Hi Everyone -

I'm just learning about the trucking industry and I'm trying to decide between two schools here in Livonia, Michigan. One is called Nu Way and one is called Integrity. Both vary in cost, length, etc... Has anyone out there got any experience with either of these schools? Can you give me any advice on what to look for/look out for in choosing a school? Please feel free to forward this post to anyone who might be able to help me. Thank you in advance!

WELCOME to the FORUM!

Hi cbhillier,

I'm looking into maybe becoming a trucker myself. Here is some good info: http://www.truckschoolsusa.com/Guide.htm

Personally, I'd go with an accredited votec facility/community college, but that's mainly because I'm chicken: I can't imagine getting into real life OTR training after only 40-45 hours driving instructions (which is what you'll get at the CDL mills - if even that much).

Good luck and keep us posted!

anyone here anything good or bad about Roadmaster training? $6400....kinda over the top I think or is it?

I went to Roadmaster a few months ago, I got my cdl, so I got what I paid for. The class was 3 weeks and went by pretty quick. As far as the cost, I don't think any of the schools are fair, they are all too expensive. If you have time, I would go thru a local community college, usually an 8 week course but the cost is alot less, I have heard $1800-$3200. good luck.

C1 Truck Driver Training in Indianapolis charges $3,995 for people paying cash. To finance it costs $5,995. I'd call them as I know 3 guys who have gone throight that school.

They train drivers for Drivers Solutions, which does sponsorship training for PAM and USA.

Their sponsorship recruiting(Pam/USA pay – you sigh contract – Driver Solutions) is separate from their independent recruiting(you pay, no contract, better job.) The training is exactly the same though.

Just graduated from Integrity truck driving school in Livonia, MI. As far as independent schools go, this one was good. Had a 3 or 4 to 1 student/trainer ratio. Each trainer has 2 trucks to use: in one he takes out students on the road ONE AT A TIME. the other 2-3 students use the second truck to practice yard maneuvers in a safe area. Most schools 4-5 guys pile in a truck and take turns driving one at a time. At Integrity, their set-up allows you more time behind the wheel, and you don't have other students making comments while another student is driving on the road. Good school, but I imagine the community college course is still the better overall choice.

BTW, the cost was about $4,500 for a 160 hr. course. Not bad for a school in a major metro area.

Check out the website [LINK POSTED BY MEMBER] Only Members Can View This Truck Forum Link. . I believe their reasonable with their prices. I thinks it is $1,400.00. First payment $295.00 second payment $900.00 with the remainder paid in full by the third week. Not bad, a price i'm sure anyone can afford. The training is like 4 weeks long.

I am currently going through roadmasters in Tulsa,OK.I started this past Monday 11-2-2009.I got to take my permit test in the morning,hope it all goes well.I think I am ready for it.Our site director has said he will take our class out to lunch if we all pass and get our permits.There is only 10 peoplein our class.Aonly about 30 going to school right now in the other classes.classes start every Monday morning.Monday through Thursday,Friday if necessary or for extra training or practice.Also night and weekend classes.7am till 6pm.about an hour for lunch.
The first 2 days was alot of classroom and study materials and alot of homework.first rattle out of the box was some paperwork for the school and then off for DOT physicals and drug test.Our instructor is very thorough and makes it interesting.He has 20 something years as a driver and owns his own truck and leases it to a company and pays a driver to drive it.They also have a computer room with 8 computers in it and we have to do 22 e-tread lessons on it.Mainly watching a video and answering a question at the end of each section.they pretty much supply everything you need as far as study material and state manual.the only thing i dont like so far is the hard plastic folding chairs with no pading!!LOl
i also am paying the same amount and had to put $250.00 down.Everyone is different from what i can tell depending on your credit.I live about 1 1/2 hurs from Tulsa so they have out me in the Ramada,which is a older motel,but it is quiet and i no roomates.King size pillowtop also.
Had TMC come in yesterday and they bought us lunch,Pizza.Roadmaster also gives you applications to fill out.Tulsa Roadmasters seems to really puch TMC,Stevens,Warner and Swift.More TMC and Warner it seems.
All the instructors in Tulsa are very nice and pretty polite.And so are the office help.
I will admit that this Tulsa Campus is new and a temporary site.They are looking for a new site with a paved driving pad,ours is dirt here.But other than that i really like it so far.No question is a dumb question and there is plenty of one on one from our instructor.
Thats all I can think of for now,if you have any other questions on roadmasters,i will try to answer all I can.At least from my brief experience so far in tulsa.