How long should I wait?

If you have only driven 10 road miles, never been over 35 mph, never made a left hand turn, you need a LOT more experience before even thinking about pulling a parking lot.
I really hope these schools are giving more / better training than that.

 

The school I went to.... didnt really do much straight down the road driving. The instructor said anyone could drive in a straight line as long as you look far eunf up the road.
What we mostly did was city driving, on and off access roads, on and off freeway, merging, uphill stop lights ( ok, a highway overpass is considered a hill in Ft Worth) and lots of truck traffic streets ( Miller brewing, etc). He had about a hour route we took turns driving, also parking in a small plaza that had a decent size lot. Also Texas has u-turns under freeway overpasses. Some are a bit narrow.
But we did some freeway driving as well. Just no mountains.
If you've only driven 10 miles, I hope you get lots more miles your last week. Driving in the middle lane at 75 mph with trucks passing you on both sides at 2 am.... yeah, you need more on street driving.
Good luck, hope everything works out well for you.

 

I read posts like this every day and continue to be amazed at the "illusion" that is put forth to new CDL students by their schools. The illusion is that once you get your CDL you are the choice maker in where YOU WANT to be employed. Save all that hogwash for the "Driver Mills". You can read about them on this forum in another section every day.

Here is how it is in the real world. The CDL school gets you a CDL A license. That's it. When you walk out of DMV with your new CDL, you still have Zero experience. Most Carhaul companies require 3-5 years driving under your belt before they grant an interview. No major auto hauler is going to put a brand new CDL holder out in the real world with a 75 foot auto transporter carrying what could be $500,000 or more in vehicle cargo.

I hope I don't come off as sounding harsh. That is not my intent. I'm just telling it like it is.

 

You do realize most companies who accept students straight out of school have a training program that is longer. They are not and will not take a strident with little road time and throw him in a truck solo. You'll be with an individual who meets that companies qualifications as a trainer. There is no need to settle for anything.

 

Fyi. The original question was asked to the carhaul segment of the industry. Zero experience and going with a trainer is what happens with the "Driver Mills". And that all depends on what you "settle for". With most top job companies, you better apply already experienced. Those companies have their pick of seasoned chauffers.

 

Yes and he is still in school, there are a couple of car hauler companies that takes students.albeit they aren't the most reputable, but he doesn't have to settle with swift just to get his training.

 

I don't recall ever mentioning Swift. I do not know of one single auto transport company that I myself would drive for that takes trainees just out of school. Maybe one of the fly by nighters out there moving motor vehicles will. However none that I would recommend.

 

You didn't the op mentioned going to swift to get his training. I'm sure if he does a search on the forums here he can find the car hauler company that his students, how ever if memory serves me correctly, they aren't the most reputable, and they don't have the greatest equipment.