Follow me through Central Refrigerated training

So today begins my journey with Central Refrigerated in Fontana, CA. Some have asked me to keep them posted on how it is going so I started this thread to do just that so new drivers can be more informed. I live close enough to drive to the school so I have no idea about the accommodations they provide (but if you give up on a school because of accommodations then trucking ain't for you). So will try to update this every night while things are fresh in my mind and maybe it will help others trying to chose what to do.

 

So am back from the first day of training. The class goes from 6:30am - 4:30pm with ½ hr for lunch. First off the class only had 10 people in it so was not a bad size. The first day was mostly paper work. A few words about the paper work. You will need names, address and phone numbers of 4 personal references that are not related to you. So if you don't know them all by heart bring them along with you. Also found out that if you have Military Service then you get a discount on the training so bring along your DD-214. Also did the drug test and DOT physical not much to that.


You do have to also do some other physical type test for the company that has nothing to do with DOT. This test consists of lifting a basket with weights in it from a waste high shelve down to the ground and back up to the shelve again. You do it 3 times with 25 lb, 3 with 50lbs. and 3 with 75lbs. Then you have to lift the basket of weights from waist high shelve to shoulder high shelve 3 times for each weight of 25lbs, 40lbs and 50lbs. Then you have to carry the basket of weights about 10ft and back three times first with 50lbs and then 75lbs. Then you have to pull on a force gage attached to the wall till you get 100lb force, then push the force gage against the wall to the same reading. Then you have to step up and down one rung of a ladder 5 times. That's it if you can do that you pass.


After lunch did some more paperwork and watched two videos required by state law then studied for the CDL written test. Was told that on Wednesday we would go to DMV to take the test so you only have one day to prepare so if you are slow study at home and some beforehand and you should be fine. They give you a study guide that has all of the test questions that DMV asks with all the answers so should not be too hard to pass. Once you get your permit on Wednesday you will be out in the yard practicing your skills and driving on Friday.

So yes the class is accelerated and quick but I feel very confident that they give you what you need to pass the test and get you CDL. The rest you can learn in the real world as you go out with your trainer anyway and I personally would rather learn there and make money instead of in a class room. I am pleased so far with my choice and think it will be just what I need only time will tell. By the way for you female drivers, we have two in our class and the physical test I described above you also have to do with the same amounts of weights. Well that's about it for now going to go make some dinner relax a bit and study my study guide. Will check in with ya'll tomorrow when I get back home.

 

Well second day is done and will be going to DMV tomorrow to take the written test for CDL permit. Today was nothing but taking tests over and over to get ready for the DMV. They gave you three different test to take and you took each test 3 different times. The instructor gave you little hints as we were grading them on questions that most seemed to be missing. By the end of the day most were passing the test without getting any wrong and the others only missed 3 or 4. Supposedly they are the exact same questions the DMV asks so the test tomorrow at DMV should be easy, will let you know how it goes. Not much else on today just studying and test but do feel well prepared for tomorrow.

 

Day 3

Checked into class this morning filled out paper work for DMV then they took us over to DMV to take the test. Passed it no problems at all only missed one. Everything that we study yesterday was on the test and most of the questions were worded the exact same way. Some were worded a bit different but the answers were the same. Everyone in the class passed the test so we all now have are permits. I don't think anyone took longer then 15 minutes to actually take the test so the training was great.

After lunch we were back in class and did HOS for the rest of the day. They gave us a trip description of where we were going and we filled out log sheets for a whole week as if we were driving. Tomorrow will be last day in class then we head out to the yard and start practicing skills and driving. only 9 more days of training and will be out on the road making money. Everyday I go to training makes me even happier that I chose CRS.

 

It depends on what you mean by "mess up". If you mean that if you don't get something right away will they kick you out then no. They will work with you till you get something. For instance we have one guy that joined our class yesterday. He was actually from a class that was before ours but he kept failing his written test. They let him continue going to the DMV and take the test and when he finally passed then he came back and joined a class to continue on. Understand that the class is short and very much accelerated. So if you don't keep up they will try to help you but to be fair to all students if you can't they will just hold you back and see if you can get it but only up to a certian point.

If you meant "mess up" to mean that you miss a class or show up late or other things like that then yes you get one chance and that's it. They told us that on the very first day. It is a fast paced class and only makes since to do it this way. Hope that helps answer your questions.