C.R. England CDL Training 11/2016 - 01/2017

First, I want to say thanks to Trucking Truth for providing some outstanding tools which have helped me move forward with a career choice I began planning for about a year and a half ago. So, after working through the High Road Training Program and applying to almost every company on the list of Paid CDL Training Programs, I made my way to Premier Truck Driving School in Cedar Hill, TX to train for C.R. England. The first week was pretty basic. DOT physical, drug screen and whatnot, along with classroom work to prepare for the "written" exams which weren't a problem since I had been studying well in advance. Those of us who passed everything the first time spent the next day (Fri. Wk 1) learning how to check the air brakes. *I want to go ahead and note that success in the program there depends on ones ability to be self-reliant. Students recieve written materials to study and are expected to learn and execute without much demonstration. After having the weekend off, we began learning pre-trip inspections and backing maneuvers. (Mon. Wk 2) We were shown straight line backing techniques a few times before being unleashed to try it for ourselves. A few days later the process was repeated with the offset parking maneuver. Now, some students had a problem with the lack of "one-on-one teaching" on the backing range but I actually enjoyed being let loose to figure it all out. In fact, a group of us who were comfortable moved on to parallel parking before being "formally instructed" on it. That weekend we were evaluated on our progress and were ready to start driving. I had never driven a big rig before but I had studied the concepts of double-clutching and understood the shifting pattern. Surprisingly, it came quite naturally and after a couple days I felt like I could really do this job. At the end of week 3 I passed my road evaluation and was scheduled to test at the DPS the following Wednesday. This is where my journey picked up some adversity. So I passed pre-trip, straight line and worked my way through offset. My adrenaline was pumping and the parallel box seemed to be shrinking by the second. I could not park that thing in there! After a break for Christmas, I returned to prepare for my retest. This time I used every point necessary to get all 73 feet of Freightliner in the box. I was elated until I rembered I had to go straight to the road test! Although I was confident in my driving I had used so much brain power on the parallel, I got flustered and rolled over a curb early in the route. Instant fail... I would fail again two days later. With only 1 attempt left and everything on the line I returned the next day and earned my Class A CDL. It was a really awesome moment.

Overall, my experience in school was pretty positive. Yes the hotel was crummy and it took about twice as long as what your told (The 17 day program depends on you passing everything on the first try as well as DPS scheduling) and your not being paid until orientation but once you make through, your only debt is time (9 month contract, no payroll deductions).

Bottom line, this company has given me an opportunity and I intend to give them a fair chance and see where it takes me. I'm excited (and a little nervous) to begin OTR training within the next week or so!

Congrats on the pass.

Thank you sir!

Congratulations! 👍

Best of luck and success in your road training. Safe travels!!

Congratulations on getting your CDL!! Looking forward to hear about the rest of your training.

'Preciate it fellas. I'm waiting on my OTR trainer now. I'll start a new topic on that once I get going.