LA Driving School / Dootson& Advanced Confusion

Discussion in 'Trucking Schools and CDL Training Forum' started by kennethbb, Aug 20, 2013.

  1. kennethbb

    kennethbb Bobtail Member

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    Aug 20, 2013
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    OK, so I am in the LA area and have been trying to find a truck driving school to get on with an OTR carrier. I'm not sure that I want to do their sponsored training because a) I don't want them to say that they paid the school 5k when they really paid 3k and b) I don't want to be forced into a ratty motel when I live in the area.
    Dootson doesn't give you enough hours, and want to graduate you with around 10 hours of driving time.
    And from what I've read ASD also doesn't give you enough driving hours (only 80, not 160) and I have heard extremely mixed opinions on their training.
    And I can't afford to pay 4k and drive to orange county everyday, or pay 6k to roadmaster. So, please tell me where I'm wrong on this stuff.
     
    DoneYourWay and Chinatown Thank this.
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  3. High Desert Dweller

    High Desert Dweller Medium Load Member

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    160 hours is generally accepted as the minimum required amount of training that entry-level trucking companies are looking for. That time is allocated to classroom, pre-trip memorization, backing skills and road training. You will spend a fraction of that time actually behind the wheel on public roads, and the largest percentage of time on memorizing the airbrake test and pre-trip inspection. You will not get even close to 80 hours behind the wheel, doesn't matter what school you choose.
     
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  4. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    This school has a good reputation for job placement : Jose G Campos Truck Driving School in Santa Rosa.


    CRST will pay for CDL school if you agree to work for them for 8 months.
     
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  5. jjjohal23

    jjjohal23 Bobtail Member

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    Sep 22, 2013
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    Hey buddy so I read your post and I think that you have been searching in the wrong places. I live out in North Hollywood and I recently got my trucking license in July with Hi-Desert Truck Driving School. They are located in Sun Valley and they only charged me a good price. They provide unlimited hours on the truck and they have a 97% pass rate on the first time. They give you all the materials that you are gonna need for learning how to drive a truck, and it's a great school. They are actually a state certified school and they provide you with everything. All you really need to do is pay and just show up to their school.
     
  6. bwwhitt

    bwwhitt Bobtail Member

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    Mar 1, 2013
    Glendora, CA
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    As a Dootson grad I finished with 18.5 hours of 1-on-1 driving out of a 162 hour program, which included permit classes, pre-trip classes, logbook clases, and learning about other elements of driving (driving in hazardous conditions, parts of the truck, international driving, etc.). I recommend it as they helped me pass the DMV with a 90% and enter into May Trucking feeling confident. Dootson has connections with MTC, KKW, and many other companies.
     
  7. Tahoeshateme

    Tahoeshateme Bobtail Member

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    Sep 22, 2013
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    Going to Dootson today for my first lesson.
     
  8. Emulsified

    Emulsified Road Train Member

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    Pick the cheapest school that meets industry standards and guarantees your license.
    Nobody cares where you went to school, no one will ask what's your alma mater after you get out in the world and start driving.
    The CDL school is there to get you a license.
    Period!
    They are not there to train you to drive. your first driving job will do that.
    Pick two or three companies you're interested in starting with and ask the recruiter, "do you accept candidates that graduate from XYZ School?"
    As a former trainer, I can tell you we don't expect you to know how to drive. That's why we're called 'trainers'.
    No kidding.
    One more thing. The state of CA will pay your CDL school if you are unemployed. Check with the unemployment office. The funds come from the Displaced Workers Act. They send you to a local school, pay the tuition. Best deal out there.
     
  9. Tahoeshateme

    Tahoeshateme Bobtail Member

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    So I went. Looking at $1,281 plus $68 to the DMV and they have job placement. Going to the EDD office in the morning to check of Work source center assistance. We shall see whats happens.
     
  10. Paluche

    Paluche Light Load Member

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    Workforce Investment Act is what you are looking for, but that program is gonna cringe if you want to go to Dootson...fyi (from experience)
     
  11. Tahoeshateme

    Tahoeshateme Bobtail Member

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    Sep 22, 2013
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    We'll see. I may be getting a job tomorrow back working on cars at a local dealer. So may just pay as I go. Big plan is to try to get in with a company with an OC in Mineapolis and relocate to Brainerd. I don't want to work on cars in the rust belt so career change and move in 1. I already have a place to stay on Camp Lake. Literally the lake is the back yard. Includes boat use and I can hunt Deer and Turkey from the patio.
     
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