School in Twin Cities Area?

I did a fair amount of research on trucking schools in the area, and I think you made a wise decision.

I, too, start with that school next week. Weekday classes, although.

 

I've been researching for the last 2 months, and I've come to the conclusion that HMTT is the best way to go....(for me anyway)
I'm able to come up with the $3200, and I have solid work history for the last 15-20yrs.

Since we have to pay for the schooling up front, I don't think we'll be required to sign any crappy long term contracts, and we'll have our choice of several different companies to start with. Because in order to get accepted to HMTT, we have to be "Pre-Hired" by one of the many trucking companies that HMTT works with.

I figure we'll have to start at the bottom making low wages, but since we won't be obligated to sign a long term contract, we can start looking for better paying gigs right away.

 

Good Luck man. I'm enrolled same school for June but M-F.
Curious what your thoughts are so far?
I heard all schools have a decent amount of "stand-around" time
for behind the wheel!

 

I wasn't too impressed with the school....
They sell you on 160hrs of truck training, but the school is only 3wks long at 40hrs per week, so it's really only 120hrs at the most... Lots of stand-around time.
You wont drive a truck til Thursday of your first week, and you'll only get about 1/2hr....."Straight-line backing"

First week students will spend most of their time in the classroom.
You'll watch videos and study on everything you already needed to know to get your permit...but pay attention because you will take a test everyday.

Second week and 3rd week students get about 1-1/2 hrs per day in the truck, and about 3hrs per day in the class room learning things you probably already know.
Be prepared to stand around for about 2-3 hrs per day.....NO JOKE!
Most of your driving time will be spent inside their yard where you will mostly work on "Backing" and "Shifting"

The instructors are good, but the classes are too full. There will be about 30 students divided between 1st, 2nd and 3rd week classes, With only 6 trucks available to learn on.

They give you plenty of time to learn the "Pre-trip inspection", which you need to know to graduate, and you will be tested on at the DMV in order to get your CDL, but that does get boring after a couple days. But don't get too bored with it because 1/2 of the people in my class failed that part....TAKE IT SERIOUSLY and go over it at least once per day.

Overall the school could've been better. I did get frustrated with all the time standing around, but keep in mind that when you finish, you will get a truck training certificate, and a pretty good chance of getting a job when you finish.

Also, pack a lunch. There really isn't anything close by.
Good luck!

 

Great info--THANKS!

 

Check out the school in Eau Claire, WI. Chippawa Valley Tech. School ( right off I-94)
Class size is 14 students, 8 instructors, 12 weeks, they also have the skid pad.
There is no standing around time at that school, every student has a truck, class was only $2400.00 worth every penny.
Don't pick one of them fly by night driving schools that just take your money, there are alot of them out there............

 

I enrolled at Heavy Metal Truck Training in Inver Grove Heights.