DMV Supplemental rules for the TOW TRUCK and METAL COIL CDL Endorsements online at: http://dmv.ny.gov/forms/mv14.pdf Simply because these two endorsements are unique to New York only - from what I understand. So far I've passed all the DMV CDL written exams (CORE, AIR BRAKES, COMBINATION, DOUBLES/TRIPLES, HAZMAT , TANK, PASSENGER, SCHOOL BUS) except TOW TRUCK and METAL COIL - I'm studying for these last ones now. The HAZMAT is a little tricky - try to memorize as many Classes and Regulations as you can. As soon as you get your CDL Permit with the HAZMAT Endorsement - apply to the TSA for your government permit via: http://www.tsa.gov/stakeholders/hazmat-endorsement-threat-assessment-program I think simply showing up at the school with all the endorsements on your CDL Learners Permit already should save a lot of time, and let you go straight to the actual driving classes. Going to a private school should give the student a little more independence when it comes to looking for work with different companies after graduation. I will write a review of my school on this site once I have completed training and obtained my CDL Class A. My goal is to get qualified on different types of equipment, so as soon as I'm done with the CDL I'm going to a Heavy Equipment Operator School next - always wanted to learn how to operate a Bulldozer and an Excavator! I figure in today's job market it would be good to stand out with more qualifications on your resume. Regarding your other questions I simply don't have that information yet - I'm sure more experienced truckers would know. Good luck to you brother - stay motivated - and Happy New Year! Jacob I.

Thanks Jacob, good information! I will look at the Metal Coil information. Thanks to you as well for your service..

Don