WHAT A GREAT BIG BUMMER !!!

As some of you know, I've been waiting for Schneider to give me the go-ahead to start school at a local community college about 10 minutes from my house.

Schneider HQ called today to say it's a no-go because after completing the school it takes 6-8 weeks to get in to DPS for the road test. I have to say I can believe it since Houston is a MAJOR transportation hub. They offered to send me to Minnesota for a faster turn-a-round. I'd have to pay for meals and personals and they don't pay during training.

Did a web search and there are plenty of small towns within 150 miles of here that would be easy to get in for the test, but that's probably not an option.

Any suggestions someone can throw at me? Other local companies would have the same problem.

Paid CDL Training Programs

Sorry to hear about schneider. Check out these other companies. Swift, prime and Cr england all run their own schools/training programs in different states which do testing right there, then you just need to visit the DMV in texas to get the CDL

As some of you know, I've been waiting for Schneider to give me the go-ahead to start school at a local community college about 10 minutes from my house.

Schneider HQ called today to say it's a no-go because after completing the school it takes 6-8 weeks to get in to DPS for the road test. I have to say I can believe it since Houston is a MAJOR transportation hub. They offered to send me to Minnesota for a faster turn-a-round. I'd have to pay for meals and personals and they don't pay during training.

Did a web search and there are plenty of small towns within 150 miles of here that would be easy to get in for the test, but that's probably not an option.

Any suggestions someone can throw at me? Other local companies would have the same problem.

Houston Community College Northeast does DPS testing at the school.

Unfortunately, Schneider has stopped using HCC for their training. I suppose I could pay for it myself and Schneider could reimburse me.

Thanks for the help.

I think your suggestion for taking the road test in smaller outlying towns is quite interesting. You might make a few phone calls to see what they say.

You could also consider booking the road test ahead of time so that you're already scheduled when the schooling is complete.

Yuuyo also had an excellent suggestion. Consider calling some truck driving schools in Texas to see if they'll let you test with them for a fee.

Finally, if all else fails, Apply For Paid CDL Training with the other companies and keep moving forward.

Unfortunately, Schneider has stopped using HCC for their training. I suppose I could pay for it myself and Schneider could reimburse me.

Thanks for the help.

Yeah, that's where I went last month. It was $3500, 6 weeks, Schneider does reimburse, and all manual. The first two weeks were boring as hell if you had your permit already though.

Thanks to all for the advice. After Yuuyo said what he did I called the HCC truck driving school and sure enough they DO give you your driving test on-campus. Makes me wonder why Schneider would drop them with the excuse that it takes too long to do the road test ??

Anyway, I still need to be trained to drive a big rig before I test out, so it looks like I'll sign up with HCC for the August 9 start date and let Schneider pay me back. I'll also be looking at other local carriers now.

If you go there, try to get Octavia or Jack to be your instructor on the range and streets because they're really good.

And bring Pablo some doughnuts in the morning.