C1 - Drivers Solutions - Indy

Discussion in 'Trucking Schools and CDL Training Forum' started by Reaper_Ramone, Apr 17, 2015.

  1. Reaper_Ramone

    Reaper_Ramone Bobtail Member

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    Apr 17, 2015
    D.C.
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    Now I'm new here but wanted to post my experience while it was fresh in my mind. I signed on with Drivers Solutions in Indy and attended C1 for my training. First off, my contact with Drivers Solutions stretched the truth in a few of his answers. I asked if running solo after orientation was an option, the response I got was "Yes, as soon as you're done orientation you can be a first seat driver". After doing some research I find out that you have to do 6 months of team driving. Now I take full responsibility for not looking into it further to find the truth, but, on the other hand, a simple "No, PAM requires 6 months of team driving" would have been a better and more honest answer. Another question that I had was is there a PAM terminal near DC, I don't want to have to go to Arkansas or another far state to get my truck. His answer was "Yes, PAM has a yard in the DC area where you can pick up or leave your truck". I have not been able to confirm this. So I go to C1 in Indy, and heres how that all went.

    First, the hotel. They had me in an Extended Stay America. The hotel was nice. If you need anything you have to ask for it. They have full size fridges, a stove, and a kitchen sink and microwave. All the staff does is make the beds, my room was never cleaned, nor my trash picked up. I'm cool with that though, the trash room was down the hall, and I'm a very clean person. I felt safe on the property, the staff was nice, and I felt OK leaving my vehicle in the parking lot. C1 is about 20 mins from the hotel, and you only have to make a couple turns and stay on Raymond Street the whole ride. That was also very convenient.

    Before Day 1 - MAKE SURE YOU HAVE YOUR PAPERWORK!!!! All forms of ID, Birth Certificate, SS Card, 2 proofs of residence. You'd be surprised how many people didn't bring what they needed. Comon, you're gonna be a truck driver and you can't have your paperwork. I'm sure a future stop is gonna look at you like you're special when you don't have shipping papers, or a D.O.T. officer is gonna love writing the tickets cause you don't have your HAZMAT paperwork in order.

    Day one of class. We started with 31 people. Practice saying "moo" a lot. I felt like cattle. They told us to be there at 6:00 AM, we had to fill out some paperwork, and then wait for our urine tests and physicals. While you're waiting you can't leave the room until you're finished with both tests. It reminded me of a couple times when I was arrested when I was young and silly, it was kind of like being in lockup. The nurse didn't come in till 9:00 AM, and everyone was done by 11:00. Now if you fail your drug test, bye bye. If you fail your physical, they'll let you know what you failed then you'll have to figure out how to pass. They sent someone to get glasses, and we had a couple blood pressure fails, which require you to see a doctor and get put on medicine, takes a week or two to get it under control, then you can come back and complete schooling. Then we got our books and went to lunch at 11:30. Got back from lunch, started on orientation and hitting the books. A trucker named Brad. He was a very good instructor, be on time, and take class seriously and you'll be fine. One thing Brad said over and over was "Protect Your License". Heed this warning, this license is your way to make money. Follow the rules, be safe, and make sure all your paperwork is in order. Also, check your local states requirements for license transfer. You have to turn in your home state license at some point to get an Indiana temporary license. In doing this I lost my motorcycle endorsement because in DC they don't transfer your M/C endorsement back unless you completed a safety course within the past 6 months. Research, research, research.....protect your license.

    Day two of class. We studied the material to take the Indiana General Knowledge, Safety, and CDL tests. Don't plan on arriving at 7:00 and leaving at 4:00 on the dot, ain't gonna happen, you need to be in class to get the knowledge, and sometimes it runs over. We were in class one day till 6:00, another till 5:00.

    Day three of class. We went over tanker and air brakes before Indiana BMV came in to give us our tests. Study, take this seriously, and you'll be fine. I think maybe 8 people passed their BMV tests on Wednesday, we got our results on Thursday, and were allowed to go to BMV to get out temp CDL. Make sure you have $34.00 for BMV. The Indiana BMV is gonna be a mind blowing experience to a lot of you. The lines aren't long, the people who work there are friendly, and it's a painless process. The BMV is about 10 mins from C1. Now remember, Thursday is the cutoff day that if you decide to leave you can walk out free and clear. After that it's $1000.00, so make up your mind and break it off, or be in for the long haul.

    Day four of class. We went over logging, it's a pain, very precise, but it's for your own good. Don't let sloppy logs be the reason that D.O.T. makes you have a bad day. We also covered map reading and plotting. Yes, you need to know how to read an old school map, might save your butt one day, technology can only go so far. The they gave people who didn't pass their Indiana tests time to go to BMV to retake what they needed. Those of us that passed worked on our pre trip inspections.

    Friday....finally Friday! People went to BMV to retake what they were missing, the rest of us studied, smoked, and drank coffee killing time. You have to stay at the school till at least 4:00 every day to fulfill your hourly requirements to complete the class.

    An overview. Keep in mind that C1, as a school has tests that you have to pass to meet THEIR criteria, then BMV has tests you must pass to meet THEIR criteria. So you have to complete all the tests to graduate. They do urine tests on Monday, but plan on them getting people and removing them from class all through the week.

    The weekend. Relax, you're gonna need it, and deserve it. But be prepared for the hotel to bang on your door to make sure you have a room mate. They're getting ready for the next batch of arrivals.

    Monday, week two. Be there at 6:45, they do roll call, and you can only miss so much class before you can't graduate, so if you're late find someone and check in. Then they decide where to put you. if you have your permit, plan on going on the street for road training. If not, plan on some range time. I got put into a truck with 3 other students and the instructor Bill. Some people didn't like Bill because he was very "by the book", and that frustrated some people. If you try and show that you're trying and learning he is an excellent teacher. It was kind of scary going on the street with no real training, but trial by fire is sometimes the best way. I laughed, I cried, I feared for my life a few times, but nobody got killed, no trucks were damaged, and no compact cars were run down. We did kill a few curbs, and someone killed a stop sign on a corner, but other then that it was good. We got to drive 45 minutes per student on the road. You'll start filling out your logs, so get your truck and trailer number. Record your miles. And fill in your hours of service areas. This will be checked every morning. When you go on the road have your log book, temp license, and 4 page medical info with you, put it on the dash so your instructor can go over it.

    Tuesday, week two. A repeat of yesterday. More road time. In the afternoon we were put on the range to practice straight line backing, offside backing, and parallel parking. Hint, turn towards you tight side. This will make prefect sense when you're behind the wheel. We spent 45 mins on the range. When doing range, just bring yourself, no need for paperwork, and the time doesn't get logged as drive time.

    Wednesday, week two. Same as the days before, but this time they take you on the highway. Stay calm, use your signals, and just roll with it. it was nice to finally get the beast up to 55 and play in traffic. Range on the afternoon.

    Thursday, week two. Repeat. Your original group might change. They try to focus on helping those that are having trouble. I was having downshifting and gear recovery problems, so I had plenty of street time. Afternoon, range.

    Friday, week two. To quote the Ramones, "Second verse, same as the last". If you are good on the range or street they will try to test you out so you complete the school side of the training. I tested out of range on Friday.

    Weekend. Yeah, you're probably pretty fragged by now, most of us were in zombie mode.

    Monday, week three. Testing. You have to test out of school requirements. I tested out of street on Tuesday, and pre trip inspection on Thursday. They have other waves of students behind you and others who are past their three weeks ahead of you so during week three things are a little chaotic. I tried for my state test on Thursday, failed, but did it again on Friday and passed with flying colors. Got my CDL and headed home. Now I'm scheduled for orientation in Arkansas with PAM. I have a long crappy bus ride ahead. If anybody has any questions hit me up.

    See Ya On The Road!

    Reaper Ramone
     
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  3. Naptown

    Naptown Road Train Member

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    Oct 18, 2009
    Indiana
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    Good write up, and welcome aboard. I went to C1 in Indy as an independant student, so I didn't have to deal with Driver Solutions and I'm glad. C1 was professional enough, but Driver Solutions struck me as shady business. It was nice having a state test site there. Walk down and take the test, easy as pie.

    The most memorable part of my experience there was the 400 lb guy ahead of me in line for the drug test. He didn't go into the little bathroom, he just unzipped right by the nurse and filled his cup there. We could hear her yelling all the way down the hall.
     
  4. Reaper_Ramone

    Reaper_Ramone Bobtail Member

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    Apr 17, 2015
    D.C.
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    Well at least they knew it was a real and fresh sample. Drivers Soloutions is shady, they tell partial truths, withhold info and never put anything in writing. If a company won't communicate with you via e mail, it's usually because they have something to hide. I have another company thats interested in me, they pay better, and actually offer what I was looking for. But I try to live an honorable life and am going with PAM to see if they conduct themselves in a more truthful fashion. I signed up, didn't do enough research, and now have to go through with it or find a way out in a good way.
     
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