Coming fresh out of school and going down steep hill with 80,000lbs on my ass… damn that shit was scary

CDL school told me flat out they were only teaching me to pass the test and it was the carriers job to train me to do the job.

Just like a marriage license will not prepare you for marriage.

You learn hands on like any job . U get better over time

True, I got my CDL in April, only know enough to pass the test, still struggle with backing, so I learn most of it from the other drivers that are willing to help at our terminal.

Well said brother 28 + years and I still learn every day.

CDL school teaches you how to drive a semi with an empty trailer not fully loaded

@baileyquick6

Жыл бұрын

At our school, we took a partly loaded 30 odd foot dump trailer out sometimes. We also took out a van trailer loaded with tires at times as well. Really appreciated getting a feel for those weights on the open road, especially BEFORE starting my trucking career.

Most older drivers that really know how to drive will tell you that they are still learning 30, 40, or 50 years later. Learn to stand up to your company or shippers. If something isn’t legal, don’t let them make you do it. That means both how you drive and your load. Keep up with regulations. Remember your CDL is valuable. Treat it that way!

First thing my trainer said to me fresh out of school: "Everything they taught you at Pro Training Center...throw that shit out the window! You're in the real world now son"

I just started trucking a few weeks ago. I went to road master in ohio. I got in free thanks to amazon and it was a 1 month program. I knew what I was getting into. 1 month barely got me through the test as we could barely practice as they kept adding more and more people. One thing I had to keep in mond is that regardless of how stressed you are, stay calm and respectful

I am in a CDL school right now and I am glad that one thing besides Pre-Trip and Post-Trip that gets repeated is "This will prepare you for the CDL tests once you past that only then will you learn how to be a trucker.".

ALL FACTS NO LIES TOLD ! Nothing can prepare you for I-70 in the winter time but experience!

I was fortunate to have great trainers, but I was also fortunate to have been a 3rd generation professional driver. The first time I drove a commercial vehicle (on private property), I was 14. Listening to the old-timers is a good idea.

Treat your CDL like gold that’s what I was always told

It’s very true the CDL school I went to was crap failed my test 2 times because of the skills portion of the test was able to pass it on my 3rd attempt. When you get to the trucking company at the mercy of the trainer to actually teach you how to be a proper truck driver unless they just use you has a steering wheel Holder

Had mines CDL Class A since 1988. Learn something new all the time

Well said! 1) protect your CDL by being safe; 2) protect your CDL by being healthy; protect your CDL by driving for a reputable company that takes care of its drivers as their #1 asset--conscientious drivers. There are too many rookie fools driving and too many shippers couldn't care less about who delivers their goods.

I’m just starting out and I listen to the older guys they hold all the knowledge and secrets of the road

That's exactly right, Although the teacher that taught our log book class, was an old timer, (he'd been driving for 40+ years) told us, that as soon as he thought he knew everything, the truck would kick his ass again. So this carrier is an ongoing education.

Well said my friend and hello from Winnipeg🇨🇦 land off the potholes and traffic lights !

@makotohanazawa6560

Жыл бұрын

never been to winnipeg but land of potholes traffic lights really got me😂

Ty the truth! I have much respect for the veteran truck drivers..one of 50 years helped me out with my electric line and He told me just that.. "protect your cdl"

All depends on what school you attend to and if you actually make an effort to learn. I went to AIT in Phoenix AZ and here I am 23 years later. True, they don't teach you everything, but trucking is dynamic, there's a lot happening all the time and you just keep learning new stuff every trip.

10-4 Keep on TRUCKING, be safe

I learned more from this channel than I learned in truck school that's for sure.love your stories

It all begins your first day on the road. Each day is a new adventure. Be safe out there.

1000% agree. I'm in school now and it's basically just cramming for the test.

This is so true. I am a mechanic on trucks and I had no idea that some drivers know nothing about trucks and that makes my job difficult trying to diagnose issues. It's a frustrating thing to deal with on my end.

Majority of older drivers are cranky assholes. The moment you approach them they will instantly start laughing. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve encountered very nice drivers since I started.

It's amazing how many don't get it, CDL school is different from truck driver training. Even truck driving classes don't teach every type of truck drivingng jobs. Flat bed, dry van, reefer, tank cars, and etc all require different knowledge. The CDL tests doesn't even test on the most basic of things that truck driver need to know, like hours of service and log requirements.

When I started trucking in 1966, I was told to get with the old timers, and ask questions and LISTEN. I did that, but the kids today don't want to listen, and they make mistakes that sometimes kill them

Finally! Everyone’s Thinking it… He’s just Saying it!!!

Facts! And students do not research to have realistic expectations.

Im super grateful for the company that is training me and the senior drivers there too

I used to be a company driver. Then I realized why am I full filling someone else’s dreams, goals and ambitions when I can make my own come true. I became an owner op. And never looked back. Yes responsibilities change but so does the money.

CDL school only trains you enough to pass your test, 90's backing, offsets, cornering and pre trip. But it was the best thing I ever did.

How can a company put 2 drives together to team up with only 2 hundred hours of training between the 2 and expect them to be safe? Oh wait CR England so they can low pay there drivers

I totally agree!. I’ve been driving solo for a week..and boy this is no joke! 😅

I agree. I was a truck driver for a farm before I ever got my CDL. Farm tags, 18yrs old, no CDL, but it was in my blood as I'm a third generation truck driver. Then I went to a small school and used their 95 Western Star to get my CDL at age 19. I'm still all ears to all the stories or lessons you experienced drivers have for me, and I learn something new out here every day.

Im a firm believer in learning on the job. Thats how I learned to work on cars and drive trucks. 👍🏼

old timers will be your best resource!

If anybody wants to become a truck driver I suggest you to start as a yard jockey! Once you know how to manouver and back up those trailers you will be ready to be a truck driver no sweat!

When I asked my instructor at the CDL school how do I couple and uncouple the trailer he told me to look at KZread videos.

First thing my MELT instructor said is we are teaching you to pass a test not be a Trucker. Said if I was teaching you to be a trucker we would go get a load and head to Vancouver

I was baffled by what little they actually taught us after I graduated. Basically all they do is make sure you can kind of shift good enough to move the truck, and make you learn three different backing maneuvers. By now I've learned more from old drivers than anything else.

WELL SAID. HELLO FROM MIAMI BEACH FLORIDA.

These are facts!!!! My CDL head instructor first words out of his on the first day of class. We are not here to teach you how to drive a commercial vehicle. We are here to teach you how to pass the CDL test

Swift drivers have entered the chat

Not always true. I was in a class of 4 and our instructor didn’t take us on the highways. He had us drive in tight areas through some towns and most of the lanes were only 9 foot across as we went along the coast. And I’m thankful he did as my first job I’m delivering into the hills and mountains into mostly small dealerships

I agree but, not all companies are the same. I got my CDL with Prime inc and now driving with a trainer for at least 30,000 miles before I am on my own.

@jimmysmith773

Жыл бұрын

That's where I got mine through if you got a good trainer it will help you & you should get through the 30000 quick it's both parts that get your miles but you will have to learn on your own also and don't ride in the middle lane keep right unless you have to be in another lane I've almost got my year in now be safe out there

@Giraves

Жыл бұрын

30k miles with a trainer?? That sounds horrible

Damn right! Shit was crazy the first 6 months

I went to a CDL school in Miami, I spent thousands of dollars, and had to learn the hard way by tipping a trailer over full of sugar beets. Now I know how to take a corner when fully loaded...

EXACTLY what I did!! Only I rode with a friend on and off at least a dozen rounds plus a few other drivers. And EVERY one told me while in his truck i would do things HIS way because that's what's been working for him. And to take away the best and leave the rest. Served me well on my first runs into the cities, over the passes, the fog, rain, ice, heat and darkness. I THANK those men for saving my life!!

After over 9 years of driving.. I completely agree 👍.

Well I went to national training in FL.we had 2 clicks ones that kept talking and others played attention and very first company I received a SAFETY AWARD in my first year Kept it clean no DOT marks no accidents no nothing.alsp passed 2 level. 1 inspections and level 2's for 31 yrs 100% clean for 31 yrs. I earned the title proffesional driver. Alot of schools I do agree with Steve.

I learned from the old school drivers and it’s made me a great driver! Just gotta get out there and learn, sometimes the hard way lol

my school said that too getting a cdl and being a trucker are 2 different things ,

true to a point. our class time was actually pretty good. they taught us log books, laws, load limits, scales, lots of usefull info to give us a little head start. but limited on the driving portion, just straight line, offset, and parallel parking. I wanted to go over 90° backing, but there just making us proficient enough for testing on the driving side.

I tell my students the same thing, but unlike other schools, we do not teach how to pass the test. I go thru all the required FMCSA subject matter with the reminder that they must study for the CDL test separately! I repeat it ad nauseum because the student will fail the written if they don’t study on their own.

Yeah you need on the road training after the CDL school. Preferably OTR and if you get lucky enough do it during the winter months.

Got my license through a school, but the best knowledge I ever received was from my father and grandfather . 3rd generation driver , been doing it over 10 years now

I learned stuff by asking older guys and on my own

I got out a school 6 months ago and been driving ever since. I like to tell people school doesn’t teach you how to drive truck. It teaches you to not kill people when trucking

I agree with you I really do but the problem is for every good truck driver there’s two bad ones that will either not want to help you or will give you the wrong information purposely because they assume you’re trying to take their job or their position when in reality, there’s enough work for everybody and your position as a driver just like anybody else’s so thanks for the heads up

I absolutely agree. It's so ass backwards that they encourage new drivers to go OTR then local. Should be the other way around. Driving regional/local is one thing but OTR is a whole other beast

@pfox068

Жыл бұрын

Problem is most people don't want a OTR job Absolutely no life!

Absolutely right about this message!

I've spoken to and trained noobs who think they are pros. Remain humble, aware, and eager to learn. Oh, and watch the Smart Trucking channel!

I am an attorney. Until about 1990, you could graduate from law school, pass the bar, and have no clue how to talk to a client or file court documents. Many law schools now have clinics where you actually help people and go to court with them and your attorney professor.

Early morning I was delivering propane. Well the rain started freezing on the back roads. Called the boss and said bringing the truck in, it's not safe to be on the roads. Told him it's my license and cdl's on the line

Drove from '74 to ' 04. 3 million miles. Saw and learned new shit every day. Miss it but got out in time😅

Truer words have never been spoken. As a new driver I heartily thank you for all your valuable and sage advice.

just like passing a regular driving test doesn’t prepare u for driving.(especially in NYC).

I have found the worse schools are those in "trucking companies". All they are looking for is someone to fill a seat and they seem to put team runs on trainers instead of solo training runs

YES!!!! SO, true!!! That is why your trainer is so important!!

Funny, I drove truck before the cdl. Was called a chauffeur license.

Great advice. Spoken like a true elder statesman!!! Awesome

Well said. I can relate. I took a melt program.

Omg thank you so much. Injuat went thru it. I was driving a log truck for a few months b4 going to the school. I actually loved my instructors. However u are 100 percent right

FACTS Ol Hand is tell n ya truth..many thanx for all you are doing Hand God Bless You...

don't be afraid to ask questions when you run into something that you have no idea what to do

i’m in trucking school and I agree . I feel empty of knowledge, any books i can read … i’m getting right into trucking to get experience!

The teach you to pass everything at DMV. They pay for permit and your physical. And the first set of tests after the 3rd fail you pay. Shit was rough first 6mos forsure.

😢 thank you I needed to hear that😭

The first week of the truck school I went too taught us everything we needed to know to pass the dmv test to get a learner's permit. The first day of the second week we were told to forget everything we learned the first week because none of it was relevant to truck driving. They were right.

Thank you for good advice

As of a 15 year of experience, all I can say to the new drivers is Stay safe and stay healthy out there.

I'm okay with CDL school teaching me to pass the test and getting my license . I'm a college graduate and am aware of the limitations of education. CDL school couldn't be inclusive or you'd never get out of school! Choosing the best CDL school is my next goal.

My CDL School did teach us what to do how to be a professional truck driver. At the time i went all of our instructors were veteran drivers OTR.

On the job training, best way ! 👍

Sound like hvac school . 😭 whole different ball game when you in the field

This is great advice. And I feel it fits with most all jobs .. ASE can certify you as a master mechanic.. but with out learning from others in real world experience….. also remember your never done learning and you can also learn from young inexperienced people .. maybe watching them make a mistake you never made but now will definitely never make .. or a fresh look might even teach you something you didn’t think of after doing it one way for so long .. ❤️❤️ love your videos and your real out look on things 🙏🙏

I am now retired five years, crawling out of the cab the last time upon my seventieth birthday. And I remember when I was young, the old drivers watching over us young guys and showing us the way. That was the best way to learn. And most if those old fellas were open to questions and happy to answer and help. I know both sides are guilty of the break down in communications of the drivers, and it is so sad. That was the glue that held our profession together was the brotherhood between all the drivers. And it has really hurt the training of the newbies.

Driving 2 weeks now by myself! And that is the absolute truth! Just got my class A in October. And backing is still scary. I don't even have the confidence yet to back between 2 trucks at a truck stop yet lol 😂.

One of my instructors told me "We don't teach you to drive we teach you to pass the state test".

I just learned a bunch of new stuff and I’ve had my license since 1996

Bro your absolutely right I don't know how to alley dock and I'm struggling

Basics you are so right. My trainer taught me a lot

We are required to go to a CDL training program starting in 2022. I learned a lot from the school, but with anything you do, it is a continuous learning experience. When you get that license and start driving, your learning just started.

Been driving 25 years and he is 100% correct I couldn’t of said it any better myself.

Good info i always respect the older guys with experience and take it in

Thank you for your teachings!