Going to Prime

I did not have a problem with the school. I was expecting that wherever I went. My problem was when they told me that I had to surrender my Class A CDL with passenger, hazmat and tanker endorsements, then they would "consider" me. After I did that, if they accepted my application, then I would be able to attent their school and buy a permit, eventually buy back my license, and I assume pay the whole hazmat again.

That is not the policy of most major companies. None of the other "major" companies that I talked to. Again, I was fine with school. Just saw no reason to surrender license, just to buy it back. And when someone says that, and can provide no reasonable explanation for the policy, that makes me question their judgment in general.

IP
If you can explain that, I really would like to understand it.

 

Well that certainly is strange. My remarks were directed at the concept of going back through a refresher course. I'd never heard of the "you must surrender your license first" routine before. No idea what's up with that dude.

 

I used to train drivers at Werner and there was no $1500 refresher course. If you had a cdl but couldnt verify experience you had to drive with a trainer for awhile. I know Prime is a good company but that is a ripoff. Here at Maverick if you dont have verifiable experience we dont charge a refresher fee,hell we even train box drivers to secure loads in a week long class,providing lunch and room and a check before getting on a trainer truck without a fee.

 

If you've been away from driving for long enough, they want you to take the refresher course - and like all vocational school its not free. Drivers with recent verifiable experience can either walk right into a truck, or may need some time with a trainer just to be sure.

And no... its not a ripoff. Its called making sure that the goob you just hired who ran the roads 20 years ago still knows how to do it.

 

The $1500 fee i paid was to a local CDL school. I had not driven a truck in 8 years. Was doing my other job PLC programming but could not find anymore work. All the companies I spoke with required a refresher course in oder to be considered.

 

Just a dumb thought but if you go out with a trainer why would that not be considered a refresher? Just seems to make more sense.

 

It just depends on how long you've been away for it - and the insurance companies are setting the requirements...

 

I went to prime as a cdl student, With just my permit, Got a cdl instructor, took my road test passed fiirst time... You will see alot of student drivers on test pad day... failing the backing. pre trip or road test... fail it twice they send u back to home state to try to get cdl on your own...I had a ticket from mass from 96 i never paid, So I paid it, I got cdl and didnt go back as i was offered a job in home state, I was never charged the school tuition cause I tecnically didnt get my cdl through prime.. I called to see about going back and my recruiter told me all i would have to do is go to pittston or slc and just take a road test with a trainer to make sure i could still stay between the lines and then spit me out on the road with a trainer for my 40-50k... I was at prime in May 2009 and she told me this in feb of 2011.. Im just waiting for my hazmat to get put on cdl in the next 3 weeks and then im gonna apply to prime tanker division.

 

How long ago did you do the refresher course, out of curiosity? I've been off the road about 3 1/2 years now. I feel it calling me back, and already know that I won't just be able to jump back into a truck.

 

About a year ago. Prime requires 6 months experience in the last year. I had not driven a truck for 8 years hence the requirement for the course.

Good luck