I live in VA and drove every kind of truck while I was in the Navy. So now that I am out, I am in need of a CDL. Not for over the road type stuff though. I work for a defense contractor and we have some large trucks, big equipment trailers etc.... and only one guy here has a CDL. While several of us drive this stuff out on our target ranges, only one of us can legally drive on the public roads. So we are looking for a place that we can do a quick training/practice session and then have a vehicle to use to take the DMV test. Unfortunately we can't use the gov't vehicles for this because of regulations. We are VA residents so I would imagine we need a VA CDL or can you go to a different state to get your CDL without being a resident? The only place we found near us is an 8 week full time school. That won't work for us sinse we all work full time. Anyone know of a place or way to do this?
Where in VA are you? I'm assuming you are down in the Norfolk/ Va beach area. In Manassas (in NOVA) I went to A1 CDL. They have a weekend only program. Trucks are old, but what training school has new trucks?
Yes Norfolk area. It has to be some "legit" school because the company is picking up the tab for all of it. Is A1 a one weekend thing or several? We could swing the company paying for travel and probably a week away at a school but not much more than that. I found a place that does exactly what we need but they are in UT and you have to be a UT resident to go throught their training. Never mind I found A1's web site. They take 8 weeks of weekends, that is to many weekend away from home. Is there a specific hours of training requirment? I thought that you took the written test, got permit, took driving test (if you can do it all on your own) but see that most schools have X amount of hours training. Is this just a selling point to show you what you get for your money? Also I noticed that non of the schools seem to advertise an actual price.
I work for the government as well and we needed to get our CDL's as well.Not sure why,the trucks dont have any type of inspection on them,non fall into any type of code ect.But anyways..lol. We ended up just studying,practicing at work on our manuevers and took the test with a military truck and trailer.
Our transportation folks gave us a big line about how they can't let us drive on public roads even to take the test. The driving won't be an issue. We work on a 68,000 acre test range and drive all over the place. It is just a pain that one guy has to drive all the stuff from our compound out to the range because the rest of us can't "legally" do it.
Are the 3 week schools not short enough for you? Cause I think they are too short. Training should be a minimal of 6 weeks just to get your CDL. It doesn't matter if you can drive the space shuttle..... They are suppose to teach you more then that.... Like laws, regulations, & how to manage your time to comply with them.
duksrule, A quick google search turned up a number of possibilities. Here are just a couple: ATI Advanced Technology Institute # 5700 Southern Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA. Check to learn if they offer a short course and truck for testing. Future Truckers of America has three locations in North Carolina, all located close to Greensboro, and claim to be approved in NC, SC, AND Virginia. There are bound to be many more should neither of these companies work out. Another thought... visit your local Virginia DMV and ask an inspector what their suggestions are. It could be that studying the books and a quick refresher is all that's needed to pass the test. Then again, driving around the target ranges is a far cry from what's expected to be Road Ready... Best of luck!
ATI is an 8 week course. Also we aren't doing any over the road kind of stuff that would need a log book or time managment. The farthest we go on public roads is about 50 miles max. As for the regs and things like that, we can study a book or do an online course without sitting in a classroom for 8 weeks. I completely understand someone who has never driven anything bigger than a honda going to school. We were all licensed in the Navy so driving is not a question. In fact one of the exemtions for having a CDL is being Active Duty with a militrary license in a military truck. When I was active I drove all over the city streets without any problems, I don't see why I suddenly need more schooling just because I am now retired. Also the target ranges are like actual cities with buildings, roads, etc... not just driving around in a field.
