Review: NorCal Truck Driving School

Discussion in 'Trucking Schools and CDL Training Forum' started by double yellow, Oct 7, 2011.

  1. double yellow

    double yellow Road Train Member

    5,946
    10,065
    Aug 28, 2011
    State of Jefferson
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    Since I passed my DMV drive test yesterday and received my prehire letter today, I figured it was a good time to throw some public kudos to my truck school for meeting & exceeding every promise.


    Contact Info:
    NorCal Truck Driving School
    20010 Viking Way (Building A)
    Redding, CA 96003
    (530) 221-5151


    Cost:
    "4-Week" (160hr) Tuition: $3950
    $500 down, $250/month in-house payment plan available


    Equipment:
    ~1990 Kenworth 3-axle Cab-over 10-speed
    ~1993 Freightliner 2-axle Cab-over 10-speed
    ~1996 Volvo 3-axle Conventional 13-speed
    Two 28'6" trailers & dolly


    Facilities:
    Portable/trailer classroom on ~2.5 acre lot shared with repair facility


    "Dorms"
    Miscellaneous recreational vehicles & travel trailers available on-site for those with long commutes



    What attracted me to this school may put off others: It is a small (5 students in our class), relaxed, family-type business where everyone knows each other (and you). Bob, the lead instructor, had years of owner/operator experience before joining the California Highway Patrol and working commercial enforcement. I probably asked him a hundred questions and he'd always have the answer. Brenda, his wife, was often around and a big help especially explaining some of the newer stuff like qualcom & e-logs. Plus she makes a fantastic stew.:biggrin_25514:

    There were no rigid lesson plans or schedules which allowed everyone the flexibility to work at their own pace. The "4 week" class can go a bit longer for those that need more time (or if DMV is backed-up), so there probably isn't a "typical" experience -- but with that disclaimer I'll share mine.


    Week 1: The first few days were spent in the class & yard basically studying for the general knowledge, combination vehicle, & air-brake permit tests. We also had our physical & drug test. Those that passed their permit tests began to get a little seat time by doing laps on a ~1 mile-long desolate hilly road and learning how to operate the high/low range.

    Week 2: In class discussions focused on pre-trip, log books (very in-depth), and studying for the Hazmat, tanker, & doubles endorsements. Most students are now driving on the road -- I was even taking the doubles up nearby mountain roads.:yes2557: We also roll out some carpet over the gravel and get down & dirty learning how to adjust brakes, replace gland hand seals, & fix lights. It was extremely helpful (for me) to get a good, close look at all the under-body & brake parts I had been rattling off in my pre-trips.

    Week 3: The highlight of the week is a full day spent at the Cottonwood scales on I-5. Lead instructor Bob apparently was instrumental in their creation while working for CHP, and everyone on duty seems to know & love him. The class is treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of the entire facility. We even all cram down into the pits while an officer explains the process while performing an inspection on our freshly-adjusted set of doubles. All but one of us are driving on the road now.

    Week 4: Most of the class are more than ready for the DMV drive & skills tests. All but one are driving up & down the mountains of I-5 and highway 44. Pre-trips are polished, some extra time is spent parallel parking, etc. Some trucking company representatives were supposed to meet us & give presentations, but the weather somewhere forced them to cancel last minute :biggrin_2557:

    Week 5: Students begin to reach DMV drive test appointment dates (the local DMV was backed-up this month) and all that have taken it so far have passed. The one student that hadn't been let loose on the road yet (he'd never driven a stick before) begins to finally "get" the idea of rev-matching after easily 50 hours of various people trying to explain it while he practiced. He is now downshifting and on the road -- he may even pass his test on Monday (though part of me hopes he doesn't so the instructors will have another few weeks to instill how much he needs to look & plan ahead).



    My total class, observation, & driving time: 200 hours

    Driving time: 21.5 hours (on the actual road)*
    Driving distance: 555 miles*

    *Note: I could have had a lot more driving time, but I had plenty of experience towing/backing horse, car, boat, travel, & utility trailers and had spent a few years of my youth driving delivery box trucks that were just as tall & wide -- so I easily gave more than 1/2 of my seat time away to the struggling student. I figure I learned more (trying to) help him than I would have just going up & down the gears over and over or backing into the same spots...
     
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  3. stopbullshitin

    stopbullshitin Bobtail Member

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    Sep 13, 2012
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    This school is a ####### joke! The good instructors are gone now there's one that is a crazy racist working there besides that the trucks are junk and only one actually hits the road , they wont show you how to drop and hook and the dolly they have never moves for 5k I was pissed , it also take more like 8 to 9 weeks Not4 they bs you in the office when you first come in to get money out of you. I still got my cdl but what a joke
     
  4. TWynette

    TWynette Bobtail Member

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    Aug 28, 2012
    Visalia ,Ca
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    I need Help I am going next week for my DMV skills part of to get lic I need help with the engine parts and any good Ideas on nurves
     
  5. ottohof1

    ottohof1 Bobtail Member

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    Nov 3, 2012
    Redding,Ca
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    Well I have an idea who this guy is and I can only say that my experience at NORCAL Truck School has been great! Both Dave and Jodie have groomed all of us to take our CDL's with the real world approach, we have had training in everything doubles, dolly's, 53ft trailers, mountain driving, downtown driving, chaining up, coupling and un-coupling.......so I don't know where your coming from? I highly recommend NORCAL, we have 2 Volvo's a KW and a Frieghtliner cab overs which one is used to be abused by new students in the yard and the other for learning to shift, mainly the newer Volvo is used for highway time as soon as you learn not to abuse the tranny, also everyone in our school has passed their CDL the 1st time, infact the DMV examiner told the last student NORCAL was over training us, which I can't see, the more training you get get the better, also the safety factor is pushed everyday at NORCAL. So if it took you 8 to 9 weeks to get graduate from NORCAL, then all I can say is you needed the extra instruction, because they won't cut you loose if they don't think your ready. And if you are who I think you are, I can't believe your on the road? and actually are employed :)
     
  6. GRAYSOX

    GRAYSOX Bobtail Member

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    Nov 21, 2012
    0
    Great school with excellent instructors!! Instructors teach real world training and dont waste your time. Very good school.
    Tyler persoma, graduated 11/21/2012. Got hired on with swift trucking before graduation.
     
  7. ottohof1

    ottohof1 Bobtail Member

    3
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    Nov 3, 2012
    Redding,Ca
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    Go! Tyler, Good Luck buddy with Swift.
     
  8. ottohof1

    ottohof1 Bobtail Member

    3
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    Nov 3, 2012
    Redding,Ca
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    Also forgot to mention the front office, Scott was very helpful from the minute I walked into the door, sat down had a copy of my 10yr DMV readout which had 2 old violations on it and before I went out the door they had my record purged, also had me set up with financing, and that Monday I was at school studying for my endorsements......3 days later had my permit and my endorsements, tanker and doubles, did the background check with Homeland Security and went and took my Hazmat 2weeks later. So again everyone at this school instructors along with the front office is Outstanding!Also 4 pre-hire letters were sent out right away, but after research ended up going with May Trucking Comapany as did 5 others from my graduating class.:biggrin_255:
     
    Last edited: Dec 2, 2012
  9. NORCAL

    NORCAL Bobtail Member

    10
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    Dec 3, 2012
    REDDING, CA
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    Graduate Levi Nicholson-Dave and Jody are great instructors. I feel I was tought by the best. The school is very professional and understanding. Everyone wants to see you succeed so you can get working &start making money.
     
  10. NORCAL

    NORCAL Bobtail Member

    10
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    Dec 3, 2012
    REDDING, CA
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    Graduate Sam Graham 12/11/2012-I had a great experience. I felt that the staff and training was far above my expectations. The trainers do care about the success of every student and they do everything they can to make sure you are a safe and confident driver.
     
  11. Paluche

    Paluche Light Load Member

    215
    51
    May 15, 2009
    Rancho Cucamonga, CA
    0
    Looks like Norcal is doing some damage control...lol
     
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