America Truck Driving School In Corona, CA

Topic 3156 | Page 1

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Newbie's Comment
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This is the closest trucking school to my current job, which is a graveyard (overnight) shift. I called them about a week ago and found that of all the other locations in Southern California (ignoring driving schools in Los Angeles County because they are over 90+ miles away from me) this place is the most affordable; furthermore, I can come in on my own schedule, which means I could just come in once or twice a week if desired... Here's the problem, though: they only do 2 hour sessions a day. I can come in whenever during their business hours and fully expect to receive one-on-one training, which is great, but the 2 hour sessions are worrying me. The woman I spoke to over the phone said the training is thorough. I believe her, especially after reading some reviews online and not seeing too many negative ones. She also told me that if I were to only come in one day per week, say Saturday, I should be done in 6 weeks. One day/week for 6 weeks = 6 total days of training at 2 hours per session = 12 hours of total training. That doesn't seem like enough. I just get this feeling that whenever I do start applying for new jobs, I will be turned down because the training will seem too short. Any thoughts? Should I go through with this school? Will the low number of hours spent behind the wheel be detrimental in my search for a job? Sorry if this is in the wrong forum section. New user, obviously.

TWIC:

Transportation Worker Identification Credential

Truck drivers who regularly pick up from or deliver to the shipping ports will often be required to carry a TWIC card.

Your TWIC is a tamper-resistant biometric card which acts as both your identification in secure areas, as well as an indicator of you having passed the necessary security clearance. TWIC cards are valid for five years. The issuance of TWIC cards is overseen by the Transportation Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security.

Wine Taster's Comment
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I agree. I think the minimum "standard" for truck school is 160 hours. I may be wrong about that number. 12 hours does not seem to be nearly enough. Plus, you have no classroom time. What about pre - trip inspection. I would look at other options if you can.

Newbie's Comment
member avatar

I agree. I think the minimum "standard" for truck school is 160 hours. I may be wrong about that number. 12 hours does not seem to be nearly enough. Plus, you have no classroom time. What about pre - trip inspection. I would look at other options if you can.

The reason I have been considering it is because I work a 12 hour night shift currently, and this school is close to my job. I can go in a few hours before having to go to work. The woman from the school I spoke to over the phone said I can come in everyday if needed. It's entirely up to me, according to her.

Another thing is that I don't want to do OTR , so I am avoiding a company sponsored school. My wife and I have spoken about this quite a bit, and I'm 95% sure that if I can't find a local job after getting my CDL , I will just give up on the idea and go back to college. That's why the low $1400 school interested me. I have enough to pay that price through my savings; if things don't work out, just continue working my current job and start college up again. The money lost isn't overly significant, even though it did take me a long time to save it up.

CDL:

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:

  • Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
  • Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.

OTR:

Over The Road

OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.

Wine Taster's Comment
member avatar

Again, you will be really hard pressed to find a job with 30 or 40 hours of school. Most companies require you graduate from an accredited school. Those schools will be a minimum of 160 hours. If you want to go the course you describe, I would call the local companies in your area and ask them what they want to hire you.

HOS:

Hours Of Service

HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
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