Refresher Courses...worth the money?

**tbrown_sd** · 07.14.2012

Does anyone have knowledge of any companies who will hire experienced drivers that have been out from behind the wheel too long and need to take a 40-hour refresher course?

My husband has been out of a truck for over a year, the majority of which has been on State Disability (2 weeks after losing his last job). He has over 2 years experience but it is not recent enough. If he pays for a refresher course, do you know of any companies that would hire?

Thanks for any help.

**transam pete** · 07.14.2012

i dont know much just ask my wife
but from what i read on here almost everyone will want that refresher course
I believe this is insurance co driven
companies really only care about loads delivered on time so they get paid
safety dept's are there only to keep DOT off thier back
most would let us drive anything that would move if they could
without suffering repercussions

**headgasket** · 07.14.2012

Having to take a refresher was no big deal. You may check to see if your husband
Would need to go out with a trainer. I took car England's refresher, only 10 days and free but
I went out with a trainer and it was terrible. That could be with any company. What you may want
To make sure is if being on disability is not an issue.

**transam pete** · 07.14.2012

well if he was on state disability that has a finite time period
with expectation of recovery
not federal disability for the morally crippled

**bushpilott** · 07.14.2012

I have been trying to re-enter the trucking world and was told for the most part that I needed a refresher course after being away from driving over 3 years. To make a long story short, I started my short driving experience with Schneider and drove for them two different times, the last time in 2006. I did drive for Knight for a very short time at the end of 2008. After talking to a few companies and applying to one, I called Schneider and was informed that I was ok for rehire on the condition that I take a refresher course. Upon completing the course I reapplied and will be hired on as an experienced driver to report to the ATL OC on 7/23 for orientation. FYI If you live in or near Florida and need a refresher course I recommend Flagler Technical Institute in Palm Coast. They offer a 8 week commercial driving course in addition to the refresher. The cost was only $450 for the refresher. You can look them up on the web.
I did apply to Prime and thought I might have a chance but I have a Federal civil service retirement annuity and hadn't been employed for the past three years and at the last minute they wanted at least one year of employment, so if your husband has some recent employment he might ck with them.

**tbrown_sd** · 07.14.2012

Originally Posted by bushpilott

I called Schneider and was informed that I was ok for rehire on the condition that I take a refresher course. Upon completing the course I reapplied and will be hired on as an experienced driver to report to the ATL OC on 7/23 for orientation. FYI If you live in or near Florida and need a refresher course I recommend Flagler Technical Institute in Palm Coast. They offer a 8 week commercial driving course in addition to the refresher. The cost was only $450 for the refresher. You can look them up on the web.
I did apply to Prime and thought I might have a chance but I have a Federal civil service retirement annuity and hadn't been employed for the past three years and at the last minute they wanted at least one year of employment, so if your husband has some recent employment he might ck with them.

Feel fortunate regarding the price!! We live in San Diego and the only two schools here are United Truck School and Western Truck Driving School; United charges $1415 for the 40-week course and Western charges $2800 (I think someone at Western bumped their head on something!)

Anyway, he's going to check Schneider again...last time around they didn't have anything for someone living in our area. I don't know that he's ever checked with Prime.

This industry definitely has its unique twists and turns!

Thanks for your input...

**tbrown_sd** · 07.14.2012

Originally Posted by headgasket

What you may want
To make sure is if being on disability is not an issue.

The disability is not an issue from what we've been told. The one company he was considering required a letter from his doctor that he "can drive a commercial vehicle with no restrictions."

As for your experience with C.R. England and the trainer - this is one company my husband would not consider working for, no matter what.

Thanks for your help.

**bushpilott** · 07.15.2012

The school I mention is a county education in Flagler county. I also found a couple of state colleges that offer commercial driving programs with refresher courses so ck local and state institutions. The reason I applied with with Prime is that they have a refresher that is $100 if they hire you. Trucking Truth is another forum that has info on companies that has company sponsored training that offer refreshers. Don't give up, y'all will find away. Also you might want to ck craigs list under transport,

**123456** · 07.15.2012

A refresher for just 1 year of not driving ?

Plenty of companies will hire if you have 2 years experience, but not within the last year.

Continue researching.

**1958Pete** · 07.15.2012

tbrown_sd, most companies only require one year of experience, within the past three years. So, he meets that basic requirement, without any additional training.