Started CDL Career Yesterday And I Am Going To...

...use this forum to give updates about my progress regarding this career in form of a daily.

I am in Texas

First update: 12 August, 2014

1. Yesterday, I passed the Combination Vehicle Exam with 95% for the Class A permit. All the question were familiar because I did the High Road Practice Test on this website. The only question I missed not because I did not know it, but because I did not read carefully. 2. I am going to take the second test (Rules and Regulations) tomorrow. 3. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, these two tests are needed to get the permit. The other written tests are part of the actual CDL Test. The permit only cost $11. I have 90 days time after passing the test tomorrow.

Update 12 August, 2014:

1. I have decided to attend the FFE Academy in Ft Worth, Tx. I just sent my application to them. 2. How long should I be waiting until I call them to ask them about the status of my application? 3. I also noticed that the application form did not have any FFE logo on it, but KLLM. Whenever, I click on the apply button on the FFE website, I get the application form of KLLM. Has KLLM taken over FFE? If yes, was it a friendly or a hostile take over? Does the FFE Academy still exist? 4. If FFE Academy does not work out, the next candidate would be Stevens Academy in Dallas or Swift Academy in San Antonio. 5. The second option would be to attend the El Paso Community College Truck Driving School who allied with Mesilla Valley Training Institute and then start my on-the-job training with Averitt Express. They hire recent graduates and Mesilla Valley Training Institute is one of the schools they approve. They require from the recent graduates to attend course with 240 hours of instruction. If I pass the CDL Tests I am eligible to start one of their Student Driver Programs. If I get financial aid for the El Paso Community College, I will do this program, but if FFE Academy responds quickly and invite me then I will go there. 6. Other options if nothing else works are Prime Inc, Con-Way Freight, or Knight/Squire Transportation

How do I tag this topic? I would like to place it under Truck Driving Stories tag.

Congrats on passing with a great score. First off you may want to start a thread for this in the other forum under training. Next FFE is in Lancaster Tx. Not a bad facility. FFE is owned by KLLM since the end of last year. They operate it under the FFE name but its basically KLLM. If you dont get a response back in a day or two call recuriting in Jackson Ms and ask for Lori. She gets things done. The buyout was friendly and the staff from both companies get along well. There isnt any ill feelings bout any of it. I wasn't aware they were doing new students over there but I know they do them in Jackson. Hope this helps a bit. I wish you well

Update 12 August, 2014:

1. I have decided to attend the FFE Academy in Ft Worth, Tx. I just sent my application to them. 2. How long should I be waiting until I call them to ask them about the status of my application? 3. I also noticed that the application form did not have any FFE logo on it, but KLLM. Whenever, I click on the apply button on the FFE website, I get the application form of KLLM. Has KLLM taken over FFE? If yes, was it a friendly or a hostile take over? Does the FFE Academy still exist? 4. If FFE Academy does not work out, the next candidate would be Stevens Academy in Dallas or Swift Academy in San Antonio. 5. The second option would be to attend the El Paso Community College Truck Driving School who allied with Mesilla Valley Training Institute and then start my on-the-job training with Averitt Express. They hire recent graduates and Mesilla Valley Training Institute is one of the schools they approve. They require from the recent graduates to attend course with 240 hours of instruction. If I pass the CDL Tests I am eligible to start one of their Student Driver Programs. If I get financial aid for the El Paso Community College, I will do this program, but if FFE Academy responds quickly and invite me then I will go there. 6. Other options if nothing else works are Prime Inc, Con-Way Freight, or Knight/Squire Transportation

Hey there please keep me informed b/c i'm trying to make the best decision for me also. I live in DFW and considering that school as well. Are the other schools you mentioned offer paid training and do they require a year contract?

FFE/KLLM and Stevens both require you to drive for them, but hey this is a great opportunity. This is the reason the schooling and training are free/sponsored. I think the purpose of attending a company-sponsored trucking school is to work for them. However, you are not forced to stay for one year, but you should. If you want to leave earlier, then you can do it, but you need to be sure to save enough money to pay the tuition. There is not contract with Averitt Express. The requirement is that you attend a trucking school and they require 240 hours instruction. Averitt Express Headquarters are in Grand Prairie, TX.

I have decided to continue this diary in the CDL Training Diaries Forum.

The FFE Academy is located in Fort Worth, but the Orientation after the school will be in Lancaster, Tx.

The FFE Academy is located in Fort Worth, but the Orientation after the school will be in Lancaster, Tx.

Thanks for responding because I know everyone is busy. Once I learn the ropes I'll do the same thing and help others along the way! I do want to know what is the diff b/t orientation after school?

I think one requirement for the FFE Academy is that the student needs to be a Texas Resident. I think Stevens Transport has different policies. FFE Academy might have changed the rules since the take over by KLLM. It is good to verify.