Attn: Future Students in Sacramento, CA......

Stay away from Truck Nation School. They are the absolute worst.

A little about me. I had a CDL from 1996 to 2002. I hauled cars. In 2002 I accepted a job that did not require me to hold a CDL so I foolishly let it go. That was my first mistake. Well the field of work I was in took a dive so I decided to get my CDL back and go back out on the road.

I scoured the Internet looking for the fastest and cheapest school out there. That was my second mistake. I came across Truck Nation and got hooked in by their "Internet Special" and a nice discount if I paid in full. I signed up in Sept for all endorsements and really thought I would be back on the road within weeks.

My first day of class was on Monday. They put me in a room and had me watch some outdated DVD's that skipped constantly. I suffered through all 7 hours of video. Day 2 they put me back in the same room and told me to read my CDL book from DMV. Ok, no problem. I'll read through it. 20 mins into my reading they send two new guys in to watch the videos I had watch the day before. I asked if there was somewhere else I could go. They said no. I was still new and didn't want to stir up dust so there I sat.

Day 3 and 4 were spent in the same room reading the handbook and taking practice tests. At the end of day four I took my drug test and got my DOT physical so I could get my med card and take my permit test. On Friday, day 5, I took my permit test first thing in the morning. Aced them all. I went back to the school and was put back in the class to "study" some more. Ok, I get that I'm new and I had explained that I held a CDL in the past and just wanted to learn all the new skills they make you do now. I was told this is just the way it is. Mind you at this point I still have not talked to or met an instructor. They've been outside with the guys practicing there skills.

On Wednesday (day 8 of actual class time) I was allowed to sit outside and "watch" the other students practice their skills. On Friday (day 10) I finally met one of the instructors. He handed me a pack of papers with all the items listed for passing the pretrip and what to say during my air test. I explained that I read the DMV handbook and that I was a driver in the past and that I already knew all that stuff. Kinda like riding a bike for me. I didn't forget, just had to freshen up on the pressure for cut in, cut out, static, applied leakage, low air warning and pop out. He til me I wouldn't be able to get in the truck until the following week.

The following week came and I think I got 2 tries in the truck. In 96 I didn't have to do alley dock or parallel park so I wanted to practice, practice, practice! Week 4 came and I got more time in. By the end of the week I had it down so I was scheduled to test on Dec 3 along with 4 other guys that day. I had a 7:30 test time.

Dec 3 came. I got to the DMV just before 7. No instructor, no truck. 7:15 came and still no truck. 7:30 came and still no truck. DMV informed me I had 15 more minutes or they would cancel me. I called the school, no answer. At 7:45 my appointment had been canceled. I was pretty hot. My phone rang at 8am. I answered. It was the instructor informing me that the starter was out and all tests were cancelled. Yeah? No kidding. I kinda figured that one out. He told me he'd get it fixed and reschedule me for another day. Do I have a choice? I got a call later that afternoon and was told my test was scheduled for Dec 20.

I spent the next 2 weeks practicing my skills, pretrip and air test. On Dec 19 I showed up for class and the truck was parked in the shop with a sign on it that said "Broke down. Tranny out. I asked what was up and was told that my test had to be postponed until Dec 24. Christmas eve? Ok I thought. That'd be a good Xmas gift. I went home and didn't come back the rest of the week. On Dec 24 I'm scheduled to test at 9am. I show up at the DMV at 8:15. No truck but I wasn't worried. I was a bit early. I checked in and waited. At 8:50 I got a call and was told that the truck was still broke and my test would have to be postponed again. Now I'm upset but I'm maintaining a good attitude. Stuff happens, right? I go home, enjoy my holiday. I'm not going to let this get me down.

After new years I get a call from the main office and they inform me that I have a test date for Jan 7 at 9am. I ask if it's really going to happen. The office lady says yes and assures me the truck is fixed. Jan 7 comes and I'm at the DMV when I should be there. Hey, the truck is there. There was a guy testing before me but he couldn't test. Wanna guess why? No rating tag on the trailer. Yep, my test has been postponed again. They rescheduled me for Friday Jan 18 at 1pm. I called and made some noise but technically they haven't done anything but wasted my time. I threatened to sue for my tuition back but my contract states they have 6 months to get me licensed so I'm pretty screwed until then.


Ill just mention that the two instructors are good guys. It's the company that is screwed up. No backup plan at all. The two instructors haven't even been paid in 3 weeks and they're still showing up to do their jobs. Good guys. I'd have been out of there a long time ago if it was me.

My 3rd mistake.....not reading any reviews on these clowns. They have an F rating with BBB and not too many good reviews. I guess it could be worse. I could have went to CR England like I had planned before finding this forum! Haha. I'm really crossing my fingers and hope everything works out for me on Friday. I interviewed with Schneider today and got a conditional job offer. I just need to get my CDL so I can start the next step with them.

Thanks for reading! Wish me luck, say a prayer or ignore this altogether. I just wanted to get this out there. If I stop one person from going there my mission is accomplished! If and when I get signed on with Schneider I plan on documenting my experience from orientation to being assigned a truck! Until then you all tread lightly!!

 

I've tried that. They just don't care. I didn't mention it but there are 9 other guys who have been getting screwed around just like me. I'm thinking about renting my own truck and sending them the bill if they postpone me one more time.

 

I talked to a few companies and everyone wants 1-3 years of recent experience. It's a shame that my history is a show stopper because I really wanted to get back into car hauling. I don't know how it is now but back then it was really good money. I ran 11 western and was home just about every weekend.

 

You make a good point. If they don't. One through tomorrow I will contact an attorney. I wonder if I can get lost wages from my original test date to present?

 

TDA has a nice road truck. I saw them out At the DMV yesterday. Good luck with your schooling!!