I made a mistake and need help/advise PLEASE

I would go to an orientation with a big company like swift, jb hunt, someone like that. They will send u out with someone as a new driver anyways who will teach u how to drive. As long as you have your cdl just go for it. You get a few weeks in with a trainer at a company and you will be fine. Good luck

 

But he doesn't know how to shift gears. He's got to at least be able to pass a basic road test and have a grasp on backing in orientation.

OP, I'm sorry you're stuck in this position. I went to a 3 week mill school and got more out of it than what you got. Maybe you can do a refresher elsewhere to get to where you feel you should be before starting with a company.

 

or transam that runs all automatics

 

i will threaten the scholl into giving me my money back or i will call the state and expose their practices.i live in pa and penndot have their own cdl examiners so if you saying you didnt learn how to change gears im thinking so is everybody else in that school and you all will fail if tested by a state official proving that the school is not qualified.dont go to oriontation till you're confident enough,one mistake on your first year can end your driving career,can even end your life.and dont drive for an all automatic company:what happen if you get fired or wanna move to a better job?

 

I thought that if you tested in an automatic then it would be noted on your license. Maybe that varies by state???

 

Can't you teach yourself to shift? The DMV book should cover it. I taught myself during the permit period. The instructor just reinforced what I already knew.

 

At the school I am attending, there is a guy from TX that said the reason why he is attending our school is for this reason. He said trucking companies are becoming aware that the CDL schools in TX not training the students properly. Some companies are refusing to hire students from TX. That's why he ended up in WA state. Not sure why he didn't go to school in OK or LA or some place closer. Guess I am going to have to ask him. Don't know how true it is, but reading the OP experience, this may be true. The school is letting the student stay at the school in a back room, the office manager takes him to his gym after school to shower, gave him a set of keys to the building, so, he can run and get food, do laundry, ect. at night.

 

Most of us when we got our CDL could barely do the things that you can't do. You have the license and that is all the school would have taught you anyway. The money you spent was wasted. Do you feel it was defrauded out of you? What promises were made? If they call them selves a school then there is some promise to teach. If they didn't sue them. File a claim in small claims court. Tell your case to the judge. Ask for the maximum as you also lost time. I would call the Attorney General's office in your state before you file and explain to them what you are doing and why. They might even help.

Once you have done that, apply at all the truck companies that have schools. You do not need to go through their schools as you have your CDL but you need to be with a company that will take the time to train you how to drive. Be prepare to work for what we call the bottom feeders. Even CR England would workout okay for you. You have been burned once. Let that be the only time.

Do sue. It will let you see that in this country everyone has the right to use the legal system to right a wrong. By standing up for yourself you stand up for all of us. Join OOIDA and ask them for help also.

Good luck and know that not all schools are rip off joins.

 

Its ok, you can now become a trainer @ werner or a mentor at swift…...