Question:
HI, I was curious about the CDL schools and what they teach and how much driving does a person get? I have had my class A for two years now but I guess I learned the hard way? I was given a truck to use by my ex. who is a driver and he just said here learn how to drive, I drove that damn truck (77 cabover ) for six months without another driver and finally learned how to, I did ask alot of questions and then I would hop in the truck and figure it out, and just read the test book for my test. I always wanted to know what all they teach, since Im sure there is alot I still dont know even though Ive been working as a driver for past couple years, I think I cheated myself by not going to school.
don't understand

Answer:
Yes, you may have cheated yourself by not going to a driving school. Maybe check with your area Community Colleges to see if they offer a Truck Drivers School or some type of a "refresher course". Overall, these would be better than a (trucking) company run 3 week course or their equivelant to a refresher course. A CDL mill will just push you through with only the slightest basic knowledge of how to handle a big truck.
Since you've been driving and have "the basics" down, just keep practicing to be as professional as you can. By that I mean, be courtious to other drivers on the road and drive defensively. A little common sense goes a long way.
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"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:
No, you have not cheated yourself. Yes you have cheated some over rate finance company. Schools teach what you have already learned. Such things as how to drive a truck and keep it in your lane, turning without tearing up your tires, backing into 3 or 4 types of backs, shifting, how to do a PTI. What else is there to really learn? If you have passed your skills test and it looks like you have then you have already learned what a school teaches. Going to school now would be a waist, you are already far ahead of any newbies going to school.
Schools simply teach the basic stuff. Their goal is to get you aquainted enough with driving that you can pass the skills test and then be able to learn with a company. It is the company trainers that really teach you how to drive. Actually they teach you how to be an OTR driver. Driving is driving. Living in a truck and managing time, money etc is what you really learn with a trainer along with sharpening your skills.
If your tearing up the tranny, hiting curbs all day long and backing into everything except what you want you may need a school. If not and things are going well then, why? With 2 years experience you are already hireable as an experienced driver.
"Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of all who threaten it"

Answer:
thanks for both comments, I have driven both dump and freight. And I learned while I was driving what LTL was or where to set chains, on how to write in a log book or do a grocery list, at times I feel like Im in it over my head trying to understand some of the lingo and not look to stupid. Did the schools teach you all that or do you learn like I did. My driving skills are damn good except my backing which still needs improvement.
don't understand

Answer:
I don't know from personal experience but from the newbies that I have trained and the couple of schools that I went to to talk to newbies, They really don't do much. They only show you enough to pass the driving test and get the CDL..
Some of the schools also required that you had your permit before you even got to them..
At the same time they also knew the DMV guys and what they required to pass you..I know of a few people who did not even have to back to get their CDL and very few even did a Pre-Trip.
The biggest part of the training really comes from your trainer when you get hired on with a company as a newbie, and if you don't have alot of experience then the companies will require that you have the schooling, mainly for insurance reasons.
As far as the lingo goes that is not teached in schools. You can do a search on trucking terms and I know you will find alot of them. Some was just recently brought up in the family room.
Pratice is the best thing for learning to back and any other question that you might have can 9 out of 10 times be answered here.
Heck after 20+ years I still have bad backing days..
some terms
[This message was edited by Little Red on May 13, 2003 at 18:03.]