America's Driving Force

Hey guys,
I am currently enrolled at a school in Conley, GA called America's Driving Force. ADF is a great school IMHO, all though it is a "CDL Mill" the teaching is grade A+. All of the instructors at ADF seem genuinely concerned that you do well and answer any question you may have in its entirety.

The equipment may not be the best, but if you owned a company that taught people how to drive an 18-wheeler, would you use top grade equipment. The class moves very quickly and seems overwhelming at first and it is, but towards the end of each day everything you learned will come together and you should be able to comprehend everything that was just crammed in your head. Here is a day-by-day outline of the course:

Week One
Day One: Pre-tripping
Day Two: Air Brakes and Combination Vehicles
Day Three: General Knowledge
Day Four: AP test at DDS and HazMat
Day Five: Log Book

Week Two
All this week you will be practicing different types of driving maneuvers; Straight Line Backing, Offset Back/Right, Offset Back/Left, Driver Side Parallel Parking, Blind Side Parallel Parking, Alley Docking

Week Three
This is the week you take the trucks out on the road. The first day you go on lightly traveled roads with little traffic. The second day you go up Pine Mountain and some other hilly and curvey terrain. On the third day you go down GA-41 to Kennesaw then travel to I-75, and take some other highways and roads. The forth day you go into downtown Atlanta and travel the streets.

After you have completed the three week program, the fourth week you go back to the DDS to take your license exam. A good thing about ADF is that they have a policy called "Student for life," which means you are a student for life, and you can come back anytime you would like for an absolutely FREE refresher course. Also with this policy comes the job placement program; anytime you lose or quit your job the will help place you with another company.

*Note week three changes on a weekly basis, the routes taken are based upon the ability of the students driving.

Overall I give America's Driving Force an A.

 

I will keep updating in my introduction thread called "A Wannabe Trucker" in the intro. sub-forums. Thanks for the best wishes.

 

Ok, that makes sense. I will start posting here now with my experience. I am hoping to be posting in the trucking company soon too LOL

 

Here is an outline of my first day from my intro thread in the welcome wagon:

Well, I started classes today. We reviewed how to do your pre trip inspection. Many was it overwhelming. So much to learn. The whole concept of doing a pre trip inspection is fairly easy, check the hoses to make sure they arent cut, frayed, dry rotted, and properly mounted and secure and that they 3/4" of play or less; also, checking the electrical wiring is the same make sure they are properly insulated, not cut, frayed, and no exposed wires. Checking the frame is fairly simple just looking for bends in the metal, cracks, and unauthorized welds. The engine compartment is also easy to check for, just make sure all the parts are in working order, not cracked, broken, bent and properly mounted and secured. The hard part of the motor compartment is learning all the names of the parts and what they do. Checking oil levels is a no brainer.

Pre tripping the front of the truck is simple, just look for obstructions in the radiator, make sure the grill is not broken or cracked; look at the head lights, blinkers, clearance and identification lights are all in working order and not cracked and clean. Check the windshield for cracks or breaks in the glass, check the outer window seal to make sure it is not dry rotted, firmly in place, and not cut. Windshield wipers and wiper blades are simple.

Checking the tires is easy just making sure they have the right tread depth, and no bulges. Rims are easy as well.

The only hard part to pre trip inspection is, as I said before, remembering all the part names even the u rods, tire rods, pinion arm, drag link and saddle straps.

The interior inspection seems simple, but doing things in the correct order is difficult to remember. Even remembering the oil gauge psi, air pressure psi, water temp, and voltmeter is a bit confusing.

Overall it was an overwhelming day, but towards the end everything seemed to be coming together and I was understanding it all. Now that I am at home, I still remember most of what I learned, but have got alot of studying to do. So I will talk to you guys later, enjoy your night and drive safely.

 

The pre trip has been the hardest part of the course for me, remembering 107 parts is tough on the brain LOL. If I didnt have to know all the part names for the license test then I would do just fine.

Air brakes and Combination vehicles is really easy no problems with that. When we studied General Knowledge it was air brakes and combos together with other info like front wheel skids, driving over railroad tracks, and other common sense info.

When you go to the DDS to take your AP test, dont think to hard it is a really easy test if you just study the book and notes you take from class. HazMat is a lot of information, placards, enroute checks, attending your vehicle at all times.

Doing your log book is complicated at first, but as with most things, towards the end of the day it will come together. The instructors really stress doing it absolutely perfect so DOT doest hassle you or write a ticket.

 

It is alot to know. But after practice I think it should come easy to everyone.