CDL Training At A Local College Truck Driving Academy

Chill. I was passing information for everyone’s benefit, not just yours.

Very much interested in your ongoing posts. I'm in school also. My situation is a little different because I had my CLP before I started class and they put our butts in a truck the very first day and out on the highway. I was very nervous, which doesn't help me think fast. But I made it and as the week progressed I was able to relax a little. Many were the times I just wanted to tell my instructor to just shut up and let me concentrate. I wish we had a simulator at the school, I think that it would be very helpful to practice with a simulator before practicing on the road. Good luck with your training and keep us posted! Bruce

To be honest I was so excited for the simulator and when I got in it it was so uncomfortable I’m 6’3” 300lbs and it was hard to shift, no leg room, so much more comfy in truck and it’s nothing like the simulator, even had some instructors say they were terrible at driving it lol maybe it’s the kind we have, we were in trucks the 2nd week learning how to shift, And it’s a lot different when we went from the old Air Force base where my school is to the city streets where you have lights and other cars but you just gotta take a deep breath and relax I was pretty up tight first time, good luck in school

I can imagine how the simulator could be a bit annoying. I’ve seen pictures of how small they tend to be. Interesting to hear someone give an honest review of it.

It’d be awesome if Walmart actually did show up. You should post some pictures If they do. At my school- we had Tristate high security, Schneider, transland, RBX inc, us xpresss, and DOT so far. All very interesting, but all spouting similar dialogues. In the end tho- it’s good to gain experience talking with recruiters- as it makes it easier to ask the important questions rather than getting caught up in the glamor.

Hope your short week goes well! Peace out, Eggman.

Eggman wrote:

It’d be awesome if Walmart actually did show up. You should post some pictures If they do.

They won’t. Mark my words it’s a Walmart Dedicated opportunity with one of the Mega Carriers recruiting. Schneider, Werner, Prime, Swift and US Express are all Walmart Transportation Partners with DC contracts. They are equipped to train. Walmart’s model does not support or train entry-level drivers.

That said, landing a position with a Walmart Dedicated account where an entry level driver is trained in the DC’s territory is a fantastic opportunity.

Thanks Eggman I’ll let ya know you have a good week too

Today was all day driving we drove the actual test route a few times, lots of traffic lights, couple of tricky turns, one place where if you catch a red light you have to keep your foot on clutch and brake and release brake when you feel the truck starting to move then release the clutch, speeds of 35mph to 75mph, a railroad crossing we have to treat as if we have a Hazmat load, a place where we have to execute an emergency stop, did the entire route perfect without any mistakes, also lots of bridges where we have to look at the height and tell the examiner if he asks, also worked on parallel parking and did that a few times, have all day tomorrow and half day Wednesday to practice as well as Monday and I will test Tuesday morning next week at 8am.

75mph? Is that a typo?

Otherwise flat out frightening.

He's in TEXAS. It's probably not a typo, because speed limits are higher in many areas.

Yes once you get out of town going north, south, east or west it’s 75mph, I only went about 62-65 as that is all I felt comfortable with,