Roehl CDL Training

I just wanted to share my experiences with Roehl GYCDL program since there aren't many on here from recent months. I attended the program in Appleton, WI and over all my experience was exciting and I had fun.
Monday - Friday you will be at fox valley tech about 9.5 hours and Saturday you will be at the Roehl terminal about 4.5 hours.
The hotel is very nice with friendly staff and a large breakfast. For lunch you will be served Erberts and Gerberts which consists of a nice variety of sandwiches, chips, soups, cookies, and even a pickle. Each morning during dispatch you will order what you want.
Guys remember you dont get paid till your third week at roehl. (third thursday) so if you are broke dont sweat it too much. You will have a way to school and back and the lunch is big enough to hold you over till breakfast the next day if need be.

Week 1:
The first day consists of paper work and safety talk for the first half of the day and the second half you will be sent to the Fox valley tech to check it out and be put on the simulators (these dont give the real experience but they teach concept so dont let them scare you)
Day 2 you will be put in a bob tail and out on the Keller track at the school learning shifting. By the end of the day dont be surprised if you have a trailer attached to you out on the track and either out in traffic day 2 or for sure day 3.
The best way to learn is to be thrown in hot water and this is what they do. Dont be nervous everyone sucks in the beginning and it was exciting.

Week 1 and week 2 will consist of backing and driving out in the real world. Highway, downtown, Road trips, maybe up to green bay to see the packer stadium or even out to marsh field to see the other facility it all depends on the trainer.

Week 3 they will get more serious with working out your kinks in driving and backing. The 3 backing maneuvers consist of straight back, offset backing, and alley dock (90 degree) ....I did not have the 90 down till 3 days before my test but it will click in your head eventually.

Week 4 you will either test on Tuesday or wens day and then graduate on Thursday. Your free to head home and get your CDL in your home state Thursday night or Friday. I left immediately after passing my test and headed to the DMV since I am a Wisconsin native.

The CDL exam consists of a pre-trip (with LAB and break in cab) with you much score a 35 or higher... backing which you cant receive more than 12 points, and a road test which consists of 30 obtainable points any more than 30 is a fail.

Impeding traffic is a automatic fail on the drive test along with hitting a curb with your trailer so be careful with that. Appleton is FULL of roundabouts and their are 2 on the test as soon as you leave the school but they are easier than they seem in a truck. The CDL test routes are easier than the routes you will practice in (you also practice on the test routes) and you are only on the interstate like 2 minutes for the test.

When backing you get 2 get out and looks for the offset and 90 degree backing and 2 free pull-ups. Every pull up after 2 is one point and if you hit a cone or cross the yellow boundary line it is 2 points. Each menouver has its own get out and look and pull up system but (2 for each) but the 12 point of less pass system is combined for all of them.

I went in with 0 experience grinding every gear and came out with 8 on my driving (mostly for grinding gears and was marked for each one) 0 on my backing and 47/48 on my pretrip which i was told by the state examiner was outstanding. Never even backed a boat trailer before so if I can do it remember you can too.

If you come with your CDL already and have experience, expect to progress faster and probably not stay the whole 4 weeks.

You will be paid 500 a week to learn which is Great! and it really is a great program out in Appleton! Many people coming from other companies say it is the best program at the tech. Dont listen to other sour heads on this forum or other forums who tell you otherwise. You get out what you put into it and it is a rewarding experience!
Take ALL the practice they hand you and give 100% and if you do this and fail your first time on your CDL test, I can give my word they will keep you another week to practice more and try again (although its not garenteed) but if you are trying your best they will keep you.

Roehl really is a great company and have treated me with respect and helped me Succeed. I have been out of the program 3 days and will head out with my driver trainer on Monday for 19 days and will post my experience for that as well. If you want to make money guys, take their advice on Saturdays and use it. When people tell you they arent getting miles at Roehl, there is a reason for that. Take things into your own hands, trip plan to be early and get the load their early if possible, contact your Fleet manager, and get another load.

Thanks for reading!

 

They do not deduct anything like other companies do. As long as you complete the miles, you dont owe them a penny for any of it

 

There is no charge to you at all, There used to be I believe on first day of class but not any more

 

I agree with it being a great company to start out with. I live in the Roehl home base area so know many people who drive for them and When it comes to making money I came to the conclusion it depends on your location, fleet, manager, etc... I hope I continue to have a good experience and can use the experiences I learn here to further my career in trucking if it is with Roehl or not.
How was your experience out with the Driver trainer? Did you have any issues being crammed together so long and what did you bring with you