Decisions

Good evening everyone. I think I've settled on a school for my CDL, Safe Drivers Institute of America here in Indianapolis. Does anyone have any experience with them? If so, what did you think about their program? I am leaning towards them as they train on manuals, they certify you for hazardous materials so you just have to pass fed background, and they prepare you for testing on tanker as well as doubles/triples. I'll be using my GI Bill for the program so no out of pocket other than licensing/testing state fees of $138.
I debated for a while over whether having a company pay for training would be better or not and settled with using my GI Bill as I have researched and learned it doesn't use much of my benefits and I should be able to get a better gig out of the gate. I appreciate any feedback anyone might have and would like to thank everyone here for the feedback my recent post got as well. Thanks.

 

Good luck with whatever life throws at you, and thank you for your service.

 

Thank you, I enjoyed serving.

 

If the CDL school does what they say it sounds like an above average school. Make sure you get Doubles/Triples (one endorsement) and Tanker. Tanker is required for sertain freight that can be carried inside dry van, reefer, or on flatbed trailers. Tanker is NOT just for pulling a liquid tanker trailer. BTW, tanker is a much better part of the industry than dry van and reefer, where most customers treat you like number 389 at the Dept of Motor Vehicles, at best. Tanker customers treat you like a human being and understand you are a professional. Get your HazMat, and if you are getting HazMat you might as well get your TWIC card. A few customers, ports, railyard, higher security places may require a TWIC card. If you get HazMat and TWIC at the same time you get like a $30 discount since they will use the same background check for one of them for both.

CDL school is essentially for ONLY passing the state exam. You will learn the 90% of the knowledge needed for this job when you ride with your trainer at your first employer. That could be sharing a truck for 6-8 weeks. ANY CDL school or even community colleges and vocational training schools will not teach you about customers, their procedures, and the paperwork in trucking since they are not taking you to any customers. The school you mentioned sounds above average. Thank you for your service.

 

I vote you follow his advice.

 

@sempergumby6105 --

Wow!

If your chosen school in Indy does as described--it sounds/reads like a much better than average place to get a CDL.

You're correct--getting the CDL on your own will level the playing field for when you start looking for work--thus, you're not obligated to any particular carrier for any length of time.

tscottme offered some good advice above--most all the better-paying gigs will require those endorsements--so you may as well get them early in the game. Later, when looking for employment (and beyond), they will be door-openers and money-makers!

Also...as a Schneider veteran....if you later decide to go tanker....I recommend that you start out elsewhere in tanker, besides Schneider.

You can do better.

Keep us posted on your progress.

--Lual

 

Much much better than company paid training. As far as quality of school goes in the end it’s about you not the school. As long as its 160 hour course thats all that matters

 

How long ago did you serve? Did you do any driving in the service? What was your MOS?

The reason I ask is that there is a possibility you won't require school. Check to see if you qualify: Military CDL Skills Waiver Program

I acquired my CDL in TX this way. Why pay for a school that isn't going to teach you anything you didn't already learn driving for Uncle Sam?

If you qualify based upon the above and can obtain the letter from your last Commanding Officer (basically mail the letter to him with the information the state need as if he wrote it with another asking him to sign it, its easier this way), then study for the written exams (including all endorsements). Pay the money, test out, present the documentations, have the performance exam and ELDT waived, and walk back out as a fully-licensed driver.

Then take a copy of that letter with you to apply for companies that require 1 year of experience. Trust me, they are out there. Skip the CDL mills, skip living in a truck with a "trainer," and skip the low rookie pay. Save that MGIB for when you really want something expensive, like a Bachelor's Degree.

 

⚠️⚠️⚠️ Make sure the school you want to go to is on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry. If not they will not recognize your CDL. Training Provider Registry