The $350 CDL in 3 days

This brings up good point. I believe that these larger companies that take on new drivers all the time expect that driver to know how to drive before they get into the truck. It's also an insurance issue.

But I agree that alot of these schools are a rip off but I also believe that some of these companies driver training programs are a joke too.

I believe the schools are not teaching all they can and I believe that the companies trust the schools too much. That's why we have the problems we do.

Here's my idea,

Require by the FMCSA that every company have a safety program that will include training new drivers. Require that driver trainers must have a clean record and so many years of driving like 10 years. Set specfic requirements for the driver trainer so the new driver is safe before he's turned lose by himself. Hold periodic inspections on the company to ensure their program is working.

Mandate a new endorsement on the CDL for "Driver Trainer". This is where the driver must provide proof that he has so many years and no violations. The companies should pay the driver trainer extra all the time and just not when he's training. There's two incentives for a driver to become a driver trainer. 1. he's paid more and 2. with an endorsement like driver trainer that driver would be in demand since he's already proved his safety record.

With the specfic requirements for the new driver to complete, a veteran driver should be able to complete this requirement with no problems. I believe a system like this would help our industry and you wouldn't see driver trainers with 6 months training new drivers any longer.

 

Very good idea! I love it All in favor of setting this into motion, say Aye! hehe.

However while one can support this idea, it will probably not be put into play . . . and there'd be companies and drivers trying to find their way to measle their way through it. :\

 

Yeah you'll get huge opposition from the large companies that think it's ok to put a driver trainer with 6 months experience out there to train. No company wants extra inspections. But it's just a thought to improve the industry that I believe needs alot of work.

 

My husband and I just graduated from a 160/hr school. The school, itself, was great. We had a lot of fun. But, in all honesty, now I'm laying awake at night wondering how we're going to actually do. We passed our tests and got our licenses, but we still suck at driving! Not to mention, we were trained and tested out on 28 foot trailors. My only hope is that the company we finally get signed on with understands that even though we could get thru the basics, we really don't know what we're doing. Good God, I'm still afraid of right hand turns!

 

I've been hearing about this for some time now and even met some driver's who got their CDL this way. One was even 19. I thought about it and I'm more than ready to do it because I've been on the road the last 7-8 year's with some hand's on training know how to do all the pretrip's and such, I just need to learn the log book unless I am able to find something local. My question though is who would be a good third party testor with a truck? Would Pensky or a rental company alike be able to rent out a truck for the road test to me?

 

look into union companies they run 28 ft trucks and you will learn to pull doubles. I trained on 28 ft pups and was denied employment with CFI/CONWAY because of the 28 footers training. I currently work as a fueler/yardman backing 53 ft trailers it took a couple of tries to feel comfortable. You know how to maneuver the truck,depth perception is different but you can do it. Best of luck. If you get the chance to find a local place that will train by the hour. Try it out for 1 hr or 2 with an instructor and you will feel much better about your training.

 

Check with some of the smaller cdl schools in your area. They will sponsor you for the test and some have a weekend class hourly rate for maneuvers. Pensky will rent to a cdl holder but they will not let a company hire you without 2 years experience to drive their trucks.

 

Hey, folks, sorry to hijack this thread for just a quick question:

Skunk, is your name because you are driving a retired Simon truck or pulling a retired Simon trailer? Truck 2590 would have be about a 1998 freightliner (unless it was from a Senior Driver, and then it would be a 1999 Pete)

Am I guessing right?

From,
Lastkidpicked, still driving Skunk 1357, the best truck I ever drove.

 

Heres a tip, sure the schools cost a bit of dough but consider this...
In 2009 you will be required to attend an accredited school to get your class A CDL. As of today there are only 5 in the U.S. I expect this to have a dramatic impact on "CDL mills"
I am currently attending one of those 5.
It takes 6 months to complete training.
10 weeks classroom at 4 hours a day 5 days a week, then pass dmv test to get permit.
8 weeks road range 4 hours a day 5 days a week, then pass dmv pre-trip and road test.
6 weeks or 240 hours over the road with trainer depending what company you go with.
My diploma wont be issued until I complete the otr training.
I assure you this,even though it cost me some change, swift and werner offer tuition re-inbursement swift pays 6,000. werner pays 5,000.
I got this thing financed and off the ground with no cash up front
and am only responsible to pay 100 bucks to the school before completion.
And then pay the payments. If I cant find a company that has a re-imbursement program.
The payments on my loans are about 100 a month. I will not be under contract with any company.
Swift and Werner both pay for the 240/6 week gig.
swift pays 450 for first 4 weeks 500 last two.
Werner pays only 350 for 240 hours but gives a 500 bonus after completion.
The better the training the better driver you will be. The better your school, the easier it will be to find work. The economy is going through some tough times right now and freight tends to slow, increase your chances to make a living by doing everything you can. If that means shelling out a couple grand to make that happen well...
Nothing worth while comes easy.