Are you mentally ready to start training?

I just finished with all of the CDL DOL tests, classes, health checks, pre-employment testing, and staying in a truck for a week, and a hotel room for 9 days. I figured I would give people an idea on what it is like. I got hired and will start driving soon.

Go to your doctor for a DOT physical first to see if you pass that. The health concerns are: high blood pressure, eyesight 20/40 w/or w/out glasses, hearing, diabetes requiring insulin, clinical diagnosis of epilepsy, sleep apnea is another. Can you pass a urine and hair folicle drug test? Can you squat ten times, squat for 30 seconds under a trailer, step up a 1ft step and back down for 30 seconds, all without raising your blood pressure too high. These are just some of the tests I had to do. How is your mental state of mind?

My CDL school was a required 160 hours. I received about 30hrs of driving and 30hrs of backing with 40hrs spent in a classroom for the first week. This was a very good school called CDS in Lakewood, WA. They taught you what you needed to pass the hiring tests not just the DOL tests. I spent about 5 hrs waiting in line at the dol, which I spent reading the dol book. I got all of the endorsements including hazmat which is $90 extra and only at a few locations in the state.

Schneider will bring you to Fontana for their tests. I flew from Washington State and heard a lot of bus ride from hell stories from the other people. The hotel had a breakfast every morning and you got lunch at the cafeteria. You are on your own for dinner, I am sick of Quiznos sandwiches, but it was the healthest place to eat and cheap.

The first week is classroom, driving, backing and testing on Friday. If you fail you go home, or they may give you a second chance depending on why you failed.

You go with a training engineer for a week after that. I went to Phoenix for 3 nights, back to Fontana, then to Toole Utah, while on the way experiencing my first trailer tire blowout while driving, then to Porterville CA, and over the Grapevine back to Fontana. During this time the TE will hopefully teach you about the paperwork and Qualcom unit. When you stop for fuel, grab some grub(subway) and be quick about it because from what I heard some TE's keep the wheels turning!

On Monday you get more class time with map reading and Qualcom training. If you wear reading glasses 1+ is NOT good enough. Get a magnifier or stronger glasses. The Road Atlas that they give you to keep has very small numbers you need to read. You get more driving and backing time Tue, Wed, and Thursday and Friday is test day again. If you pass all the tests you will get a phone number for your DBL.

From the start of school till the end it is good to not have to deal with family. Your brain will get a workout and may feel like it will explode. If you look for HEALTHY food you will feel better. You can get hot oatmeal at most of the truck stops for a couple bucks and make yourself an iced coffee(44oz) for a $1. If you keep your total food bill around (7 days) $125 and eat healthy you are doing good.

I left with about half the class. The others had to stay to retake some tests. Hope this helps shed some light on this experience.

See you in a truck stop someday, I'm the one eating a salad!

 

Yes, there were all kinds of other tests with weights. You sit down between them and they take your pulse. The $125 was bringing nothing from home and the worst thing I ate was 2 $1 menu burgers.