Two CDL Schools To Avoid : Save Your Money!

If you enroll on that CDL school, you are wasting your money?

 

I hope the school isn't TOO bad! I start on Dec. 30th... But even if the school isn't so hot, if I can get through it, hoping PAM Transport will be worth it at least for the first year! Any suggestions/strategies for making the best use of C1 of Indiana?

 

I just graduated from C1 about a week ago, it is kinda a joke school, yes they teach you what you need to know to get your CDL A but not much more than that, MOST of the instructors are great, Dion is a #### that don't know how to instruct, they say they kick you out after 5 weeks, I got my CDL A in 17 days but we had dudes that have been there for 6 weeks and couldn't pass a pre trip inspection, best of luck and do what the school says so you pass then dump it all and learn with your PAM mentor

 

i am a new student at the CDL school in menands ny and i love it there, so far the permit training was great and the teachers are awsome... cost is around 6-7k for a 160hr course. they also help you get employment the first and second week there. classes are 3 weeks long for full time. will let you know how they are on the driving range the end of next week after a full week on the range.... hope this helps some people.

 

What's the name of the school there i live in ny and looking for a good school

 

https://www.cdlschool.com/

 

I went to look at ntts a few years ago but because they were $8,000 I went to swift and sold my soul for .25 cpm plus I'm paying back the loan

 

Personally, I think anyone would be insane to pay upwards of $8000 - $9000 for a CDL school.
I went thru a school in the Chicago area. That school's most "premium" course was 240 hours and called the "Regional & OTR Pro Driver Course".
The school paid for my permit, books, HazMat fees, & mostly everything. No extra charges other than my actual CDL fees.
For students that were WIA approved, they charged the govt over $5000 for that course. When WIA funding dried up, they lowered the price to $2000 to students for the same EXACT course.
That just shows you how much profit they pull in, and how much they overcharge.

Plus, nearly all private CDL schools just teach you enough to pass a state CDL exam, and that's about it.
Sure, you may get some that also briefly go over log books, mapping, and such, but it's just the basics.
BTW, the students that opted for the basic 160 hr course went thru the exact same course as the 240 hr one, just that they cut some hours off, which was mostly just "sit around and study" time.

 

If you are in NY, I would say, move out of NY

 

Ferrari Driving School was my choice.. It was an education to remember. Before I jump into my story about them, let me explain my starting point....A friend needed a p/t (weekend worrier) driver for his six wheel dump truck. He told me I needed a class B license. I went to the DMV, read the chapters, took my written and received my learners permit. I put in some windshield time took my driving test (using my friends truck) and passed. The time frame was about 2-3 months.

I wasn't in it for the money, just wanted to have fun and learn something different. A year later I had the opportunity to do the same thing but needed the class A license. I spoke to people and they were telling me the same price range "Advanced is around $9000. Regular course is under $8000".
Again, I went back to DMV, read the chapters, took my written and received my learners permit. Problem now was that I didn't have a tractor trailer to practice in and didn't want to spend $8-9K.
Back to "Ferrari Driving School". Their trucks are all over Queens NY and I've used them for DMV expediting services. The name was familiar to me. I called and spoke to "Carlos". He wanted me to commit to the all inclusive.. bell and whistle program. I wound up telling him to save his speech for the next guy. I'm sure he works on a commission basis. At the end.. we scheduled 4 private sessions on weekends. They were arranged early (8am) and I asked for the most favored instructor.

Ronnie (the instructor) was professional patient and level headed. He taught me well and took me on the test route several time. The truck was old but worked. The area was industrial/commercial and not far from “Rikers Island”. He suggested I take a "pre trip class" that was being offered before my scheduled lesson. I agreed. The class was very informative. There was a diverse range of people in this class. If it was at night, I may have something to be concerned about. but..as it turned out it was a nice group of people that was there to listen and learn.

The road test was scheduled. It was on a cold, rainy December day. The test went well and I passed. The total cost was $800. Granted,.. I don't know it all. I'm an entry level person that has a whole lot to learn.

I have a great deal of respect for truck drivers, the tasks they perform under the conditions they work.

Happy traveling, be safe and have fun!