Making plans for Prime

I'm surprised that IP didn't catch this one.

If three months goes by after getting your CDL and you aren't driving, your CDL is considered to be "stale", and you'll need to either take a refresher course, or go in through the PSD program.

In your position, I'd spend the summer building up the bank account, and come in through the PSD program to get your CDL. No money up front for the training, and Prime will cover the tab if you stick with them for a year. You'll be money ahead going that route.

 

The lady is correct... 90 days and out from receiving your CDL, you will have an increasingly difficult time finding a seat.

 

My point is that if you go over 90 days without driving, then the $600 is wasted. You will have to go through - and pay for - the PSD program.

 

Valid point why waste money it is not easy to come by

 

Having your permit in advance is recommended. Just make sure that it has at least three months before expiration when you arrive in Springfield.

 

Most newbies can't even learn shift correctly in 4 days much less learn the pre-trip and how to back a truck up in order to pass the CDL test. Plus I think most companies require the CDL school to be a certain amount of hours long some thing like 160 hrs. PSD student can't even test till they have 75 drive hrs and most ar close to 100hrs before they come in to test. When you come in with a CDL and go out with a trainee Prime pretty runs you as a team so at some point your trainer has to sleep while you are driving. As a trainer there is no way I would feel good sleeping behind someone who took a 4 day course to get a CDL.

If I was you I would try and find out the success rate of that course. Personally I wouldn't do the 4 day course as I would be skeptical that they could teach what I need to know in 4 days. Personally I would either look for a longer course or just do it at Prime where you will basically have on the job training. Best thing about doing it at Prime is while you are learning to get your CDL you are driving I. The real world making real deliveries and backing into many different types of docks.

 

To add to what cardinals1970 posted, Prime will want you to get your CDL through an accredited program. Those cost more like $4000 to $6000. What you're describing sounds like a rip-off CDL mill.

Advice... you need to run this course past the recruiters before you spend a penny on it to make sure they'll accept it. Otherwise you may be wasting your money. In my opinion, you'd be much better off keeping your money, and going through the PSD program.