Hi All

I attended a truck driving program picked and paid for by WIA. Unfortunately the training was horrible. It was supposed to be a 17 day, 164 hour training program. I was there for over 5 weeks and only got maybe 7 hours range time and 2 hours behind the wheel. Because of the overcrowded classes I quit.

I met a OTR driver who is willing to train me on the cheap. Between his help and finishing at the school i could probably pass the CDL exam for a cost around 400-500 bucks maybe less. The CDL school trains on automatic trucks so i wouldnt really know how to shift smoothly. Also, the school never had time to allow me to hook up a trailer on my own.

Do most companies require a test drive from a student driver before hire? or Do they test drive after the training period?

There is a community college across the border where i could get excellent training for around 2200 bucks. But, most of these trucking companies it seems just want a body. I prefer to save the money. What do you guys suggest?

By the way, I wouldnt want to go through a company sponsored training program like swift or schneider either.

thanks

crunch

i'd stay away from swift because if you go to that school and get stuck with a trainer there you wont know anything at the end of training or what you will know will probably be taught to you by a driver who may have 8months behind the wheel himself, regardless if you dont end up working there long enough to pay for your school be prepared to pay about 5500 bucks for the school you attended. there is a great school in drumright ok, cfi, arrow,and several other co. will hire you out of scool there i know arrow trucking will pay for everything school,apt,food if you sign on with them first, the school is state funded and is cheap like 1300 for ok residents and 3200 for out of state and it a great school, but again they will own you till school is paid for which is usually for 1 yr.