Profile For Vincent T.

I couldn't afford school and I couldn't afford going to a company sponsored training due to the fact I need steady income coming in weekly and some sponsored training requires going weeks or so with out pay .. But I was able to get my Cdl on my own after passing all the test at the DMV (Dallas tx) . But anyway my question is where can I get a start at? CRST? Stevens? who will take me in if I have my Cdl already? Or do all the companies require money to be dished out for OJT 🙄

So I've been researching companies and wanted to get my CDL and start driving. I seen your thread and wanted to know what is the pay during training with CRST ? If any.. And do they pick where you will train? Or do you have a choice seeing how I am located in Dallas already. And do you recommend I get my CDL first before attempting to get on with CRST ?

Just got back to the hotel.

Pretty enjoyable day. I started by waking up at 5:40am. Smoked, ate breakfast down stairs. Then we left on the shuttle van to the class at 6:50am.

The instructor we'll call Mike. Mike's pretty cool. He has been in the industry for 10yrs he says. I understand why I see all those posts on the internet saying how the teacher is an *******.

Mike does rag on people, yes, but it is never unwarranted. We basically sat down in a room, with 30+ people. We filled out a bunch of paper work (MVR, references, previous jobs, bank name/acc., etc). Then sat listening to Mike rattle off highlighted parts of the Texas CDL Handbook.

We had a handful of breaks through-out the day. Nothing special. Smoke breaks outside. Around noon I was finally called for the DOT drug test (standard tinkling in a cup). As we were about to take an hour lunch: I was called for the DOT Physical.

Really simple! Signed basic release forms, verified my Texas residency, took my blood pressure with a cuff, checked my eyes with a flashlight, then read the board (#11 was the smallest, and I read it without issue.. Apparently I have really good eye sight). After that I took my lunch.

For the next 2 hours: He read more (basically identical to college from my experience). After that: We were handed two pre-tests, open book, multi choice. I scored: 97.5% on the "Special Requirements" portion, then 92.5% and 95% on the other half of the "Permit" test.

Not too shabby considering I didn't touch the book! There was no time limit. And, unfortunately: My roomie has to prove residency of Texas. He has a CDL A permit already, but recently hails from Hawaii.

Tonight we are supposed to study chapters: 5, 6, and 14! Tomorrow we are going to the Texas DPS to take the REAL test! We will also be issued our D.O.T. Medical cards.

I feel pretty confident about the tests, but, I plan on reading over the chapters anyway. I have to give a ton of thanks to this site, again, and The Highroad Training Program!!!!!! 3 feet behind, 4 feet in front (or do I have it backwards?) was one of the questions I answered incorrectly.

The schedule goes: Class Monday - Saturday. CDL A permit by Monday, then 2 straight weeks of range driving training until we take the CDL A test. After that: We'll drive with a trainer for 28 days, then we are on our own.

This is pretty bad ass. Oh! I almost forgot... The shuttle driver from the Greyhound Bus station was on the phone, driving erratic as can be, but I thought it was funny. I'm not quite sure, but! I think she works for this up-scale hotel.

Oh well.. Time to eat, then study, study, STUDY....!!!!!