The New FFE Driver Academey

Starting with August 6. class. Only 21 years old. Never been inside a truck before but ready for a new career. I was working part time at the Burger King making no money.

 

Read all 280 pages of this thread.

Alot of good info here.

 

congrats. its a huge step.

 

Start studying the Texas CDL Manuel now. You can get one for free at any DPS office or online. The online one is the 2008 version and the book from DPS is 2010 version. There really isn't a difference in the two. I would study chapters 2, 3, 5, 6, 11, and 14. Those are the main chapters to study, but I would at least look over the other chapters. Some of the questions on the DPS exams seem to pull questions from some of the other chapters.

In order to get your permit you only need to pass the Permits and Combination Test. That will allow you to be issued your CDL permit. In order to be able to take the driving test at DPS, you need to pass the General Knowledge, Air Brakes, and Pre-Trip. The questions on the test can be worded kinda weird, so make sure to read the question and answers and re-read them if you need to. In order to pass the test you need a 70% on Permits and 80% on the rest. If you studied and did the homework the first couple days of the school, you will do fine.

You will need to pass all five test at the DPS either on Wednesday if you can. If not, they will take you back to DPS to take the ones you missed. They might also take you back a third time if needed, but keep in mind that the school is designed where the student passed 4 out 5 test or all 5 on Wednesday because on the next day, you will be in the trucks learning how to back the trucks.

 

Congrats. Feels good knowing that you have some kind paycheck coming in now don't it?

 

great advise but since you live in texas id recommend passing ALL those tests BEFORE YOU GET TO THE ACADEMY. that way you don't have to be there until thursday of the first week and the stress level will drop big time. either way the cost is out of pocket. this website has some pretty good practice tests that are free, well i mean they worked for me at least.

 

Since he already has a class date set up; might be to late to do that. As for practice test for the cdl. I used this site and so did some of the other guys in my class.

 

Yes, it sure does! Just got assigned to a trainer. Meeting up with trainer on sunday.

 

Thanks for the link to the website. Goodstuff. Quick question for recent FFE grads. Did everyone have a voided check for direct deposit? I had some issues in the past and can not open a checking account right now. The bank I talked to today said they would only let me open a savings account. Does FFE still do paper checks?

 

Once you have graduated the Academy and during the orientantion in Lancaster, they will have a Well Fargo person there to open accounts for people that don't have bank accounts. If you do open your own savings account at the bank you talked to, get the bank to give a direct deposit form. That will work in place of a voided check. I think they will do a paper check, but you would have to either have them mail it to your house or pick it up in Lancaster. Once you graduate the academy, talk to Ed at the MCM Grande hotel (that is where orientantion is done) and he can help you out with all the answers you need for that.