Comments By Keith M.

So I just finished my first week of CDL training with College of Dupage....... Day One, orientation, videos then to the yard to learn Double Clutching and Straight Line Backing. All went well. I learned stick on a Volkswagen Van in the early 80's Had numerous cars since then with stick.... Double clutching was odd a first but got the hang of it real quick.

Straight line backing did well, turn the wheel in the direction of the problem. 1.% IE. if the back of the trailer is drifting to the right turn the wheel 1/4 to the right small corrections.

Day Two more straight line back and double clutching. Then skills left offset, parallel, straight line backing. Then to the streets. Streets double clutching up the road for a miles. Back to the yard and park..

Day Three we got snowed out so School was closed.

Day Four, videos for 1.5 Hrs. then to the yard. Skills with no Instructor just notes and visual clues. The snow made it difficult to see the lines. Went well though. Then in cab pretrip. On the road learning downshifting. Clutch neutral gas clutch gear. I am glad COD only teaches on manuals.

Day Five to the yard for In Cab pre trip and coupling. After Lunch we had a recruiter from ABF wow the Pay ($10,000) sign on bonus on first check, Company paid benefits, Company paid full Pension, Stock Purchase etc. well very impressed. Could be a contender. Then skills no instructor with notes and visual clues, offset parallel and straight line backing. On the road to practice double clutching down shifting and road skill went well. Back to the yard .

First week 3 Students, Instructors are impressed..... Me I have been on TruckingTruth since 10/2021 watching videos on YouTube. I have been watching the Prime Pretrip and know it word for word. Wording is different than my schools but I have been studying the Primes version of the pretrip for 4 months so it is all I know.

Student 2 has his Military CDL for the Marine Corp. Knows how to drive. Doesn't know the Il SOS rules. Very good person to learn from. He actually explains things differently than the instructors. Which for me when we are one on one is a good thing.

Student 3 is from Zaire been in the US for 20 years has never driven a stick before. Was frustrated in the beginning, still is frustrated, but will not quit. French is his first Language so, reading the study guides is a little difficult for him. I know a little French a good Friend of Mine is from Zaire, when I told him that he became much more comfortable

Us students are sticking together. Our instructors are the BEST. Read the reviews. Cannot say anything more.

So, I am starting my CDL training 12/31 with College of Dupage. Its 6 wks. 240 Hrs. They have 100% job placement, but cannot guarantee a job. Which I am not concerned with. I have passed all my CPL tests and endorsements. Passed my DOT physical and drug test.

I have pass all the test numerous times on Truckingtruth and truckercountry. I know it frontward and backwards- Properly mounted and secured Not cracked bent or broken, no abrasions buldges or cuts. Not leaking Belt driven no more than 1/2 inch play or (1/4) Frame and cross members properly mounted and secured non missing etc....

College of Dupage only trans on manual transmissions which is not a problem since I originally got my drivers license on a stick. In my area Chicago land, there are many companies to choose from.

My question is does anyone know of any companies that will reimburse you for your CDL tuition

That's Odd

I was required by my school College of Dupage to take a drug test with my DOT physical .....