whats the best truck driving school in the USA

I highly suggest a tech. school. The one I attended was TDDS Tech. Institute in Lake Milton,OH. A friend of mine (who is now my husband) talked me into trucking. I was the only woman in my class, but from the very beginning I was treated with respect. The class was 20 weeks long, twice a week, eight hours per day. I took this class so I could qualify for a student loan. 12 weeks were in the classroom studying everything you can imagine,from general knowledge,log books, hazmat, map reading(you will need this-don't always rely on GPS), pre trip inspections,how to load and secure freight, etc. The last 8 weeks were spent in the truck, learning to back, dock, and drive on the open road and city traffic. Plus many recruiters came to the school with job offers. On my last day of class I, along with two other classmates, drove to Erie, Pa. for our CDL test. I was very nervous, but passed with flying colors. When I got back to school, the instructor gave me my graduation certificate, and told me that I had graduated 1st in my class. When you attend a good school, pay attention. I GUARANTEE that at some point while you are out on the road you will use everything that they taught you.

 

Was driving with my instructor and making a right turn into a light comm/residential area. (First time doing this)
Was told to push the "4 wheeler" back. Got all sorts of flustered and well I was not doing very good and I pulled the trailer wheels on the curb.
My instructor pulls the trailer and tractor brake valve right there!

Is this a normal thing to do to a student in a so called "Learning Moment"?

Just wondering!

 

All due respect....the best school i ever found ,THE SCHOOL OF HARD KNOX! trail an error, nobodys perfect, they just want your money...you can do it yourself....read the book find someone with a truck, let them teach you...the schools dont teach you everything....just my opionon

 

I tend to agree with you Dino,as that is how I started 7 years ago.,however,when I think back on things that could have happened,but didn't,-I dunno....And 3-$5000 for school?- As I am writing this,I REALLY DUNNO,Glad I"m out here as I am..Well,you know,-kinda..

 

Gonna drop my 2 cents in here. 1. No school is gonna teach you all the things you need to know. Don't care where they are. 2. Driving a truck is one of the few professions left where "experience" counts. No ifs ands or buts. 3. I believed years ago and still do that schools certified by the PTDI (Professional Truck Drivers Institute) are the best schools of choice. 4. Schools associated with technical colleges usually score the highest with carriers. 5. I believed when I started driving and still believe that smaller carriers are better to work for. Yeah yeah I know. they require two years experience. Not all of'em. If you look hard enough and pay attention you can find them. 6. The employment door in mega carriers is forever revolving. There's as many go out the back door as there is coming thru the front door. 7. Small carriers tend to be easier to get along with and have more patience, the problem too many "newbies" want everything off the top. Max pay, max benefits,max miles, max truck etc etc. Wrong! See # 2 above. You gotta check out a driving school just like they are gonna check you out. Get the most for your money.

 

I believe that the instuctors have alot to do with the quality of the school.

'nuff said !!!!

 

hi, i was reading your post here and i thought i would ask you how do you go about becoming a truck driver? i live in paducah kentucky, and i have not had much luck finding the right answers. i do not have any class of license yet, i did speak with a driver from U.S. Express Trucking, and he directed me to your forum. i'm just trying to figure out where to go, and get my foot in the door somewhere, i have been interested in doing this for a long time. the driver told me that there is financial aid assistance to first time drivers, how do i apply? any information you may have would be very helpful, this is my first time to this site, i will check back, again..thanks for your time
...Scott

 

Unless things have changed,

you only need about 2 years experience to become a driving school instructor.

How's THAT make you feel ????