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What is a Refresher course?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by saratoga76, Jan 28, 2012.

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  1. Jan 28, 2012 #1
    saratoga76

    saratoga76 Bobtail Member

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    Jan 8, 2012
    Saratoga Springs, NY
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    I just spent over an hour reading threads about refresher courses. I got my CDL in 2006 and was on road til 2008 when I found a local job driving city buses in Dallas. I moved back to NY and would like to go back over the road and was becoming discouraged because everyone wants recent experience. I only just learned about the existence of refresher courses. What nobody seems to tell me is exactly what are they? Is it like going through school all over again? Do I have to pay? I already put $6000 into getting my cdl the first time, do I really need to start all over? Are there any companies that take you on for free (or nearly) and send you out with a trainer? That would be ideal if I could take a road test and go out with trainer for several weeks. Please help with answering these questions and perhaps sending names of companies that might work with me. Thank you.
     
    saratoga76, Jan 28, 2012
    saratoga76, Jan 28, 2012
    #1
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  3. Jan 28, 2012 #2
    Bigarmin88

    Bigarmin88 Road Train Member

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    A refresher course is when you take either a 20 hour or 40 hr tractor trailer training again.More likely most of it is behind the wheel training each school is different so you have to find out what they really do in a refresher program.Also find out from companies what amount of hours do they required from a driver who just took a refresher course,some may required a min.of 20 hrs some may required up to 80 hrs.As for going out with an trainer,more likely you would have to but maybe for a week or two depends on the company.A refresher course can cost around $85.00 an hr so make sure you find a company first and get a pre hire forum and then find out how many hours they want you to take of the course.
     
    Bigarmin88, Jan 28, 2012
    Bigarmin88, Jan 28, 2012
    #2
  4. Jan 28, 2012 #3
    RickG

    RickG Road Train Member

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    Refresher courses are just another way for BFI's to rip off drivers . Not all companies require them . Check with the expedite carriers .
     
    RickG, Jan 28, 2012
    RickG, Jan 28, 2012
    #3
  5. Jan 28, 2012 #4
    123456

    123456 Road Train Member

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    Refresher courses are required,

    to perform backhauls !!!!!


    :biggrin_2559:
     
    123456, Jan 28, 2012
    123456, Jan 28, 2012
    #4
    Wargames and jerryy123 Thank this.
  7. Jan 28, 2012 #5
    Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Well, since you forgot how to drive a truck in the 2 months/8 months/2 years you've been off the road, you need to go back to school and learn all over again.However, since you do have experience in trucking, you can just get a "refresher" course. It's called the "dumb trucker" syndrome. You know, people that aren't truck drivers making rules for us that are truck drivers.....They know best, right ?
     
    Allow Me., Jan 28, 2012
    Allow Me., Jan 28, 2012
    #5
    Wargames and Gizmo_Man Thank this.
  8. Jan 28, 2012 #6
    mike76

    mike76 Light Load Member

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    Sep 3, 2009
    mesa,Arizona
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    we have a lot of companies here that want drivers to take a refresher course. There are jobs here and companies having a hard time to find drivers, but most want at least 6 months. it not because the trucking companies want it. it due to the insurance companies and refresher course is part of it.
     
    mike76, Jan 28, 2012
    mike76, Jan 28, 2012
    #6
  9. Jan 28, 2012 #7
    Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Like I said, people that don't know about trucks making the rules for us that do know about trucks.
     
    Allow Me., Jan 28, 2012
    Allow Me., Jan 28, 2012
    #7
  10. Jan 28, 2012 #8
    mike76

    mike76 Light Load Member

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    Sep 3, 2009
    mesa,Arizona
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    that true, but it has also spread to city drivng jobs, but what can you do.
     
    mike76, Jan 28, 2012
    mike76, Jan 28, 2012
    #8
  11. Jan 29, 2012 #9
    bigdogmean1

    bigdogmean1 Bobtail Member

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    Jan 17, 2012
    Manchester.NH
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    They make you go back to school for one week. You just do your manuvers over again and you do some road time. They don't charge to much. Maybe 400 buks. You get a certificate saying you did the refresher course.
     
    bigdogmean1, Jan 29, 2012
    bigdogmean1, Jan 29, 2012
    #9
  12. Jan 29, 2012 #10
    Gizmo_Man

    Gizmo_Man Road Train Member

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    each school that you inquire at for a refresher is going to be different. some will want an hourly rate. some will charge a flat fee, some will want the full course.

    best bet is to ask an employer you are applying at, and that is ONLY IF they want you to go through a refresher.

    there are indeed MANY companies out there that do not require you to go through any re-training.

    i think at least one benefit of a refresher is that you DO NOT NEED to go to the DMV for another road test!!!

    good luck, keep us up to date.
     
    Gizmo_Man, Jan 29, 2012
    Gizmo_Man, Jan 29, 2012
    #10
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