Check Ride Driver Training Centers, Washington State

5k is a chunk of money for entry level pay in the trucking industry, shop around. Talk to instructors, sit on on the class for few hours, see how well the instructors teach. Go in after class has been started for a few or several weeks and ask students their opinion. During the first few days everyone is excited about driving a truck and cannot possibly know how things will go or give an accurate statement or opinion.Everyone will say its great, at first. Any business can have a great record with the BBB, for the right price. Businesses pay to be members of the BBB. The BBB needs money too. All CDL schools are required by WA law to be members of the state board of training and education or wtecb for short. All CDL schools must be licensed by the department of license, thats nothing special or unique. Are the instructors, articulate, professional in knowledge and demeanor? Do students say they are temperamental, or impatient? Jumping into an 80,000lb rig with a green horn whom one has never even ridden with in a car can be absolutely nerve racking. The instructor must be patient and professional if one is to learn from them. Does the school have scheduled recruiters to come in and speak to the students, is there informative presentations from outside organizations involved in the trucking industry. Ask for the schedule and check for yourself that indeed recruiters will be visiting your class. Also ask to see a lesson plan and curriculim. All CDL schools in WA are required to submit this lesson plan and curriculim to the wtecb and DOL for review. Compare it to what they do once you are enrolled. Will there be instructors giving lectures? Some instructors just pop in dvds or videos into the tv and walk away. Will you be quized, tested, assessed prior to your tests with DOL? You dont want to waste your money at the DOL if are not ready to test. Is the equipment well maintained and have an annual inspection preformed. You dont want to jump into equipment that is abused by green horns that is not well maintained. You wont learn if the truck is broken. If you fail your first skills test, will they let you test again for free? or are they going to charge you a truck rental for the second test? Are they going charge you fuel and extra instruction time. Did they take the time to screen your drivers abstract to make sure you are employable? Many schools take students who qualify for a cdl but are still not employable because insurance companies will not cover them, due to DUIs, parking, speeding, sex offender, felonies etc .Ensure you get all your training time. Do the instructors have recent or current on the road experience? Some of the truckers teaching at some schools have not been on the road in 5 years or more and have antiquated ideas of how things work. These are modern times, equipment is now high tech. The instructor should be familiar with knew equipment and industry standards. Are the instructors familiar with Federal Motor Carrier Administration Regulations? There are Truck Drivers and Professional Truck Drivers, which one are they? Which one do you want to be? Is the school actively involved in the trucking industry, do they have trucks in the business of transportation, or are they just a school? To be knowledgeable about the industry you need to be involved in it. Trucking industry regulations, standards, laws, equipment, and training methods are continually evolving. Nothing in trucking stays the same for long. The only way to stay on top of this things is to be involved. A school that is just a school has limited experience in the industry. They may be great at teaching to pass your cdl test, but will they make you a possessional driver? Theres much info to learn about trucking, for 5k in todays economic times, you deserve to get your moneys worth. Best Wishes!

Weary Trucker

 

I am also looking at Check Ride. I sat down and talked with Donna, she has been there for years. She was very knowledgeable, and informative. I am still looking and trying to get all my affairs in order. I am also looking to get in on the WIA.

Let us know how it goes for you, what you find out.

 

I feel the need to revive this thread considering I am starting @ Check Ride on the 6th of February. I am not sure if anyone else has completed training through Check Ride, but since I am going to be attending I figured I could let people who are interested in Check Ride know how the training/facility is. I chose this school because it was the closest local training center to my house and because I've heard good things. My experience dealing with the staff so far has been great, Donna and Mary Ann have been extrememly friendly and helpful thus far. I've met briefly with the instructor who seems like a serious fella who knows the industry and has been "around the block" a few times. The facility is nice and clean, and the equipment looks to be adequate and in fairly good condition. The yard is nice and presentable as well. Overall, I feel good about Check Ride and so far I am happy with my decision. If anyone is interested in the training itself from the perspective of a student, like I said I start on February 6th and would be happy to answer any questions. You can also follow my blog as I will try to update frequently once I have actually started training.


O&O,

Zero

 

I just finished check-ride last. They are run well. The main instructor is experienced but not really a teacher per se. The driving instructors are very good. They test right on campus after you finish your 140 so you'll drive the same rigs that you road trip in. Makes a big difference.

Donna is very good and will help a lot if you ask.

I passed my test and a I was being handed my certificate I got a call from Prime asking me to come out the following week for orientation. So here I sit on the Prime campus.

Like I said your mileage will vary. Ask a lot of questions, practice your pre trip and when they tell you mirror checks are important to pass the test....BELIEVE them!


Good luck

 

Thanks for the advice! I'm into my second week and so far I couldn't agree more with what you've said. I'm very happy with my decision on going with Check-Ride. They'll make a trucker outta me yet!

 

Glad it's working out. When driving time comes try to get on Bruce's list. He's the best teacher when it comes to driving.

Tell them Garcia says hi and doing well at Prime.

 

Yeah, so far I've been out with both Bruce and Stan and I agree. I will let them know you said hi and that you are doing well.

 

good advice,im looking into this school too

 

Just remember that the training is what you make of it. You have to be willing to learn and willing to ask questions and for help/guidance if you need it. Remember, these guys aren't necessarily "teachers". They are retired truckers with many years of experience who know what the industry is all about and will tell you everything you want to know. However, their job is to help you pass that test to get your CDL, not to make you a genius trucker. No CDL school training compares to real-world experience. Anybody in this industry would tell ya that. If you don't want to learn, you won't. If you do, you will. It's as simple as that. The first week is boring, but take it seriously. Take notes, it may help you. I didn't know jack about driving a tractor-trailer, air brakes or the details involved in driving a truck, but I understood that this training is not only a requirement to obtain a CDL, but it will help get me to the point where I will feel confident enough to pass that test and confident enough to get a job whether it be OTR or local. Just my $.02 Sorry for jabbering on. LOL!