First a little about me....I just retired from the navy after just over 21 years. Now I'm looking into getting driving for a living . I have found two driving schools in my area that I'm looking at, my trouble is I don't know one from the other so I'm hoping someone on here can help me out. The schools' are National Transport Driving School out Spokane, WA and the other is Western Pacific Truck School out of Everett.

Any help I can get will sure be appreciated. Hoping to go to one in teh next few weeks.

Rick

I to have been looking into schools in my area (Missouri) and all I can tell you is review the schools websites and give them a call to get a more accurate detail about the training but also look to see if the courses they offer are PTDI (Professional Truck Driver Institute) certified courses. Some schools will offer financing and researching this web site will help alot also. I have learned quite a bit from this website and I hope to start school in the next thirty days.
A couple of questions you might want to ask the school is 1. how many students are in a class. The fewer the better and 2. ask about the amount of hours you will actually have in the driver seat. Some might say 40 hours but 25 of that might be observation and not actual driving for 40 hours. Im pretty much where u are right now so this is really all the info I have to offer I hope it helps. Research several before deciding or maybe you might want to consider company sponsored training, either way......good luck.

I have been down to Everett a couple of times over the past couple of days talking with both schools. I have found out that National Transport Driving School is actually Swift owned and what I have read on here, it's the driving company to stay away from. I also talked with Western Pacific Driving School and it's looking like I will be starting school on the 28th. I did ask about the classroom vs field hours....40 classroom hours and 120 field hours. The school is pretty expensive BUT hopefully I can make it back teh first year then some.

Good luck on your hunt.

Rick

When we were looking at driving schools, we decided on Western Pacific down here, same company. I'm happy with what they had to offer and what training they provided. You can feel happy with your choice.

well I finally graduated school yesterday. I started out having some troubles with 45 degree backing and shifting correctly but finally got it, my best 45 degree parking was yesterday during the DOL testing.It was a good school no complaints at all.

Now I need to call TWT-systems for my start date . I have been really thinking of flatbed.

Looking for to starting this career