Interstate Truck Driving School

What company are you going with ?

 

I can back this up - 3 Years ago I went to Interstate Truck Driving School.. I did a bunch of research before attending any school and learned quickly, the large carriers that provide the school for you (swift, etc), teach you almost nothing. The classes are stacked with students, your actual drive time is very limited.. Etc Etc..

Go see Pat @ Interstate, he's usually in the back area.. Great Guy, will tell you straight up how things are, both at the school and in the world of trucking.

When I graduated, Leased on to a company, I had to spend some time with a Mentor before going solo - After 5 hours in the truck with the Mentor, he (the mentor) asked me where I had driven before.. He was amazed the only experience was from school. Made that guy a lot of money, we ran team hard and he felt I only needed to learn the actual company stuff, not how to drive a truck.

I did really well at one of the biggies for my first two years. Made good money and was able to purchase my first truck just this last year, moved to a small carrier, pay is better, expenses are smaller and over all couldn't be happier.. I have to say I owe Interstate Truck Driving School due credit for a large chunk of my success..

Everyone at Interstate is very vested in you succeeding..

Bill the owner is great, do well in his school, spend a year or two OTR and ya might find he's willing to hire you back as an instructor should one have that desire.

 

To back up what others have said here, I am very satisfied with the training I have received at Interstate. All students move forward at their own pace and nothing is rushed. All of the driving is one on one or you alone on the backing ranges. The class room sections are on a 2 week cycle except for pre-trip and air brake classes which are held every Wednesday and Saturday. The bulk of the classes are also available online which is very convenient. The school has one driving simulator and has more on order.

Their program focuses initially on getting your DOT physical, a learner's permit and then passing the state road test in a day cab with synchronized manual transmission or an automatic, depending on what course you sign up for. They have a doctor who does the physicals on a regular basis. I my physical the first afternoon and got it out of the way. After passing your state road test and getting licensed you move into the final phase of training and work with their 10 speed road tractors and 53' trailers.

Anybody who goes to any of these schools would be wise to do all the practice exams you can and read your state manuals cover to cover multiple times before you get there in order to pass your permit tests right away. I wrote additional tests for tankers, doubles-triple and hazmat endorsements which makes a new driver more attractive to companies looking to hire you.

The recruiter is Darrel Peterson and he was straight forward when I contacted him. Bill Collins the owner is very good at what he does. There are quite a few youtube videos out there that have been produced by the school.

 

I went there too, I liked it and everything said above is true.

My only problem is how they push the big carriers so hard, I wonder if they are getting kick backs from them or something. They act like all little companies break the law, which obviously isn't true.

 

How can I get into that schooling? I have no money what so ever, I am currently homeless and I just passed combination air brakes and general knowledge. Can anyone help me and point the direction I can go?

 

Call them and talk to them, the YMCA works with interstate to help put homeless people through school, definately talk to them, bill is a good guy I think he will try to help you.