This is for anyone who is even considering joining the Driver Solutions program to get a class A CDL. I want to make it clear that this is not a personal vendetta, because I for one made it thru the program succefully and am now with a carrier driving a truck. My carrier sucks and I hate my life. Im not getting any miles, my paycheck is nearly null and I cant support my family, but this is a different story. This is entirely about driver solutions training program.
Driver Solutions has a class starting every monday at 7am. When you get there you will have a physical and a drug screen. More importantly when you get there you will get to know the two classes in front of you. Its a three week program. The advice we received from the two classes in front of us was to run, get out of this now, do not stay for any reason or YOU WILL REGRET IT! Just some quick stats for you. There are around 30 students starting in each class. First thing first, Do you really think the world needs that many drivers? Of course not! Here is the scary part. Of the approxiamatly 90 student that were present on day one for me, this is counting all three weeks of students, only 7 graduated and went to work. I have stayed in contact with those that have graduated since we work at the same place now. ALL OF US ARE HATING LIFE!! You will sign a contract within a couple of days stating that "If for any reason you attend this program for 6 days and do not complete this course you are liable for the cost of the program" Just to let you know this is 6000$ yes six thousand dollars! Ok just some math for ya. Out of 90 students only 7 completed the course which means the scholl made 483, 000$ almost a half a million dollars by not graduating people. So ask yourself what business they are in, making truck drivers or making money? Here is an even scarier tid bit for ya. No one, not even those who failed the physicall or the drugtest, were let go before 6 days. THis was to ensure that you stayed for the 6days and you owed 6grand.
Now you may be thinking if these people couldnt complete the program it was probably for good reason right? Yea thats what we all thought when the people ahead of us in the course told us to run. Let me go over a few things that disqualified people. Here is a big reason, criminal record. When you talk to your recruiter he will ask you to disclose whatever may be on yor record. This includes traffic violations, misdemeanors, and felonies. The recruiter will get all these approved for the school no problems. What the recruiter does not tell you is the company that you will be working for has not approved your application. YOU ARE ONLY APPROVED FOR THE SCHOOL NOT THE TRUCKING COMPANY! On day 6 of your training they will submit your application to the trucking company that you are signed up for. THE TRUCKING COMPANY WILL TURN DOWN ALL BLEMISHES ON YOUR RECORD! This includes everything down to a parking ticket and your going home with a 6, 000 dollar bill. The next thing is your health. They will not tell you if anything is wrong during your physical. They will wait until day 6 and tell you that your blood pressure is high or you failed the vision/hearing test. With a handshake and a 6, 000 dollar bill your on your way home.The health exam is very in depth and they can find a flaw in nearly everyone if they so choose. IF YOU USE TOBBACCO PRODUCTS YOUR GOING HOME!!! That is a guarantee! Now here is a good for ya. THEY WILL CALL YOUR FAMILY!! FOr instance they will call your wife/husband to talk to them about how they feel about you being gone all the time over the road. If your spouse says something like "Well im gonna miss him/her" YOUR GOING HOME WITH A 6, 000 BILL. They will say that your spouse will cause problems once you get to your trucking company and your out! Now the last thing is your performance. All your class work and truck training will be second nature and common sense to a select few people, lets face some people just catch on quicker than others. Well you better hope your one of those people. THey grade on a scale up to 100%, if your below 95% your going home with a 6, 000 dollar bill. You only have to score above 75% to pass however they make a cut 95% and below simply cause the world doesnt need that many drivers. 30 people a week sign up for this class i attended and only a couple graduate. THey have 4 schools around the country which means actuall 120 people sign up for the course every week. Of the seven people that I still keep in touch with every one of us wishes we could go back and RUN just like the other guys told us. If you want to be a truck driver this is not an option. Its just like the basketball game at the fair. You pay a dollar to go for it but the hoop is just a little to small for the ball to go thru. Dont take this advice and it will be you making the next complaint. Good Luck!