Comments By J.a trucker

Passed my n.y cdl A road test today.. Paid out of pocket for training ....what should be my next move?

Also going to prime next month.........

About to begin training ..... what can I expect?.... I already have a valid n.y state permit and medical card will I hav to do it over (in indiana )?

Willing to go to Pennsylvania...new jersey or states or neighboring states...

Trying to find a company sponsored program close (or close enough to ny).. tried paying for training out of pocket but the classes are just an hour and they keep telling me that the automatic tractor is easier but I want to learn on the stick...any advice would be appreciated. .thanks

Can I use my newyork lerner permit for trucking school in another school?

Aldaine, here is the kicker. Very few, if any, major trucking operations will hire you unless you have a training certificate showing that you have received 160 hours of training. That certificate is just as, and maybe more, important than the CDL when you are a rookie trying to obtain employment. There are some trucking schools taking people's money and not giving them what they really need when it comes to getting a job. Just having a CDL will not open too many doors for you, but having that CDL and that 160 hour certificate is like having the keys to the kingdom.

Before you spend any more hard earned money at this school, you need to ask some very specific questions about that training certificate, and do not fork out any more money if they can't provide you with a legitimate training certificate stating that you have had 160 hours of training. Most common truck driving courses are four weeks at forty hours per

thanks for the info.... think I will. Just try a company sponsored program....

The question has pretty much been answered by the wonderful gentlemen above me but I'll add my tip.

It doesn't matter if there's no schools close by, companies will pay for your transportation and your lodging to their facility where they'll train you in exchange for you working for them for X amount of time (usually a year).

Pay them by the hour? Well, multiply what they're charging you per hour by 140 hours then add the 1100$ upfront pay for your total cost.

Like previously stated, you need that 140 hour certificate!

Private schools are for people who can afford it. Otherwise it's Company Sponsored schooling for you.

Thanks for that info I was so lost...will find out about the 140 hours if the don't offer it then I will just do what the $1100 cover an try to get into a company sponsored program

I don't know what school you are attending but I went through a branch college for mine and it went something like this: It was a 240 hour class, you could either do it mon-fri for 6 weeks 8 hours a day, or weekends 8 hours a day for 15 weeks. I did the weekends one so I could keep working during it. It was hard to lose 15 weekends in a row! 1 Hour sessions sound kind of skimpy, how many hour class is yours? most companies like you to have like 200 hours or more I think?

So first there is classroom, study of the cdl manual and practice tests and videos. General Knowledge, Air Brakes and Combination Vehicles are the 3 written tests you need to pass at the DMV to get your CDIP (Commercial Driver Instruction Permit or "learners permit"). Also in order to start driving with your permit you need to pass a drug test and get a DOT Physical.

One we had our permits we would do some yard driving with cones and such to practice backing up, straight back, offset back, alley dock and parallel parking. We also worked on double clutching and floating the gears. Also we learned how to do a pre-trip inspection of the truck and trailer.

Once everyone was getting familiar with the trucks we went to a remote area and practiced driving, with a permit you always need an experienced cdl holder with you. We then did more classroom to cover tanker, doubles and triples, and hazmat. Then we did more driving in less remote areas and eventually drove a lot around the possible driving test areas.

Then near the end of the course we scheduled our driving test. It took about an hour and we had to perform the pre-trip inspection, yard skills and then do a drive with the inspector. You had to score well on the tests, a points thing, and there were some extra credit type things to do in case you lost points elsewhere. There were a couple of automatic fails like hitting a curb, running a red light or stop sign or etc bad things. He asked what the posted speed limit was, and you had better know it!

Then at the end he either passed you or failed you, we didn't get to ever see our results and he submits some paperwork and a few days later you can go in and get your actual CDL. I'm sure there are some variations state to state but that's the jist of it. Study a lot here on the high road cdl study and study your cdl manual. Read everything you can and try and get to where you are easily acing the various tests here on this website and you'll do fine. Remember repetition is the key to memory!

I ended up getting a Pell Grant because I made so little the year before, but I could have also easily qualified for a student loan if the Pell grant fell through. My course cost $2800 and was through my local branch college.

Phil

I already have a permit..The school don't have a set amount of classes or hours... but everyone is saying 1 hour classes makes no sense

Yea an hr for class seams like a bad idea...

Take a look at Truck Driving Schools or if you'd rather not pay out of pocket, Company-Sponsored Training has some great companys that basically hire you once you finish their program.

I am in newyork an I can't find a paid cdl training program close by... I already have the permit..All the cdl training schools i have contacted offer per hour classes...