Im about to start truck driver training with PTDS aka professional truck diving school associated with MTC aka truck driving training school in Hazelwood,Mo. training is in paducah, kentucky at this point ive past background check, driving history and the requirements and was told ive been pick up with Werner enterprises.

I know there is good and bad with everything alot of negatives about werner and some good. I ran into a guy today and long story short he happen to be a truck driver. I told him I was going to this school and would start with werner enterprises. he said dont do it unless I have to. Go another route I would not be happy with werner.

He was saying to go to a vocational school for about $1000 instead of the $4000 for the MTC school. Takes about the same amount of time.

My concern is I need training on driving the trucks, I can take course to pass the state CDL test in time.

You guys have been there getting your CDL and learning how to physically drive the trucks. Bottomline I will do what it takes to get my CDL and training I need to get certified. I live in the south florida area.

Is paying $4000 for this class and hopefully getting on with werner the way to go.

I respect your input good or bad.

Porsche9xx2,

I am taking a local community college CDL Truck driver course.
We are doing the bookwork, 204 hours of hands on driving instruction with a loaded tractor-trailer 78,000 pounds. City , highway, freeway and mountain 6% grades.
Our instructor is a Million mile accident free OTR driver, very knowledgeable and instructive.
So I will end up paying about $400 for licence, tests, DOT physical to complete the course, the cost of the schooling is provided by a federal grant. And then go find my own company to work for, many out there hire CDL students and put you on a 6 week training program for trial with pay.

Now I know you may have to get a loan if you followed the same route of getting yourself trained like I have, but you would not be endentured to servitude to a single company for 1-2 years to repay the training costs, or similary dismissed by said company and promissary note due and payable upon termination.

But you will be free to pick from offers of employment to start rather than stuck someplace that was not your choice...........


Just my way of looking at things,
Good luck and good roads !

Porche -

Going to a carrier sponsored/provided school is your last resort. If you do that, you will have to work for the sponsoring carrier for 12 to 24 months - or, if you leave them sooner, will have to pay back at least a portion of the cost. Further, it seems (and I'm not sure about this) that those schools are.. um.. over priced by a good bit.

Community college or some other third party school is the better choice. If you can't afford it on your own, or get a loan, go take a look at your county unemployment office. They have access to grants and loans you might qualify for.

Thus, when you finally DO get your CDL, you have a much wider choice of companies for whom to work. You still may end up at Werner, but you could leave in 4 months and not owe them a thing

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Democrats should just stop pretending and own up to the fact that they are full-bore dyed in the wool socialists.

If you have to have help paying for the school, apply with Conway Truckload.

With those guys they cover all but 1000 bucks of the school which is one hell of a deal, then you do their trainer time which is 7500 miles and you have to deliver ONE load for them and your debt is paid in full.

No 6 months to 1 year like the majority of the BS companies out there want, one load and that is seriously it. I did it, worked for them for a while. They aren't the best company in the world but they are miles ahead of any Werner/Swift/JB/CRST out there. They will pay you fairly and you will be in a nice truck. It's a good place to get started.


I have never met a happy Werner driver, that's all I can say lol.

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Running the rock bucket 500.

I have gone through Western Pacific Truck School in CA for my CDL and by far it has been the best way. I was lucky and got a lot of one on one training.

Living in south florida. you have Mcfatter which is vocational and I think Miami Dade college puts on a vocational classes for CDL.