Question:
Any of you older experinced guys can tell me if it is good or would be good for newbies.
I am going to start Mid Florida Tech college, a state school on Nov 1 st.
Its 360 hours for ALL, tuition,books,Dot physical,Drug test, and CDL license.
Cost is just under $1800.00, with programs available if you need them.
You have to get your learners permit, physical and drug test.(They said they
weren't wasting a week teaching this, we had to have it) before school, with ALL endorcements, except hazmat(being a state school they can't reqiure you get it) but recommend that you do. (I did).
Primarly they teach driving van, but do have you drive flatbeds,tankers and
doubles and loading and unloading to give you a basic knowledge. It seems to be a pretty will rounded course.
They said we will test for CDL during 5th week, (all are state certified examiners, and was told we wouldn't be your teacher that week but the examiners) and last 3 weeks is polishing your skills in backing,general operation of the trucks, and that ALL of US would have a MINIMUM of 1200 miles but closer to 1400 or 1500 miles driving the interstates, state roads and back roads, cities, whatever to help polish us for a company to hire.
A Mimimum of 10 students per course, 4 instuctors.
The equipment all seems to look good and fairly new (hey state money paying
the bill)
At orientation the instructor said, (I believe) was taking as many notes as I could, that they had approx 40 companies ? who came to them, to hire.
They the instuctors would meet with us and find out what we wanted in a driving job and try to point us to the varius companies which fitted our needs/wants. They did say if you had any problmes within 5 years, YOU would have a problem, 5 to 7 looking better, 7 to 10 not bad, after 10 probably pretty good, if not really bad, guns,violence,ect
If we wanted local, MAYBE with lots of luck and looking, state, maybe if we were real lucky, reginal, again maybe if we were real lucky, But to plan on over the road and if you want to get home every 2 weeks,douable but harder, Plan on 3 to 4 weeks minimum, best chances. The ones of you who really don't care and just want to drive 30-40-60 days, he had companies would love you.
They I belive have a total of 3 locations where they offer this, I also saw another
state school in the Tampa/St. Pete area who was offering almost the same thing, so I would guess the State is setting the courses to be approved by them.
Would recommend that any new wanna be driver, check into the state schools, it looks like you are going to get a WHOLE lot more training,miles and much
cheaper than the 5 to 6000 dollars I was quoted for Roadmaster and other
simular schools for a 3 week course.
If any questions or if you need want phone numbers and name to contact just let me know.

Answer:
Bradford-Union County tech school is another resource, also Washinton-Holmes Technical Center at Chipley, Fl.

Answer:
I went to Bradford/Union in N. Fl.
It is the same as the one you are looking into except a different location.
I would suggest that you talk to local companies in your area and ask if they will hire you after completing the course.
If you start local, at least you will learn to drive and know if driving is for you.
I run local. I drove for a local co. just to see if driving was for me.
Then i bought my own truck and after 6 mos. i bought a trailer.
I have been doing o.k.
Local is a job with all the benefits of home.
Big