commerical driver services lakewood,wa

**Strada** · 03.14.2010

Does anyone have any experience with this firm? I see their rates are competitive with the local trade school and it looks viable. They only show one complaint from the Better Business Bureau in the last 36 months. I figure that's pretty good for any outfit. Anyone is bound to get one malcontent no matter what you do.
I have been courted by the CR England recruiter but am very reluctant after all the advice I have received here and on other sites. It looks like the people who advocate for CR England here do so elsewhere as well...I just don't want to work for an outfit that talks to you through bulletproof glass and includes armed guards in their employee relations.

**phroziac** · 03.14.2010

dont ever go to any companies school. Go to an independant one like this.

Also, if you go to your DMV and get the commercial driver manual, read the parts that apply to trucking (a lot of it is for busses and wont be on the test), and get a CDL A permit....a lot of times you can get into a cheaper course, because most schools basically charge you to read that book to you.

Book is free permit is $25 where i live....

you also dont even need truck driving school for some companies but you'll have to gain access to a truck and a CDL A driver for about 250 hours behind the wheel. That's hard to find! :P

Honestly I wouldn't worry much about the glass. Most big companies are like that, but ive never heard of bulletproof glass or armed guards... some of the worst places to drive for have no walls in their offices... (CRST)

**Palazon** · 03.14.2010

I graduated from CDS 2 years ago. Good school.

Specifics:

2002 - 2008 trucks, Frieghtliners, 10 spds. All trailers loaded with 20k lbs of concrete.

1 week classroom, 4 weeks roadtime. 3 students per instructor. Instuctors are knowlegable, and patient. Lots of city driving, getting you used to the turns. FYI: I strongly recommend dump truck training. Instructor is James (great) and it's 2 days of live load deliveries in the area. Also good experince on 15 spd tranny.

Office staff is AWESUME!!!! These people will jump through burning rings to help you! Lifetime job placement assistance. They have an excellent reputation with the areas carriers, Swift Gordon JB Hunt TWT, etc. One lady is named Lori.. make friends with her ASAP, she is a wonderful, helpful gal. Any needs you have, they will help (keep it clean, you old pervs).

There is on site barracks, but rooms are tiny and limited. One guy brought his camper and lived in it during school.

Weakness: All backing is cones, no docks. They'll teach straight, 45 degree docks. That's it.

Finally, it's a family business.

**Palazon** · 03.15.2010

One thing they will beat into your head is pretrips. Learn it, use it, live it. With CSA 2010 ongoing (not to meantion basic safety) it will save your keester.

**kickin chicken** · 03.15.2010

Hello Strada and Welcome to the Site

Looks like you are in a good school.

Keep us posted, so that we can follow you on your journey.

Best of Luck!

**jdsouza** · 06.09.2012

went thru the program from Dec to Jan got my class A Dump truck and Bus

**none** · 06.09.2012

Great effort!
.
You are covering all you basics! Asking truck drivers, before signing up.
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Also the truck stops will be woth visiting before you start. This way you will get a very specific idea about the industry.
Make sure you study and pass, (you can take the BMV written tests more than once). Before starting school, I think you have to pass three?

Take your dog eared BMV book when you go to the truck stops. Along with some passed written(this way the truck drivers will know you are serious) and just not some nut wasting their time.

Seattle? also check about getting a TWIC card, so you can get entry into all the ports and be hired by any of the trucking companys. Right out of school. Before other truck drivers. They will hire TWIC card holders over other CDL drivers with a few months experience.

**bknight** · 06.10.2012

I am at CDS right now. They are a great school. A lot has changed since this question was originally asked. They have a new owner and most of the front office has changed. They are still a very solid school and it runs very well. They do offer life long job placement and even help build your resume. The dump truck class is a good thing, one has a 13 speed the other an 18. All of the tractors still have 10 speeds but there is no weight in the trailers. You will also spend a day pulling doubles and another pulling a flat bed. They use 48' trailers opposed to a lot of schools up here that pull 35's just to making backing easier for your test and such. I like that they use longer trailers and they also try to train for the test but also for the real world. Highly recommend them. Also, they give you all of the materials you need but you are responsible for your permit, endorsements, drug test, etc. If you do not already know, washington state requires a 160 hour course before you can get your cdl.

**drdave** · 07.23.2012

CR England is being sued for telling lies. There is a big class action suit. They try to make you BUY a Truck in their driver opportunity. Or they have you sit, and pay you $7.00 a day for months, from the law suit. type in CR England in Google, and check out the law suit in the NE California district court.

**watrucker** · 07.27.2012

I am going to be going to the new location they have in Port Orchard, I hope I can get some kind of financing options, i'm unemployed and I don't qualify for all the workforce, VA,.. blah blah.

Gonna go chat with them tomorrow.