Stevens transport

DEFPOTEC is line number 8 which is what the physical minimum at 15 foot distance is you have to be able to see

 

Safety ALWAYS comes first at Stevens Transport, which is great, they don't stay in business being shady. It's a good company to start with, they have a few Senior Drivers that have been there 2-10 years.

Just google "eye chart", then click on the images tab, the standard eye chart always starts with an E at the top and then F P on line 2. It's lines 7 & 8 they really start you off on, memorize lines 7 & 8, when reading it off in the physical, say the letters slowly but not too slow as if you are actually reading it. Also remember them backwards. I remember at Stevens Transport physical, she asked me to read line 7, so I did. Then on line 8, she wanted me to read it backwards, so I did as if I was reading it from right to left. I passed. At my age line 8 looks a little blurry, but the signs on the interstate are NEVER going to be that small, I can read signs, but for any test, we all study to be prepared.

 

I am trainer with Stevens and two of my students came out of the school near Denver .Both were pretty happy with the training.
You just need to understand that the school only teaches you what you need to get your CDL. The process of learning to be a driver starts with the trainer and goes on forever.

 

I am a trainer with Stevens and have had a couple of students that came from the school near Denver, they seemed happy with the school.

 

I just got to the school here in CO, and there is no internet, no toilet paper, no soap, nothing. So when that email you got from your recruiter says you need to bring "toiletries" they aren't lying...also, the hot water heater was shut off, so no showers after my 55 hour bus trip..I hope this experience improves.

 

So I just arrived at the school in CO, and it is..not what I had pictured. Also, the housing is a condo with 3 rooms and 2 bunk beds in each room. There is no toilet paper, soap, or internet/cable service, so when you get that email that says "bring toiletries", they aren't lying..not a great first impression..

 

If you aren't willing to take a cold two minute shower after two and a half days on a bus, you'll fit in just fine.

 

Luckily I lived 13 miles away from that school in Brighton, CO when I went there, drink lots of water because you will be out in the sun from 7-5 everyday and Saturday, take advantage of the free training to be prepared for the final. I have been through trucking school twice, once in Jax, FL in 1998 and this one in August 2013. Advice:
Do NOT listen to ANY other students, they've been there 1-2 weeks longer than you, only listen to the Trainers, you paid good money to learn from them, remember they've been truckers for many years and have been selected as trainers for a reason. The students who have been there 1-2 weeks longer than you don't know ####. Remember, even they do NOT have a CDL, yet...

On Sunday's, you day off, if someone has a car, have them take you 35 miles to Denver and go see the sights, and museums, you may not be back there for a long time, 16th Street mall is where all action goes on. Exit 22 is Brighton, where I used to live. There is an Applebees, Chili's, Target, Walmart, King Soopers(Grocery Store) and a Movie Theatre in town near Main Street. Remember to decompress, and relax with some down time.

Other things to remember, when you take your Final Road Test in your final week there to pass to get your CDL. Remember, LOOK AT ALL THE ROAD SIGNS! Eventually the guy giving your test will ask you after you have passed the sign, "What did that sign say?" You are being tested to see if you are reading the signs as if you on the road. I looked at all the signs and about 1/2 mile from returning to the yard, he never asked me so I relaxed a bit, then he got me. There is an overpass you will go under on a dirt road near the training yard. He got me on "What was the Clearance Height of the bridge we went under?" So remember, until the is cut off, you are being tested. So, look and remember ALL signs as you pass them, every overpass you go under have a "Clearance Height" sign, ie... Clearance "15ft 4in" and so on. If there is an area after the first week that you are no strong on, use the Saturdays and so that maneuver over and over. Whether it be straight line backing, pre-trip, or dock backing, do the exercises until you are sick of them, once you get there, do more. Remember you paid Good Money to learn, you are only competing against yourself. Any more questions, just ask!

 

Thanks for all the advice, it is appreciated. Just wrapping up my first week here, and things are going pretty well. I got super lucky and have some great roommates. We have a ton of laughs, and are helping each other learn as well. They got the hot water going the next day, and things have been kosher since. The instructors are a blast as well, and all of them have a ton of experience. They won't hire an instructor who hasn't been on the road for ten years or more. All I can say about them that could be a negative is that if you have thin skin as far as joking around and being "made fun of", this place may not be for you. So far so good!