Comments By Brian R.

TWIC, HAZMAT, and PRE are all separate. They do offer a discount if you apply at the same agency for them all. All require separate fingerprints and background checks. First is Hazmat, you will receive a number on your receipt, this number follows you through the rest. But you need the UE ID number. Now within 21 days the TSA will contact you regarding the HME (hazmat) status. When you get the all clear go to DMV and with your UE ID take HME test. Now the TWIC and PRE, these two are separate also, but require only one background check, but fingerprinting for both. here is where you get the discount. The reasons are simple and that is disclosure and conformity. Passport Card- Info is shared between Mexico USA and Canada under NAFTA HME- Applies to US, Canada, Mexico PRE- Across the board international safety ID shared with Interpol etc. TWICS- Same as PRE but your information is also shared by oversea shipping companies.

I just finished CDL training and the best is 160 hrs of training. Now I did mine in one month which was rather difficult, but I did test out 2 days early : ). See what the school offers, they break in down in hrs as to classroom range and drive time. But I have had no problems getting prehires and applications accepted with the 160 hr class.

I just finished school at AIT Las Vegas and am going to do an externship with Swift. My question is, does anyone have a list of the MUST have equipment I need when I set my own rig up. I am going to be OTR, 48 states in 6 weeks so I will hardly have time to shop. My trainer certainly would not like me filling up that limited space with more stuff. Thanks

Now that I have some time I want to review driving school. First do not try CDL training if you have money problems, rent problems, family, or relationship problems. Second you need time, and more time. YOU NEED TO STUDY. I chose a one month course with an externship. I was in class for 8 hrs and studying for 4 hrs a day. I am a fast learner and for me, this was one of the toughest challenges in my life. I am 51 years old, so yes in my life. The instructors want you to pass, not fail, and will do everything to help you pass. There is one person that makes you fail and its you! So go over your life and see if its the right time. AIT did offer a 4 hr class which I would recommend. There is a lot more time to study and prepare. All the instructors were friendly and helpful. Any question was answered even some very personal ones. SO ask a lot of questions. The instructors have 20 to 25 years as a CMVO, THEY KNOW. Ask college graduates about credits, tell them you will get 17 college credits in a month and watch the expression they give you. The instructors in the classroom present material, they do it so you can understand and it is a little more relaxed. You have to absorb it all and its quite interesting, but also gives you shock therapy into exactly what CMVOs need to know. Now the field instruction. The nice guy treatment is over. NOW its boot camp. YES BOOT CAMP. The instructors here were critical and very critical. This is where the rubber meets the road. FOLLOW what they say and never give up. Take in everything they say and practice it. They will be overjoyed when they see a maneuver click with you. They will praise you but, scold you when you error. KEEP AN OPEN MIND, FORGET WHAT DRIVING SKILLS YOU THOUGHT YOU HAD. If you do not pass a certain skill set you did not fail, you were just not ready. Okay you may have another two weeks but that's fine, build on what you could accomplishment. Listen to other students, but take advice only from your instructor, that is paramount, you may just be taking another students bad habits. While on the range the students will begin thinning out. Yes some people just call NO MAS. Do not be one of them. Please enjoy it, if ya get caught up just go somewhere and relax, come back refreshed and try again. I will forever love the Instructors at AIT, Very professional, want you to succeed, and are very honest. Yes it cost a lot of money and financing was readily available. All the loans can be paid off early with no penalty. AIT reviewed my personal life to see if I were ready so, do not leave out any bad things, they can inhibit your learning. I would only recommend the one month class to very, very fast learners. I almost regretted not taking the 8 week class. AIT was wonderful, to me and my family, I would recommend this school to anyone serious about a driving career. AIT also offers lifetime job placement and career counseling, another great feature. Yes they do promote the big carriers, and you can read all the bad things you like. But in the end, who is going to allow a fresh out of school driver to operate a $200,000 dollar CMV with thousands of dollars of cargo? WOULD YOU? If you are wondering why I did not post weekly, its because I WAS STUDYING!!!

Week four AIT Las Vegas was refresh on backing skills and a lot of road time. I was getting 30 miles a day which in school time is ALOT. I was lucky to have only two students using the truck. OK you get in start the truck and your rolling. Everyone seems to be moving at 100 mph and it feels like you are doing 10 mph, Its like a game of asteroids. Its like very four wheeler is coming right at you. There are few considerate drivers out there. You give them a car length and they will surely take it. Your head needs to be moving constantly. Take your eyes off the road for a second to look at speed or the tachometer and be prepared to make an evasive move. Learn to shift at home, using anything you have the size of the shifter, One two, its just a rhythm. One shift out two shift in and listen to the engine. The engine is all you have to tell you to shift. I had a ten speed and the **** pattern we are used to is turned upside down. Took a lot to get used to this, OLD HABITS die hard. Keep the revs low and the gears will find themselves, DO NOT OVERREV, you will never get a gear if you do. You will only get GRRRRRRRRRIIIIND. Speed is not really an issue, remember you feel like everyone is doing a 100 and you 10. Well you really are...lol. After three days, 10 gallons of sweat, blood pressure off the charts, and my once steel nerves turned to toilet paper, I tested out and now have a CDL/CMV license. I did accomplish one thing I set out to that, and that was be a safe driver. On completion of my road the tester stated I made some mistakes, but he looked at me and could see I was very much engaged in controlling the CMV. I overshot left and right turns just a bit, why, because you hit a curb, you fail. When the test ended the tester said to me, "I Felt very safe driving with and you should be very proud, you are now a CMV operator, congratulations DRIVER." THE WEIGHT OF A THOUSAND GORILLAS LIFTED

Third week at AIT Las Vegas began with all range. There is one thing about the range that no one mentions and was shared among all the students. When you are actually making the maneuvers time seems to fly by. But when you are watching another classmate time stands still. When you watch the maneuver its like, OK, easy lots of time...NOT THE CASE. The trailer seems to just move very fast, when you see it in one mirror, then look in the other its like the trailer moved 6 feet. Very funny and rather frustrating some times. So remember do the LEAST amount of steering as possible. Once the setup is correct, STICK WITH IT. Sometimes what you think is a small adjustment really turns out to be a big mess. also let the trailer tell you what needs to be done and the order is crucial. First rear of the trailer, then the front, then the tractor. NEVER FORGET THIS. Backing is really just simple geometry. also you can never force the combination to do what you want, TAKE the pullups, get out, and look at what it is telling you. All your steering adjustments should be made sharp and fast. the 3,9 ,12 rule is paramount, and snap the moves so the trailer does not push backwards.

Second week at AIT Las Vegas was more media, books, short clips. Covered DOT regulations, logbooks and mapping. I really enjoyed the classroom and what I learned. But be forewarned it is a lot to study. You will not be proficient in any aspects of the bookkeeping end of trucking. Time and experience will provide you with that. You will get a basic knowledge of how to use the DOT guidebook, Hazmat, logging etc. No school can teach you everything you need so keep an open mind and STUDY.

Well finally the first week is over. Took all the training tests with a 91 average, that's all endorsements. Went to DMV, Donovan and passed all the written exams except hazmat, We have to wait for fingerprints to even sit for the hazmat test. Here I thought smooth bores were only CANNONS. It was very tough doing all this in 4 days, I would suggest taking the longer course unless you want to study for 5 hrs a day after 9 hrs school and commute. I will say that without this website I WOULD HAVE NEVER, EVER considered getting my cdl. By far the practice exams were best here with actual explanations, totally blows crist away. Just the amount of information here and in one place, has totally changed my mindset. Next week we actually open up the textbook where the real DRIVING lessons begin. AIT uses Delmars 4th edition and so far opinions of that are good. Thank You Brett for taking the time to put up and maintain this website, and thank you to all the people that contribute.

Brian aka zero