First time driver who paid for their own schooling: Do you feel like you got....

I went to Jersey Tractor Trailer Training in NJ. To be more specific they are located in the Northern part of NJ. The school wasn't bad at all I only did 20hrs with them then once the 20hrs were up I had my DMV test scheduled. I did obtain my permit on my own also taking the tests for endorsements. So basically I have my Hazmat, Triples and double, and tanker. Right now I am also awaiting my Twic card its something else good to have if you are in the trucking industry. The only thing that is messing me up right now is I do not have any experience besides the experience that I received from the driving school which is making it hard to find a job. I have to say the instructors at Jersey Tractor Trailer Training are a really great group of guys. They teach you really well and make the 2 hrs that you are with them go by really fast. I had a blast attending my 20hrs with them. The only part that kind sucks is yea you have cheaper schools out there I am sure of that but I believe you pay for what you get. I paid $2200 for my driving school all out of pocket ya it seems a lot but let me tell you no legit company will let you straight off the back go driving on your own without providing you with their training and especially if you have no experience behind the wheel. Good luck in the near future!

 

Really? $2200 for 20 hrs? I paid alittle more and I'm getting 360 hours. I'm sorry, but that is just crazy. You're paying 110.00/hr.... I'm assuming you drove a truck before correct for a 20hr program..

Also, all instructors are there to do is to get you that CDL. (LOL I know, I had to). Anyways, I am paying out of pocket for my school so hopefully everything will turn out well. I start august 1st, and will be posting about it. Honestly, I didn't want to tie myself down to 1 company. Paying out of pocket was a option for me though. So I took it.

 

My dad has friend that does OTR I went with him a few times. He has an automatic volvo VNL770 I don't really remember the year but basically with that I was only able to learn how to maneuver it and just did some highway driving. He owns his truck and thank god that him and my father go way back that's the only reason why he let me get behind the wheel of his rig. My dad did OTR but isn't any longer otherwise I would have went with him a few times. I could have went with a cheaper school but decided to go with Jersey because their equipment was way better maintained then other trucking schools that I checked out and they had a schedule that would fit me. Also I had 10 2hr 1 on 1 sessions it would just be me and the instructor. Not like other trucking schools that take you out in a OTR sleeper truck with 4 other guys waiting to get a turn at the wheel. NJ is just an expensive state in general. I also drive a stick shift car so I mean shifting and throwing the gears around was cake for me. It was just a matter of a time to get use to the gear lay out and make sure you flip the toggle switch up when going from low to high and you have a little more gears plus on your DMV test you have to show them that you can double clutch. I mean for me it was quite simple I was behind the wheel on my first day once the instructor showed me the layout and took a few laps around the training site. Everyone picks things up differently just remember to pay attention and listen to everything they have to say.

 

I paid outta pocket for my schooling back in '98. Community college course. 5 weeks of book work to get the permit, 5 weeks of road and yard work to learn how to drive. PA required a minimum of 40 hours of road training before you could take your road test. And if you screwed the pre-trip (especially the airbrake test), you failed the entire road test without ever pulling out of the yard.

Went through Stevens to get my CDL back in '07 (Gave it up when it expired so I could find a local job that didn't involve driving and go back to school). 1 week of book work to get your permit, 2 weeks of driving around a local industrial park, and then off to take the TX road test. Pretrip test done on computer as multiple guess. Whole process was pretty much a joke in my opinion.

Gotta go take a refresher course so I can finally get back on the road, now that all the home problems have been dealt with. We'll see how that goes.

I just might be one of the most over-trained drivers on the road!

 

Just got my CDL with training from a local school. Paid out of pocket. They did try to move us through as quickly as possible, but at the same time they gave us good advice about what to expect in the real trucking world. They are all experienced truckers, and instilled in us the importance of acting professional during training, so that we would be prepared to be professional when we get a job.

If you go this route and feel you are not getting your money's worth, or they are missing something that you think you should be getting taught, you should speak up. I did have to remind my instructors about some things (log books) that I still needed to learn, just because they were juggling several people who were at different levels. All you should have to do is ask for what you signed up to be taught. I'll be going back to learn log books and get my haz-mat endorsement, and then they will have fullfilled their obligations and I will be completely satisfied that my money was well spent.

For your part, as a student, you should prepare to be on time each day, and ready to participate in whatever training is scheduled. Accept that sometimes the schedule will change. That's what happens in the real world, so might as well get used to it.

 

Paid for mine through a local school. FWIW, there is only so much these schools can do given the money they charge you. For any of you folks who feel "ripped off" - none of this is cheap.

The schools serve a purpose... get you enough experience to make it through the state driving test so you can take the training wheels off of your CDL. Its up to the first company you drive for to finish the job and turn you into a driver. So pick that one well.

Did I get my money's worth? Yeah... I got my CDL on the first try.

 

I got riped off royal and was exposed to Carbon Monoxide poisioning.Thanks OTC-TTI and discrimated against because{ I am female and wanted to learn drive Semi.}They jumped at offer of few thosand dollars to school/fees.Women and yes few men I seen there where belittled and picked on/bullied.They had 2 of 4 students drop of class in first week recently.I called them and asked "If I retake test with another/private company can get my school paperwork/certificate???NO she said we want $$$$$ plenty of money and retest in truck that was worked on twice/exhast fumes into cab causing carbon monixiode poisioning.HUH I would rather not.......I paid money ,took abuse reported it paid own doctor & emergency room bills blood work,chest exrays (list goes on & on) and They think I'm stupid enough to give them more money??????Again stay away ladys or really anyone from OTC-TTI they only have select few decent trainers and orthers can drive semi without smashing fender in or driving down highway(In OTC TTI semi) without seatbelt on and than dumb enoughto get pic posted online.Sorry bout rant Its an effect of long term carbon monoxide exposure.........

 

Ok, so here is what I took from this.

Your a female who got discriminated against at OTC TTI (Community College?), and also got exposed to carbon monoxide poisoning. You paid for the emergency room, doctor visit, blood work, etc etc out of pocket. However, you want to put YOURSELF back into that situation for the retest? I understand you spent money, FULLY understand that, but I'd request a refund or you will report their school. You have test to prove that you had carbon monoxide poisoning, and if they worked on the truck or haven't fixed that problem yet then they can get in serious trouble.

Or I just completely missed everything you said. Which I might have. Haha

 

Just got my CDL today with all endorsements. I went to a Community College 160 hours 1 week of classroom all dedicated to passing the writtens and endorsements.Then 3 weeks of driving. The class size is a max. of 6 with 2 instructors,

Any training program is set up for you to pass the state exam .Thats there job and my school did it very well. Am I ready for OTR? Nope, That you get with your first job and hopefully they do it to polish off all that you have learned at school.

I paid $3800 for the program, It was steep but definately worth it. I passed all my endorsements with 100% scores and nailed the driving test too. The price is high for sure but when we went to the DMV and saw all the other wannabees from a cdl mill failing one after the other ,then I know I got my moneys worth.

I chose to pay for my own school vs. a starter company training me and then beholden to them for a year or more to pay it back. Paying for a school on your own will give you an out if you choose the wrong company.

Good luck in your search but be carefull who you choose, I was very careful and this website along with the great advice from the drivers here helped alot. Thanks All !