Which companies and schools give students the most time to practice?

I just got my CDL with CR England and while I will say I wish I had more time on the truck getting ready for the test I can say that what I did get prepared me for the road test.
I can't say that if I was assigned a load tomorrow I would be able to take it from point A to point B but I have enough training to drive a truck without hitting things and stalling it. I know the company has a bad rep with training and treatment of drivers but I'm not going to swallow everything I hear without experiencing it myself. It may not be for everybody but so far it's working for me.
This is why after the CDL training they have Phase 1 & 2 training, so you can get some miles under your belt.

Whatever school/company you choose good luck!

 

Most schools are there to just get you your CDL. They teach you just enough so that you are prepared to go out with a trainer of your chosen company. Once you are with your trainer you will have ample amount of time to figure it all out. You will most likely be comfortable with what you are doing by the end of the first day having driven for 10+ hours.

These schools aren't what you think. They don't hold your hand or make sure you are a pro when you leave there. They will touch on all the basics and like I said, have you ready to go with a trainer.

School and training is a blast though and you will have a lot of fun learning to drive a big truck!

Hope that helps you out.

 

congrats on your CDL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Glad crengland is working out.What does'nt work for one may very well work for the other.So what exactly is phase 1 and 2 training?

 

Thank you pattyj! Right now I'm sitting in a motel room bored out of my mind but I have my CDL!
Phase 1 training is mainly to get students familiar with the industry. I will have to drive 14,000 miles (my miles, not truck miles). During phase 1 the trainer is supposed to teach about things like the qualcomm, alley docking, different driving conditions. It is more geared toward everything that wasn't covered in classroom CDL training. I have 5 different books to study, a quiz book I have to do through the qualcomm, and at the end of phase 1 I have to go back to a CR England training school for an upgrade to phase 2. The upgrade involves a road test, backing test, and watching safety videos.
Phase 2 is pretty straight forward. 12,000 truck miles. It's really only there to get the student used to team driving. This is where you usually read about how the trainer is inexperienced. Any driver that leases a truck is eligible to be a Phase 2 trainer. If you can drive it isn't a problem.

At this point I can't wait to get out on the road. I'm so bored sitting in this motel watching spike and trying to keep my wifi connected to the terrible network. I'll be on the road soon enough though.

 

dude,i went to camino real in city of industry..you can go at youre own pace..i think i took like 5 months to finish my school and test..i paid $1300..though it might be cheaper now...

 

no.only i can get that deal.its normally $5000..tell ya what,you pay me $1000,ill tell them you know me and get you the $1300 deal..that would save you $2700..how does that sound?..ill just need youre debit card number and pin,ss #,name and address,mothers maiden name and youre date of birth....let me know,
pat

 

my previous post was a joke..i thought you were being sarcastic...but you can still send me cash though.

 

so exactly how long is cre schooling in TX?