My Trucking Training Diary From The Beginning To The End

I just started my own truck driving career by passing my first permit test. I want to use this forum to let you know about my progress. Maybe, it will be beneficial or at least interesting.

I am in Texas living in El Paso, TX.

First update: 12 August, 2014

1. Yesterday, I passed the Combination Vehicle Exam with 95% for the Class A permit. All the question were familiar because I did the High Road Practice Test on this website. The only question I missed not because I did not know it, but because I did not read carefully.

2. I am going to take the second test (Rules and Regulations) tomorrow. 3. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, these two tests are needed to get the permit. The other written tests are part of the actual CDL Test. The permit only cost $11. I have 90 days time after passing the test tomorrow.

Update 12 August, 2014:

1. I have decided to attend the FFE Academy in Ft Worth, Tx. I just sent my application to them. 2. How long should I be waiting until I call them to ask them about the status of my application? 3. I also noticed that the application form did not have any FFE logo on it, but KLLM. Whenever, I click on the apply button on the FFE website, I get the application form of KLLM. Has KLLM taken over FFE? If yes, was it a friendly or a hostile take over? Does the FFE Academy still exist? 4. If FFE Academy does not work out, the next candidate would be Stevens Academy in Dallas or Swift Academy in San Antonio. 5. The second option would be to attend the El Paso Community College Truck Driving School who allied with Mesilla Valley Training Institute and then start my on-the-job training with Averitt Express. They hire recent graduates and Mesilla Valley Training Institute is one of the schools they approve. They require from the recent graduates to attend course with 240 hours of instruction. If I pass the CDL Tests I am eligible to start one of their Student Driver Programs. If I get financial aid for the El Paso Community College, I will do this program, but if FFE Academy responds quickly and invite me then I will go there. 6. Other options if nothing else works are Prime Inc, Con-Way Freight, or Knight/Squire Transportation.

Update 13 August 2014:

1. I just passed the second test for the Texas CDL A Permit. 2. The Texas Special Requirement Test I passed with 85%. 3. I now have the Texas Learners Permit. 4. I have 90 days time in order to take and pass the three remaining written tests and the skills tests. 5. The three written CDL written tests are General Knowledge, Pre-Trip, and Air Brakes. 6. The skills test are backing and the road test and the air brake test.

I was told at the DMV that I need to do an eye exam and get glasses. I barely passed the 20/40 vision test, but companies require 20/30. I need that to be done before I start any school or training.

How much do eye exams usually cost? How much do glasses cost?

The recruiter from FFE just contacted my and told me that she is interested in giving me a career. I am not yet hired, but I am confident.

Update 19 August 2014:

Prior to arriving at the FFE Academy and starting my training September 1st, I plan to have the following done:

1. I have decided to do my eye exam this week and then get my glasses. 2. Next week, I am going to take all the remaining written exams: General Knowledge Test, Air Brake Test, Pre-Trip Test. 3. I going to work on my fitness. 4. Documents and papers

Update 19 August 2014:

I have been invited to attend the FFE Academy. Officially, I will commence the school 8 September 2014.

Quality Drivers (Celadon) contacted me and confirmed that they accept me for school. I am going to start probably 8 September, 2014.

Quality Drivers (Celadon) contacted me and confirmed that they accept me for school. I am going to start probably 8 September, 2014.

What happened to FFE? and yes KLLM did take them over.

I liked FFE Academy, but my preference was Celadon's school. They had not contacted me. However, they immediately sent me a Confirmation Letter and accepted me right away. I also prefer to begin my career with hauling dry van instead of temperature controller van.

Basically, Celadon was quicker in their replies to my application. FFE still wanted some more documents. Celadon has a terminal in my hometown while KLLM/FFE doesn't and Celadon has more customers in my hometown. That means that they bring freight to my hometown.

There are more advantages over FFE Academy:

1. Celadon pays for three meals a day while FFE provides two meals a day.

2. Celadon does not charge any administration fees.

3. Celadon pays the CDL Test while FFE requires me to bring $70 for the CDL Test.

4. Quality Drivers have a Self-Paced Program. The minimum of school training is three week; however, if someone needs three months to pass their CDL Test, they will give that time. FFE will send you home if you don't pass the CDL Test. I am not planning to take that long, but I like this approach.

5. I have never been in Laredo, TX. This is a chance to explore this place.

Yesterday, I got my Class A Licence. In Texas, I need to have the Class A Driver's Licence before I am eligible for the CDL testing.

In order to get the Class B you just need to pass the Texas Special Requirement Test. It is a test similar to the Rules and Regulations Exam from the TruckingTruth High Road Practice Tests, but for Texans.

In order to turn Class C into Class A, I need to pass Texas Special Requirement Test and the Combination Vehicle Test.

Class A allows me to drive private Combination Vehicles, but not Commercial Combination Vehicle or any other Commercial Truck.

This is the last post in this thread. I have another thread where I will write down my reports as soon my training begins.