Company CDL Program Rattled My Confidence.

To start off, I have been looking to get my CDL for a while. I signed up with one of the company ran CDL programs in another state that was fast paced (only 3 weeks of training then on the 4th, everyone tests). I have never driven a tractor trailer in my life, the only thing of size i have maneuvered was a 26 foot U-hual; for some background. The first day there we did all paperwork then the second day all the other groups were doing pre trip and getting a feel for the trucks. The trainer I had brought us straight to the street and he didn't train, he stayed quiet until you did something wrong then he yelled at you. He yelled to pay attention to stuff he didn't even teach you, he contradicted himself a lot as well. I am not soft by any means but I did not feel this was appropriate. I tried to switch trainers but was not able to. Needless to say, I left the program and pretty bummed at that. I want to continue my trucking journey at a proper school but this situation has left me a little rattled. All in on, i survived 3 hours driving with live traffic, alley docked and drove on the highway.

any advice? thank you

What company?

How long were you at school before you quit? You do realize that unless there was a grace period of some sort, you have to pay the tuition for the school you left.

What do you consider a "proper school"? Your stating, "i survived 3 hours driving with live traffic, alley docked and drove on the highway" makes it appear you think doing so was a major accomplishment. You are going to need to toughen up emotionally a bit if you plan on going to another school. The instructor you get may be as rough as the instructor you had, or worse. There is a reason why instructors may be tough under the collar. You are going to have to plan to adjust to it if you plan on succeeding at ANY school.

This story reminds me of my AAA tow truck instructor when I first got into towing. I didn't know my ass from a hole in the ground about operating a wrecker or a flat bed rollback. He was a former drill sergeant and tank operator for the military. I was a deer in headlights until the lightbulb went off. I received the tough love treatment to the full extent. I went home some nights wondering if I was even going to make the cut after 3 weeks of training. I told myself I was going to prove this guy wrong and make it happen. At the end of my training, he had installed 4 months worth of tow knowledge in my brain in that three week period and I actually went on to have a very successful career with AAA prior to my CDL. George and I are friends these days now six years later. And I actually called to thank him for teaching me how to back properly after I just recently got my CDL. Without that experience, who knows if I would have passed my CDL skills test the first time as I had other issues to work out on the road. During my CDL training, I had this guy Dave who was a pull-no-punches dude but a total class act. He got me through the driving and shifting problems I had.

Anyway, the point is, rather than quit, put your warface on, and go prove these guys wrong. You are going to face a lot of challenges on the road which include rough personalities. There is nothing wrong with finding another school, but keep in mind that professional driving, be it towing, trucking, hell, delivering mail is going to come with people who are rough around the edges but mean well.

Just my honest two cents. Keep at it and shut them down with persistence!