Refresher Course?

although in some way i'd like to agree with you.....i cannot.....

i have seen countless (former) drivers or drivers out of a truck for as little as one year, get turned down by LOCAL companies, NOT JUST mega-carriers....

its sad, but "it's the way it is", unless you KNOW someone and had known that someone for a whole lotta years too.....

my former school employer, was (back then) charging $1,000 for a one week (40 hours worth) of re-fresher training. all they did (the school) was provide yard time and road time for the re-fresher and a "certificate of completion"........sad FACT though.....??

because of the economy.......some of those "re-fresher people".....???

still couldn't find work.....one of whom I KNOW, works as a "parts driver", driving a mini pick up (ford ranger) truck mind you, for $8.00 per hour at the local AutoZone.......

now ain't that stupid.....????? a thousand dollars to earn $8.00 per hour..!!

at my "new" school employer, we do not have a re-fresher course per se, (as we do not advertise or push it) but we do take people in that want a re-fresher, and charge them a nominal fee, much less than the other school......but all they get is a receipt that say's "re-fresher training"......no certificate yet, but one will be available soon, as the owner is thinking about expanding on this extra income.

 

Wargames: Might find myself in the situation you've described further on down the road (ugh).
Anyway; I know of a driver w/ approx 35 yrs exp. He dropped out for 3 years, then found himself in the "retrain requirement" situation.
He ended up making a request to someone (in safety I believe). The request was; if his trainer approves him early to drive solo, the company would ok him a truck. I think he got the agreement w/ a 2 week re training minimum out of a potential 2 full months.
Needless to say, after 2 weeks the trainer recommended he drive solo, ... & he drove solo.
Also, he has a lot of years exp, impeccable driving record, well spoken & is a very likeable person.
Don't know if this helps us, ... sure did help him though.

 

I agree, I called a school close to where I live just to see what they charge and a refresher was $1700. WOW! There aint not way I would go back to a truck driving school. If you got atleast 2 yrs OTR, being out of a truck anywhere from 1-5 years should not be such a big deal. You learn a lot of more on your own than you do in a school.

 

Say I were to take,,,-6 monnths off,-this refresher thing WOULD BE a requirement??

 

For many company's it would be a requirement, yes.
This is mostly due to insurance rules. I drove local for many years and when I decided to go OTR again I had to pay for one.
With enough experience verified you can find company's that offer free refresher training though. My current company is doing this again. It is like 2 weeks and you are back on your own.
Have to have at least 2 years experience in the last 3 to qualify though, I think that is the cut off they give at least.

 

Heartland Express has something on their website about refresher courses for driver's who have experience in the last 7 years. I saw on New Century's website that their requirements are you have to have atleast 2 yrs OTR in the past 5 years, most companies are 3 yrs. That is a plus.

 

started driving in 1975 quit 2010,last ticket i had was in 93 no accidents, they told me you have enough experience you won't need a refresher. my grand kids want me to go back trucking for the money.