New Guy Wishing Information On CA Driving Schools, As Well As Any Other State.
Topic 7307 | Page 1
Fresno has a few schools. But not far from you is Fontana, CA. Now that city is run by trucks and they have a handful to choose from over there. Fontana is without a doubt the trucking hub of Southern CA so you're bound to find a school that fits your needs there.
I would simply do Google searches of schools in cities near you. Call each school and get information from them.
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
Hi and welcome.
Check out Truck Driving Schools that link you can Search schools in your area... Now I no that a few Company-Sponsored Training have schools in Fontana ca. So check them out as well.... It sounds like you are looking for a private school our community college which is OK to so check out that first link I gave you... But if you want no upfront cost and a fast paced learning check out the second link.... Whatever you choose you should start the High Road Training Program so that way you will be ahead of everyone when you start school....
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.
Company-sponsored Training:
A Company-Sponsored Training Program is a school that is owned and operated by a trucking company.
The schooling often requires little or no money up front. Instead of paying up-front tuition you will sign an agreement to work for the company for a specified amount of time after graduation, usually around a year, at a slightly lower rate of pay in order to pay for the training.
If you choose to quit working for the company before your year is up, they will normally require you to pay back a prorated amount of money for the schooling. The amount you pay back will be comparable to what you would have paid if you went to an independently owned school.
Company-sponsored training can be an excellent way to get your career underway if you can't afford the tuition up front for private schooling.
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
Check out that link. It shows all the private schools in CA.
I know a guy, that i believe is an instructor at the Visalia school, but they do have one in Fresno,
His name is Bill Cox, at the Visalia school, tell him David Cochran sent ya, I didn't go to their school, but I know Bill personally, great guy. He also does recruiting for some of the companies in the area and up north in Lathrop.
Daniel, Scott, David...
Wow, thank you gentlemen...I didn't expect such quick replies!
Just after I posted my initial post, I went to the CA school link here on TT (I've visited that link prior to today, but this time I wrote all of the one's from Sacramento to Bakersfield (yeah, there are a lot near the L.A.-Fontana area), then I checked to see your replies, thanks guys!
Daniel..Thanks for that Link you posted, I'll be looking at it later today and I did notice Fontana area. I appreciate you letting me know that it's SoCal's spot, I'll keep that in mind.
Scott...Thanks for those links, I'm all over them! And, I downloaded the android app for CDL test questions Brett provided (thanks Brett!) and I will start the High Road Training as soon as I get home later today.
David...I totally appreciate the personal hook-up you gave me with Bill, I'll call him and tell him you recommended him...then fire some questions at him. I did see and write down Advanced Careers' info.
Thanks again guys!
I won't be able to post too often today, in a few minutes I'm off to Fresno on some personal errands. I'm gonna try and visit one of the schools there, If I get the time today.
Tons of appreciation and proud to be on this site,
SQ TierHog
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.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
By the way, I'll be watching Youtube from here on out. If you've got a favorite Youtube channel you watch that might suit me well, please let me know. I'm interested in anything that'll give me valuable insight out starting out (I don't even have my license...YET!). So, videos of schools, trucking '101', whatever. And, some of you folks gotta listen to podcasts, so, I'd be happy to have some suggestions come my way, so I can listen while I drive...a regular truck, that is. lol.
Okay, I gotta get out the door to Fresno.
Thanks to you all!
SQ TierHog
By the way, I'll be watching Youtube from here on out. If you've got a favorite Youtube channel you watch that might suit me well, please let me know. I'm interested in anything that'll give me valuable insight out starting out (I don't even have my license...YET!). So, videos of schools, trucking '101', whatever. And, some of you folks gotta listen to podcasts, so, I'd be happy to have some suggestions come my way, so I can listen while I drive...a regular truck, that is. lol.
Okay, I gotta get out the door to Fresno.
Thanks to you all!
SQ TierHog
Check out trucker Mike on YouTube I think it's wigwag productions
Welp,
Just got back from errand running in Fresno, CA. I didn't get to visit, didn't have time for that, but chatted on the phone with a gal from Major Express Trucking School, Fresno, CA. She explained the process they use and how quick they get you started training in a truck, etc.
David, I haven't called Bill yet, maybe today, definitely tomorrow. But, wow, what a nice website, ACI. Gonna look at that today, once I get my boys settled in (the after school pick up program, lol).
Scott...found Trucker Mike on Youtube, yeah, WigWag Productions. Thanks for the hook-up on him! Boy, from little bit of Youtube I saw regarding some Drivers posting some stuff they supposedly shouldn't have. Yikes. Not for me, I think I'll be the quiet one, listening and learning. :)
Drive safe everyone,
SQ TierHog
Welp,
Just got back from errand running in Fresno, CA. I didn't get to visit, didn't have time for that, but chatted on the phone with a gal from Major Express Trucking School, Fresno, CA. She explained the process they use and how quick they get you started training in a truck, etc.
David, I haven't called Bill yet, maybe today, definitely tomorrow. But, wow, what a nice website, ACI. Gonna look at that today, once I get my boys settled in (the after school pick up program, lol).
Scott...found Trucker Mike on Youtube, yeah, WigWag Productions. Thanks for the hook-up on him! Boy, from little bit of Youtube I saw regarding some Drivers posting some stuff they supposedly shouldn't have. Yikes. Not for me, I think I'll be the quiet one, listening and learning. :)
Drive safe everyone,
SQ TierHog
You can also check out trucker Mike here on this site he has a blog here type in trucker Mike in the Search engine on the top of this site
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Hi all!
I'd like to start off by thanking Brett for starting this 'place', and also to everyone here who has posted, answered and shared. Thank you all!
Like the topic reads, I'm a new guy to every aspect of trucking and am new to this wonderfully thought out, information packed website. I'm beginning my search for a school and wish to begin that search here in my home state of CA. Since I'm new here, I have spent much of my recent personal time reading posts and the beginner advice topics, such as general info on schools, the types of schools (sponsored or independent), and I am in the process of studying the offerings (posted on this website) of the companies that offer schools, what they provide, etc. However, I'd like to start with CA specific stuff first, then if not satisfied, I'll be willing to go out of state to find that great school. As many have advised here...school is of utmost importance if one is lookin' to 'drive truck'. That being written, if I've started a post that has been started elsewhere here, specific to what I'm posting about, please accept my apology and feel free to 'direct' me to that forum. :)
I feel that if I provide a little info on me, you folks might be able to give me a bit more of a tailored response. So...
I reside in CA, near the Fresno area. As I wrote, I'm willing to travel out of state to a great school if CA doesn't have a school that would be considered by you folks, to be top-notch instruction. While I don't have money to waste, I do have the funds to pay for my schooling. I don't have to suffice with some company's offerings, or sacrifice getting quality training because I'm in desperate need. I'm fortunate to not (at this moment!) be in that position. I have read here that there are some companies that will provide the school, however I must contractually promise that I'll drive for them for a specified amount of time, usually a year. Now, I'd love to save some cash like the next person, so I've got no problem with obligating myself to a company for a specified time to save me the tuition (I gotta drive for someone, right?). BUT, I'm not desperate to get a job (thank goodness) because I've recently retired and have a decent income and benefit package from that retirement. That being said, I can afford (time...and money-wise, if need be) to be choosy with who I train with and get employed by.
While I wish to hear replies from anyone who wants to share where they got their top-notch training (please share!), I'm hoping I'll get replies from you folks who've actually had experience (good or bad...especially bad!) with schools in CA, or at least you know or have known someone who had good things (or like I wrote, 'bad' experience, as well) regarding a CA school.
Can't think of anything else to share that would help you folks give me a tailored response....oh, yeah, one more thing I could add...As far as what type of driving....I'm open to OTR (I think that'd be a great starting experience for me) and any other type of driving and I'm willing to do physical work (helping dockers load, unload, whatever would get me in and out of their place!), however not so physical that part of my driving job is that it be demanded that I load and unload most everyday. I'll save that constant, daily activity for the younger folks (I'll be turning 52 soon). But, again, I am willing and definitely able, to get physical when my doing so would help get the job done. Hope that all makes sense. :)
Well, thanks in advance to any help you all provide me.
Most respectfully,
SQ TierHog
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.
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.