Question:
After talking with friends of mine over the past few years, I have become very biased on my opinions of Truck Driving Schools (or so they're called)
These so-called schools charge anywhere from $1,500 up to $4,500 dollars! And that all depends on just how sh*tty the school is.
Take some advice from an old guy! (me)
Go find a Community College or a Technical College that offers Truck Driving as a course! The people I personally know that have gone this route, have been extremely satisfied with the courses!
From what I've heard, a CC course or TC course beats the hell outta them "You can be a truck driver in 3 weeks" courses!
Piloting 80,000 lbs. of truck and cargo down the road isn't easy by any means! These A-holes that get the Gov't Grant Money to "give you an education" are nothing more than a "Get Rich Quick" scheme! (for them!!!)
Please do yourself a favor! Do some research BEFORE enrolling in ANY truck Driving School!
Good Luck!!
*******************************
"I've always been crazy, but it's kept me from going insane!" (from Waylon Jennings)
"The feel of the wheel delivers me, from a life where I don't wanna be." (from Joe Stampley)

Answer:
The school I attended was at a community college. Well the college is the host, but the school it self is SAGE. It is a 4 week course. Needless to say, not a happy camper tonight with it. They are going to give me a retest, but not after a fight on my part.
Important questions to ask a school before attending.
1) What is their pass rate.
2) What is their testing policy, will the pay for a retest if you fail.
3) Will they provide the equipment for a retest.
4) Try to catch a student away from the school and ask them their opinion about the school.
5) If the school goes to a third party testing facility, go and visit that testing facility. Ask them what is the pass rate from the school you are considering.
6) READ THE FINE PRINT!!!
7) If the school says something in their literature, hold them to it.
8) (not a question to ask just some common sense advise) Remember these "schools" are a buisness, their primary goal is to make money. They are a service company. You pay them your money for a service to train and prepare you to attain your CDL.
That is the short list. I will be updating my "first post from a newbie" soon with details from my ordeal with school. Another thing for all newbies to remember, the majority of the schools are only going to get you to the point of having a CDL. In the USMC they refered to it as "knowing enough to be dangerous". I am going to be upfront with my trainer when the time comes, and let him know that all I have is a CDL. A CDL does not make you a safe driver, it only entitles you to operate the vehicle. The real learning process begins when you climb up in that truck with a trainer not sitting in a class room or driving on a range. On a range those cones do not pull out in front of you and slam on their brakes while talking on a cell phone.
Buzzdog

Answer:
Make sure that the CC or TC school is provided by the school itself and not some "oh yeah, we'll sponsor it for some cash" scam they got going on.
When I had dinner and conversation with Buzzdog the other night, he told me some of the things that the school did. Let me tell you, some of it was down right frickin' scary!
Buzzdog makes some darn good points on his post above.
PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT YOU SIGN! (before you sign it!)
*******************************
"I've always been crazy, but it's kept me from going insane!" (from Waylon Jennings)
"The feel of the wheel delivers me, from a life where I don't wanna be." (from Joe Stampley)


Answer:
Basically I agree with Hoss. Not all truck schools are equal, and you can not base how good a school is by how much or how little it charges, or on how fancy the rigs are, or even how fresh the coffee is in the break room. You have to really look into the school.
If you are considering a school check out the info at truckschoolsusa.com.
On the outside of it this site will appear to be a big advertisement for PTDI certified schools, but if you read through all the info you will find a lot of good tips on what to look for when choosing a driving school.
Only two things I know of are infinite. The universe and human stupidity, and I am not real sure about the universe.
Answer:
Listen to 'em newbies.
May I add a couple of things please?
Talk to as many drivers at a large Truck Stop as possible.
Visit terminals if possible.
Talk some more.
Visit some more.
The more real world input you can get, the better.
Old "salty dogs" really do love to talk. Hell, some of 'em will probably chew your ear off.
RookieTrucker

Answer:
Originally posted by rookiehelper:
Listen to 'em newbies.
May I add a couple of things please?
Talk to as many drivers at a large Truck Stop as possible.
Visit terminals if possible.
Talk some more.
Visit some more.
The more real world input you can get, the better.
Old "salty dogs" really do love to talk. Hell, some of 'em will probably chew your ear off.
Make sure you take plenty of notes!!!
*******************************
"I've always been crazy, but it's kept me from going insane!" (from Waylon Jennings)
"The feel of the wheel delivers me, from a life where I don't wanna be." (from Joe Stampley)


Answer:
Where was the Sage you attended. It sounds an awful lot like Palm Beach Community College.
The guy I spoke to when I went up there talked a really good story. He seemed to have a lot of articles and literature that praised the company "strategically placed". Some of the things I knew were pure B.S. Seemed to put a lot of emphasis on lease purchases....especially with CR England.
Great advice, though. I learned the hard way when I took flying lessons. I was sold on a smooth talker with brand new airplanes instead of the better school with old planes. After I signed for my loan I found out the owner wasn't even a pilot, but an insurance salesman. A very costly lesson on my part!

Answer:
Before entering into a school check with companies to see if you have a chance of getting hired..The schools will tell you no problem but that is not always true.
If you are under the age of 23 your jobs are limited
If you have a felony
If you have alot of points on your licenses
If you have alot of accidents
Your chances are even more limited
If you are one that induldges in illegal drugs and when you take that first drug test if you test positive you can almost kiss your driving career goodbye.
Also depending on where you live can also limit the companies that will hire you. If you are to far off their lanes of travel.
All of the above are things to consider and you can always apply with a company before you attend school to see if they will prehire you..Some companies also don't except from all schools.
Theses are just few things to check into before you give a school alot of money and then you find you can't get a job

Answer:
The SAGE school I atteneded was in Muncie IN, Ivy Tech State College.

Answer:
Can I say one thing?
Central Tech - Drumright OK
Fantastic School
$2300 out of state, you supply your food, they give you a place to stay.
I enjoyed it!
Research it.

Answer:
In my post I said to look for a school at a CC or TC. I still stand by that!
Just make sure that it's an actual program that's run by the school itself! Not one that they let "set up shop".
*******************************
"I've always been crazy, but it's kept me from going insane!" (from Waylon Jennings)
"The feel of the wheel delivers me, from a life where I don't wanna be." (from Joe Stampley)


Answer:
I must Agree....about Central Tech, in Drumright,Ok. (eggs-ellent school)

Answer:
There are folks who will thouroughly check out the contract to buy a stereo on credit yet will blindly sign on the dotted line for a smooth talker at some truck school.
Over all, the community colleges offer better training. BUT they need to be carefully checked out. Otherwise, send all that $$$ to me and I will send you a certificate of completion (good for no job whatsoever).
People, this is a major step in your lives. Spend the time and do your homework.

Answer:
A friend of mine went through a program at Isothermal Community College. I thought she was kidding when she told me the name, but it is real. It has a satisfaction guarantee, one-on-one behind the wheel instruction, and PTDI certified. The instructors took their time and gave her all the training time she needed.
http://www.isotherml.edu/truck
She really enjoyed the program and felt it gave her a good job.
Just my opinion.

Answer:
Kiteline, just wanted to let you know your link didn't work.
Another little add on ..go hang out at the school for a few hours if possible see what takes place during the training day. Look at what they teach you in are they running outdated trucks,day cab's with short trailers? See where they take the students when they go out on their road trips. Open your eyes and your ear's when you check these places out it's your money make sure you get all you can out of it.
I'm much to young to feel this damn old!!
Randy