truck driving schools in florida

Stay away from Roadmaster at all cost. Their instructors don't care their equipment is outdated tuition is through the roof. They will have 20 students per truck and only 4 trucks you will have 15 minutes practice then it's the nexts turn. They only spend about 2 hrs backing total and most of it the instructor is driving then you get your couple minutes wheel time.

 

Try Sheridan Tech west campus. I've heard all positive reviews from them. If you qualify for financial aid they will help you pay for the tuition which is $2000.

Next class starts Jan 24, 2014 from 7am-2pm mon-fri

I'm already enrolled and counting down the days till I start.

Only thing they require you to have before class is DOT physical and CDL A permit.

Sheridan Technical Center WEST CAMPUS LOCATION
20251 Stirling Road
Pembroke Pines, Florida 33332

http://www.sheridantechnical.com/Default.aspx

 

If Starke fl is do-able for ya, Bradford-Union votech offers a cdl course, tuition is around 2k. i didnt pay too much worry to the price, as this school actually came back as G.I Bill approved, unlike Sage and Roadmaster

 

Hey RJ_Jones, I live in South FL. Very interested in the Sheridan Tech program.

Are you saying they have financial aid to cover the $2000 cost? Because the website isn't very specific about it.

 

+1...its a farm...

 

Thanks for the great thread!

 

I can offer a little inside perspective having just finished through Roadmaster Tampa last week.

To be completely transparent though, I used the VA's Vocational Rehab for the program there and not a penny came out of my pocket. I cannot speak about the tuition cost, their loan programs, etc. I attended their school over the holidays as I always wanted a CDL.

All of the instructors I worked with were seasoned OTR truckers, and all most certainly cared. Some lacked more personality than others, but I wouldn't go so far as to make a blanket statement that every instructor who has ever worked or currently works for Roadmaster doesn't care.

Their equipment ranged from barely running to almost brand new. The road-ready trucks were fine, and only some of the older trucks with issues were either for teaching new students how to PMCS, or shifting practice around the track. I believe there were 8 or 9 tractors, and about 10-12 trailers.

I never encountered 20 students per truck; coincidentally, my class, the proceeding and preceding classes only had about 10-15 students, a quarter of which flaked out during the first week. At the most during me 3 week stint there was 4 to a truck, and usually with 2 instructors. I got to drive a few hours a day, and three days were dedicated to backing practice. I got sick of backing up we did it so much. Instructors, again, at least for me, only drove one time, and that was for when they were demonstrating something new such as shifting, backing, etc.

Maybe times have changed a little since you attended Roadmaster (if you did, that is, or just basing your statements off conjecture and rumors at the Flying J), but overall I had a positive experience. I met some great people, a few of the instructors really gave me some helpful knowledge (ie, here's how DOT wants us to teach you, but heres how it's done out in the real world, etc).

I would say though, for the amount of training received, how quickly it all passed by, and the mega-carrier inclination the school has to get students signed on so they can receive a kick back, coupled with the agreeably outrageous tuition cost, I would weigh my options heavily before signing any paperwork with them. Students come in with no money, sign a loan at 18%, then get hired on with Werner at .25cpm with a 1 year obligation contract to pay back the tuition they couldn't afford. A lot drop out, lose what little income they had, and now are in default on a loan they couldn't afford and are worse off than they originally were.

It's not a get rich quick scheme. If you want your CDL in 3 weeks, it's not a bad option.

I've been able to avoid the mega carriers and find a regional gig, so it is possible if you do the legwork and make the calls. Do the research, go in informed, don't believe everything you're told (this post included), and make your decision. That's what I did.

 

Yes Financial Aid is available to anyone who qualifies. Website won't be to specific about it, but when you go in person to register for the CDL program they always recommend you apply for Financial Aid first.

In my case Financial Aid approved me and offered to pay ONLY half of the $2000 tuition which left me with a balance of $1000 still to pay. But worry not because there is also another agency called the Community Action Agency. They are similar to Financial Aid and also help to pay tuition cost. Long story short there is help out there in the world.

$0 came out my pocket for tuition. Only thing I paid for was CDL Permit and DOT Physical Exam