Skill pad hours for a truck school

Sadly, yes. There are some crappy schools out there.

 

See about a refund and find a REAL school.

 

Presumably you have signed some sort of agreement with the school. I would think this agreement would list the amount of behind the wheel time you will receive, if so, hold them accountable.

 

Sounds about right from my experience. You can still learn a lot by paying attention to the other students, their mistakes, and how to fix them. If it's starting to get close to test time and you don't feel like you're able to pass, then you need to start talking to the instructor about it.

 

Yes. In my 3 week CDL school the students were divided into 3 or 4 groups and for a few days one group stood around outside watching others back the trailer and one by one each person would leave that group and be in the truck backing the trailer with a trainer. It just lasted until it was time for us to spend a few days with 4 students and a trainer in a truck driving on city streets. We would drive for about 20-30 minutes, switch drivers and drive some more. Then back to the backing range or the classroom. The CDL school is preparing you to pass the state exam, not go to NYC in a snowstorm. Almost every student will feel unprepared to drive the truck 50 miles alone the day the graduate. You will get A LOT more training by the trucking company that hires you. I spent 8 weeks sharing a truck 24 hours per day with one trainer as we took loads around the country. I did most of the driving under supervision. Don't go into a panic thinking the small amount of time behind the wheel is all you will ever get before being solo and far from home. Relax. The school has trained hundreds of new students and it's unlikely you are the least talented one of all of those students. Trust the process.

 

1 on 1 training. Only way to do it IMO.

College I trained at years ago would book lessons in 2 hour blocks. Do your pre-trip, drop trailer, rehook, go spend a half hour doing some backing, then drive around town the rest of the lesson.