Worried I Wont Make It In School

Well i have been researching company trucking schools. The most promising is Celadon. Right now i have a oka job CNA just bought my first home no kids. An i really want to become a truck driver. But its a hugh risk!! I have never driven a manuel transmission. I will have to quit my current job to go to trucking school. An what if i cant pass my test. I go home with noting??? Is trucking school really that difficult??lady truckers what your opinion??? Is it worth the risk??? Im 23 years old an need some sound advice

I am currently training with Swift. They will pay for your transportation to one of their training hubs and give you a loan for the hotel room. The have been very patient with me, though the education is not very comprehensive it gets the job done. I had never driven a manual vehicle in my life until this week... and now I can straight line back a 40 foot tractor trailer with little problem!

If its something you really want to do, and you think the lifestyle will suit your needs, I say go for it!

Also the training costs $3900, but you only pay half that in installments over the course of one year... after the year they match it for half so it ends up only costing $1950.

Also the training costs $3900, but you only pay half that in installments over the course of one year... after the year they match it for half so it ends up only costing $1950.

Yeaa i looked at swift but the main reason i went with cealdon they pay 100% training food an board i wont pay a penny back if i sign a year with them. But thanks for the input i just worry about making it through training with my class A cdl

You just need to stay confident... we can do anything we put our minds to. The DMV written test was a little challenging... but you get three tries and I got it on my second.

As for learning driving they expect people to come in with no manual experience. In fact, our instructors said that it was better if you didn't have that experience... as tractors require a different technique when shifting compared to small gas powered vehicles.

You just need to stay confident... we can do anything we put our minds to. The DMV written test was a little challenging... but you get three tries and I got it on my second.

As for learning driving they expect people to come in with no manual experience. In fact, our instructors said that it was better if you didn't have that experience... as tractors require a different technique when shifting compared to small gas powered vehicles.

One last question do u feel it best to obtain permit before you go off to training or just get it while there at traing school

The first two days are spent training for the learners permit. That's taken on day 3, you can always go in and take it yourself but I dont see the point. If you do, it will need to include General Knowledge, Air Brakes, and Combination Vehicle endorsement. It was more than enough time for me but if you feel it may be a challenge then I can link you the PDF Arizona manual if you like and you can study that. The test is multiple choice out of 3 answers so its not extremely challenging if you know the material.

Hey, Pauletta!

Here's my 2 cents. Success depends on how badly you want it. I went to a "CDL Mill," a private school that lasted three weeks. I had never even been IN a truck before, but this was what I wanted to do. Here's how it broke down: I paid $2500 out of pocket and showed up Monday morning slightly giddy, slightly terrified. We had three and a half days of intense cram sessions to pass the permit test on Thursday, and of the ten of us that started, only 2 passed (I was one of them, but book knowledge always came easy for me. It's a LOT to remember) So that Saturday, the "do overs" returned to take the test. After that, only 2 of the original 10 had still failed and they repeated the classroom week and passed. The rest of us spent a week out on the range learning the 6 backing maneuvers and Friday were tested on all of them. I failed 2, and came back Saturday to retake them.

This was a low point for me. Testing on the 90* alley Dock when I'd only done it four times over the course of five days. It came down to allowing myself to fail, and spending another week on the range, or refusing to let myself fail and getting out on the road with the rest of my class the next week. This is where your brain, your heart, and your drive take over. I had put all my eggs in one basket, and a lot was riding on my timely success. I couldn't fail, so I refused to fail. I nailed all my maneuvers the next day and was out on the road.

Of the eight that made it through, five of us got our Class A CDL on the first try. Those that had never driven a manual? Passed. Those that had quit their jobs to attend training? Passed. Those that had always wanted to drive a truck? Passed. Those that didn't take anything seriously, spent those three weeks talking and telling jokes, and bragging about the fancy Freightliner Landstar they were gonna buy their first year? You guessed it. They failed their first attempt.

If you are going to a company training facility, or a tech school program, you won't have as bad a 'do or die' situation as I did. However, your drive, positivism, and sometimes even anger, will push you toward success, or not. If you're not the type to let fear defeat you before you start, you can do this. If you're the type whose pride won't let you stay down once knocked down, you'll do this. And be prepared to be knocked down. Learning to drive a 10-speed manual has a unique way of making you look and feel a bit stupid. Just don't sweat it. We all felt a bit stupid when we were in your shoes.

Hey, Pauletta!

thanks for your opinion it was very insightful lve been over an over the decision to bit the bullet an pay for the classes at my local community college its only 1600 I feel it would give me more time to learn everything than to feel rushed at a company school??,, I don't know but for right now I've been studying book for my permit an going over the highway road learning training course it's been a excellent resources for me I'm going to take my time do as. Much by myself then pray about it. O:-)

Here's my 2 cents. Success depends on how badly you want it. I went to a "CDL Mill," a private school that lasted three weeks. I had never even been IN a truck before, but this was what I wanted to do. Here's how it broke down: I paid $2500 out of pocket and showed up Monday morning slightly giddy, slightly terrified. We had three and a half days of intense cram sessions to pass the permit test on Thursday, and of the ten of us that started, only 2 passed (I was one of them, but book knowledge always came easy for me. It's a LOT to remember) So that Saturday, the "do overs" returned to take the test. After that, only 2 of the original 10 had still failed and they repeated the classroom week and passed. The rest of us spent a week out on the range learning the 6 backing maneuvers and Friday were tested on all of them. I failed 2, and came back Saturday to retake them.

This was a low point for me. Testing on the 90* alley Dock when I'd only done it four times over the course of five days. It came down to allowing myself to fail, and spending another week on the range, or refusing to let myself fail and getting out on the road with the rest of my class the next week. This is where your brain, your heart, and your drive take over. I had put all my eggs in one basket, and a lot was riding on my timely success. I couldn't fail, so I refused to fail. I nailed all my maneuvers the next day and was out on the road.

Of the eight that made it through, five of us got our Class A CDL on the first try. Those that had never driven a manual? Passed. Those that had quit their jobs to attend training? Passed. Those that had always wanted to drive a truck? Passed. Those that didn't take anything seriously, spent those three weeks talking and telling jokes, and bragging about the fancy Freightliner Landstar they were gonna buy their first year? You guessed it. They failed their first attempt.

If you are going to a company training facility, or a tech school program, you won't have as bad a 'do or die' situation as I did. However, your drive, positivism, and sometimes even anger, will push you toward success, or not. If you're not the type to let fear defeat you before you start, you can do this. If you're the type whose pride won't let you stay down once knocked down, you'll do this. And be prepared to be knocked down. Learning to drive a 10-speed manual has a unique way of making you look and feel a bit stupid. Just don't sweat it. We all felt a bit stupid when we were in your shoes.