Question:
Can anyone tell me, which is more credible, A Community College, or a private driving school?
The schools course is 8 weeks long, its not PTDI certified, has job placement.
The community college is 6 weeks long, its not PTDI certified either. does not have job placement.
Im not really concerned about the Job placement, and the cost of the training is not a factor.
They are the only schools that are local and I have to stay local. Im still in the service and am planning to work while im going to school.
Im just curious as to which school would be more credible to a future employer if its not one the school has job placement with.
Both courses offer night driving and 45-50 hours actual driving time, all the administrative stuff (To much to list) both seem to have a good curriculum.
Any advice?
Ike

Answer:
ike910: I struggled with that one too for several weeks also, until I contacted a Veteran's Rep. with the Texas Workforce Commission --- he told me that the Houston Community College was the only place in this area that offered the PTDI in it's course.
Other than that ...
Schools With PTDI Training
This Will Give You A More Comprehensive Search On Schools
BOL to ya!

Answer:
Definitely the community college. It's cheaper and (in my experience at least) the instructors are more interested in putting quality drivers on the road versus a private school that just wants your money. Not saying all private schools are bad, but there seems to be more problems with the schools than the community colleges.
Also, it doesn't really matter much to an employer WHERE you attended school. They are pretty much interested only in your test scores.
Since you're still in the military, don't forget to apply for TA (tuition assistance) which will pay for 75% of your tuition while you're still on active duty. The rest can easily be picked up by the GI Bill and whatever educational benefits your home state might offer.
Try to stay at least a year at whatever company you get hired on with. Once you get that 1 year of continuous service, you will have many more options available to you.
http://www.subway.com

Answer:
Make sure the community college is an accredited college and you'll do fine.
While there are some carriers that will take students that have attended only a PTDI school I don't think you'll have that big a problem.
I am looking into a school here in Fort Lauderdale that isn't PTDI but is nationally accredited. The recruiters I've spoken to say that will not be a problem, they take students from this school all the time.

Answer:
GeneThePoolLifeguard: Just saw your profile and noticed you're a former Marine too!
http://tinyurl.com/1w6f

Answer:
The only good marine is a submarine.

Answer:
Thanks to All.
I know about the T/A Gene, in fact im waiting right now to see if its going to 100%. That will be a big deciding factor. (rather pay 25% 0f $850.00 rather than 25% of $5000.00) The only thing I may not like about the Community College is the math and English pre-requisites.
As I stated, I would love to go to a PTDI school, but im at a disadvantage in my area. because I need to work while going to school. and the only 2 schools local are the 2 I mentioned. Neither of them are CDL Mills by no means. Thanks again, Piks, Gene and Cessna. I appreciate your advice.
Ike


Answer:
certification. As long as the school has some kind of accreditation nationaly you won't run into problems. As another poster said, test scores are important. Take lots of notes. Ask lots of questions. Use a highlighter on the printed materials you get to drive home the important stuff. Don't be a slacker in school. You'll see others there that'll make you wonder why they even attend. Don't be one....BOL
Character: Doin the right thing when nobody's lookin..JC Watts

Answer:
Paladin: ROTFLMAO --- you must have been in the ... errrr ... Anchor Clankers too???
http://tinyurl.com/1w6f

Answer:
KJ: What you say about slackers in school is right on target! I spoke with an Instructor here at the Houston Community College and that's what he said; adding that "about 60% fail because they don't pay any attention in class".
That makes newbies, like myself, wonder why the hell they even bother going to school if they really don't want to learn everything pertaining to the new ways that Trucking is done these days???
http://tinyurl.com/1w6f

Answer:
Another thing to ask the community collage is how much they go over the pretrip and the dmv written test. I went to a private school( 4500.00) and they basicaly gave us the awnsers to the written test. When i went to the dmv to to the driving test alot of guys were bombing because they could'nt do the pretrip and other things. My school was'nt a ptdi but only 1 carrier cared about that( crst). I'm glad I paid the 4500 because the school made sure i passed . A little food 4 thought.

Answer:
Thanks for the info.
I have already started studying. I read and did the courses in the Barons "How to prepare for the CDL" book, and I am currently reading the Virginia Commercial Drivers Manual. I want to be prepared when I get to school. I was out of the Service for a couple years and worked as a Truck mechanic, so im pretty up to speed on nomenclature and what to look for on the pre-trip. It sounds kinda corny but I want to do the best I can in school. I think the backing and shifting will be my biggest challenge. Thanks again for the help
Ike

Answer:
Also log onto www.cristcdl.com
It is a web site that has online practice exams for the CDL test.

Answer:
At the risk of sounding way out of line, cessna, I have not only logged on thier, but have taken all the online tests, but printed them and I am using them as as study guides. I am going to get a Hazmat, Tanker and Double and Triple endorsement on my license.

Answer:
The classroom part is very through, the instructors offer one and one, and we have been told that some companies will accept the college training as one year of experience. And before we relcoated the college would call every once in awhile to see how things were going for Crazy Red. So that was a nice personal touch.