Was looking at schools and stumbled across this listing. It's not a school with a class room. I go get the physical, pass the written, and make an appointment. Rent their truck for $975 for a day for manual trans and go 1 on 1 with a trainer for some hours and take the CDL test. It's called CDL Help. Anyone familiar with them? Any cautionary words of wisdom?
CDL Help
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Nomad1
Forum
Who is going to hire you from there? If you look at different companies they want recent CDL school graduates or experience.
Your answers are NOT helping. I'm a CHEAP SOB and hate spending money. I was really looking for a different answer. I'm going to check them out anyway to see if they have legitimate connections in the industry (he said trudging away muttering curses for the unfairness of life). If they don't I'll go to a school.
Thanks for the advice.
Thanks for the advice.
Electric Chicken
Well-Known Member
I'm a cheap SOB too but the money I spent on my CDL school was more than worth it.
unless you are a really quick learner, one day is not going to be enough for you. that type of "training" would most likely benefit a person that already has a CDL and needs a refresher training.
when i taught at the 2 schools in my state, even a 4 week program, a student didn't pass the CDL and skills test the first time, what did they have to do?
pony up more money for another appointment at either states DMV (we did MA, CT, and RI)
look for at least a 4 week course, it'll be tight on time, and it will cost more that $975 a day.
mndriver
curmudgeon extraordinare
You want a CDL, go to a school. They all teach the minimum to get you a state issued license.
That's it. To try and fleece you for more money is what their advertising is for.
Past that, learning to do this job is no different than learning to do anything else. On-the-job training. Hopefully under the watchful eye of someone else who knows what the hell they are doing. No school can teach you the different aspects of this job and all it entails. Flatbedding is totally different than hauling equipment. Hauling coils and beams is even specialized in it's own ways. It's reflected in that aspect that there are some states that mandate it as well.
Then you've got tanks as well as wiggle wagons.
No school can teach you all of that. Even construction companies will teach you how to run end, belly and side dumps.
Not like any employer is just going to take a rookie and totally cut them loose with zero support.
Ooooah. You need to fuel? Yop, we're gonna take 50 hours to train you how to pull up to a fuel island.
Give me a fucking break.
That's it. To try and fleece you for more money is what their advertising is for.
Past that, learning to do this job is no different than learning to do anything else. On-the-job training. Hopefully under the watchful eye of someone else who knows what the hell they are doing. No school can teach you the different aspects of this job and all it entails. Flatbedding is totally different than hauling equipment. Hauling coils and beams is even specialized in it's own ways. It's reflected in that aspect that there are some states that mandate it as well.
Then you've got tanks as well as wiggle wagons.
No school can teach you all of that. Even construction companies will teach you how to run end, belly and side dumps.
Not like any employer is just going to take a rookie and totally cut them loose with zero support.
Ooooah. You need to fuel? Yop, we're gonna take 50 hours to train you how to pull up to a fuel island.
Give me a fucking break.
Last edited:
Shudda used an emoticon to show I was being sarcastic. In case you missed it, I was. 
If the practice tests are like the actual tests I will pass the basics. If not, I'll have to study more. Are they like the practice tests?
From what I can see the schools teach how to pass the written test to get the permit, then you learn the pretrip inspection, the backing tests, and road test, correct? How much behind the wheel could I count on with the school? An hour a day when that's what they're teaching. Seems there is a fair amount of standing around waiting for one's turn. Your turn consists of an hour or two? The school's web sites claim to have connections with many trucking companies and probably do. So that's a good thing.
If a "school" like CDL Help has placement connections this may be an alternative to one of those dumbed down to the lowest common denominator. If I'm not as good as I think I am then I can pay for another day. In this case the day would be 6 to 8 hours of instruction behind the wheel.
I'll have to start calling some companies and see what their requirements are. If they don't have any idea who CDL Help is then I'll know.
Nah! Jennifer wouldn't lie.
If the practice tests are like the actual tests I will pass the basics. If not, I'll have to study more. Are they like the practice tests?
From what I can see the schools teach how to pass the written test to get the permit, then you learn the pretrip inspection, the backing tests, and road test, correct? How much behind the wheel could I count on with the school? An hour a day when that's what they're teaching. Seems there is a fair amount of standing around waiting for one's turn. Your turn consists of an hour or two? The school's web sites claim to have connections with many trucking companies and probably do. So that's a good thing.
If a "school" like CDL Help has placement connections this may be an alternative to one of those dumbed down to the lowest common denominator. If I'm not as good as I think I am then I can pay for another day. In this case the day would be 6 to 8 hours of instruction behind the wheel.
I'll have to start calling some companies and see what their requirements are. If they don't have any idea who CDL Help is then I'll know.
Nah! Jennifer wouldn't lie.
the written tests (now most states have them on computers, that shut off when you reach the minimum to pass), can have variations of the practice tests you can get online.Shudda used an emoticon to show I was being sarcastic. In case you missed it, I was.
If the practice tests are like the actual tests I will pass the basics. If not, I'll have to study more. Are they like the practice tests?
From what I can see the schools teach how to pass the written test to get the permit, then you learn the pretrip inspection, the backing tests, and road test, correct? How much behind the wheel could I count on with the school? An hour a day when that's what they're teaching. Seems there is a fair amount of standing around waiting for one's turn. Your turn consists of an hour or two? The school's web sites claim to have connections with many trucking companies and probably do. So that's a good thing.
If a "school" like CDL Help has placement connections this may be an alternative to one of those dumbed down to the lowest common denominator. If I'm not as good as I think I am then I can pay for another day. In this case the day would be 6 to 8 hours of instruction behind the wheel.
I'll have to start calling some companies and see what their requirements are. If they don't have any idea who CDL Help is then I'll know.
Nah! Jennifer wouldn't lie.
in many instances for instance, the practice tests will have like, answers A,B, C, D...
in reality at the DMV, they add a D or even an E.
then too, i have seen the states add a word or subtract a word, or totally rearrange the wording on the tests that you take.
many states "rotate" the questions as to not let anyone fully memorize them.
also, you will be warned to SHUT OFF any device in your pockets. if the test administrator hears any beeping, buzzing, ringing, whatever...you will be thrown out for cheating. if i recall in RI, you cannot return for 30 days.
but that might have been changed.
Arlington, TX. Right between Dallas & Ft Worth. Been looking at Maverick, Raider Express, Groendyke, YRC, Mills Transfer, Hogan so far. Right now just looking on their websites to see what requirements they have. So far, I haven't seen anyone wanting or mandating CDL school attendance. My ideal job would be touch free so some of these may not qualify. My #1 is Hogan right now. That may change as I go along.
Nomad1
Forum
What type of trailer are you planning on pulling? Flatbed at Maverick is not no touch freight.
BlackBart
Well-Known Member
Dont go for them big “nationally acreddidated” skrools. Theyll charge ya a fuckin kings ransom. Look for a smaller more local outfit if ya can. The place I used would take ya out with a single screw and a pup trailer a few times and practice manuevers til he thought you was ready.
Good luck
BlackBart
Well-Known Member
Unless yer set on runnin otr, construction companies and local contract haulers are good ways to git yer feet wet and git some runnin up under yer belt.
BlackBart
Well-Known Member
There ya go. We all gotta starts somewhere.
I started out runnin sticks and bricks for barely minimum wage. Good truckin... just didnt pay nuthin. needed the experience though to git sumthin better.
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