My CDL School Nightmare

You may have find out the difference between the $2000 dollar school and the $10000 dollar school but could be wrong?

I should first say I had a class B for 30+ years driving dump trucks & trailers but that was only for 1 summer 30+ years ago. I also tow campers & car trailers of different sizes so I had the basics down.

My school (yes $10k as I felt fit me better than the short course) I felt the instructors were good, under staffed but good so there was a lot of students teaching students but if you asked they would help.
Because I did the long course I had 2 weeks at each “station” to learn it. Even before we went outside full time we would go out for hands on air leak down test or D&H so we could see what was being told in class. We were graded both in class with test and in the field at each station and cannot move on till we pass it. We also could not sign up for the state test till we passed a school mock test of pre-trip, skills & road. If you failed any part of it it would show where more work was needed. I don’t remember if you failed the mock test if they stopped it like the state test would or let you move on as I passed my mock test.

The school would let you keep coming (free) till you passed the state test. I was told this before I signed up with the school. After your graduation date you would need to let the next class have first dib’s at the stations as it was their class time then. By that time the class size was pretty small from drop outs you could get in no problem. They also have a morning & after noon classes, 1 night a week w/weekends you could get into again if there was an opening. They also have 1 night during the week that grads can go in to brush up on skills if need be. At one station I was at (alley dock) a grad from 2 years before came in to brush up, again as long as there is an open truck and is cleared with the office & instructor it’s good.
I do think there is a “cut off point” that if you can’t pass state test they tell you please don’t come in as you are not cut out for this.

There were many times I told the road instructors “I don’t know how you can do it” as us sitting in the back seat were sh** our pants with how some students drive but not one yelled or use colorful language when I was with them. All instructor were professionals in my book.

Hope you get it worked out.
Dave ----