Comments By Steve K.

Thanks everyone. I will try harder today and see if it sinks in better. Or maybe I will not think it out so much and see what happens. I will update tonight with my results.

So, I have completed day 9 of school and we have finally started shifting. After about 45 minutes of shifting practice I still have many problems changing gears. Maybe it is because I have driven a manual transmission for the past 15 years and have developed a lot of bad habits. Maybe it is because I have no rythym. I keep grinding gears whether I go fast or slow, push in the clutch all the way or only a few inches. If I don't get it soon I may have to consider becoming an o/o so I can drive an automatic. Just kidding.

On a bright note, I passed my pre-trip inspection and air brake test today so now I can give my full attention to learning to shift. Backing in Virginia is very easy with just a straight line and a curve to do in order to test at DMV. I hear my mentor with teach me the other maneuvers.

Going to sleep on it and dream about backing now.

Is the info in the free or nearly free cdl training are up to date for 2013 or 2014

I just finished day 2 at Swift in Richmond, VA. Most of the information is correct...except, there are no more 2 week schools, and you don't need $150 down on day one. We started with 8 people in the class and lost 2 the first hour due to not having a hard copy of their learner's permit. The exception is PA which doesn't issue a hard copy. One of our guys is from north of Harrisburg. Three of our guys had to pay for a new physical due to not going to an approved facility. We had so much fun sitting for a couple of hours waiting on them. Even the instructor said today not to lease for at least a year and he was an o/o. If you have any other questions feel free to ask.

And by the way, nice thread title. When I read that I instantly thought Old School made the thread. I don't know why, but the thing that came to my mind first when I read your title was Old School. Funny how that happened..

Thanks. I think it was from Old School that I got the idea when he called us out about a month ago for hiding.

I have been reading every word on this site for months in order to make the right decisions for my future. Thanks to all of you who have unknowingly helped me. After thinking I was finally ready to take the cdl test I made an appt. to get my DOT physical. After waiting over a week, today was the day. Easily passed all phases except for bp. I have never had a problem before in my 53 years. The nice doctor told me to relax, I was getting passed and it was just a matter of for how long. I sat in the exam room and when the Tech came back and retook my bp her only comment was..."I don't know what you did, but congrats". I walked out with a 2 year cert. Then on to my local DMV to test there. My DMV closes at 5pm and when I checked in at 3:15 and told the clerk what test I wanted to take she gave me a funny look. At 4pm I found out why when I was called up to the counter to go over paperwork and have my picture taken (which I thought was a bit premature). I was taking general knowledge, combination, air brakes, tanker, and doubles/triples. This woman consulted with her boss and agreed I would have until 6pm to finish. Now I was really worried if I had underestimated these tests and now the pressure was on.After sitting down at the computer station, I took a deep breath and jumped in. Silly me, at 4:35 I was done and had passed all sections. I can do this...so far. I will begin training at the Swift Training Academy location here in Richmond on the 24th of this month if nothing changes.

Again, thanks for all of the encouraging posts and helpful information. If only I could get through the Hours Of Service(HOS) section in the High Road Training Program on this site. But, ignorance is bliss and I will keep plugging along. Brett, please reset my score on that section so I at least feel smarter. lol.

I too am new here. I have wanted to make this transition for over 10 years but have not been in an ideal situation to do it. I have taken most of the online course but am failing miserably at log times. I plan to start at Swift in Richmond, VA in 2 weeks. Very nervous about backing and hitting someone in a curve. Just want to make sure this is a good fit for me.