Detroit Area - Great American Truck Driving School - My Review

I am currently in Great American Truck Driving School (DetroitCDL.com) I figured I would give my review on this school as I was really cautious on which school I joined.

I signed up and paid $750 (1/2 of the cost) up front and started the class 2 weeks later.

Day 1:
My first day we went over the Pre-Trip inspection and I have to say if you get Kenny as your instructor you will get this in no time at all. He is a awesome teacher and is funny as hell. We went threw and learned the Engine compartment the first day and he would make everyone do it until he was sure they got it, this was not done in a classroom we were standing out by the truck the whole time and had to point and explain what we were doing and he would just correct us if we said something wrong. He never did this in a mean or embarrassing way, he was very good at turning your mistake into a joke rather then putting you down or yelling at you. He was really good at burning the inspection into your head without pushing you to hard or singling you out.

Day 2:
On My second day we reviewed what we learned the day before, and then continued down the side of the vehicle with the pretrip for about 2 hours. We then got into the truck and they let us do some basic maneuvers around the yard. Most people stayed on the Straight back but I have a lot of prior experience with backing trailers and driving class B trucks, so they had me try the 90 backing without anyone in the truck and decided I didn't need to do the basic stuff anymore, but all the others spent more time practicing the straight back.

Day 3:
More Pre-trip, we reviewed from the start and then finished the outside of the tractor: (Suspension, brakes, fifth wheel, engine compartment, mirrors, air lines, power lines, etc) They also told me when I came in that they didn't want me in the beginning class anymore as it is just a waste of time for me and them and for me to come in the morning on day 4 to be with the 3-4 week students (again I had prior experience with Class B trucks and have towed boats, campers, and trailers my whole life so the basic maneuvers where pretty easy for me). I stuck around for about 3 hours for the pre-trip stuff and then left when they began the basic maneuvers and the teacher agreed there was no reason for me to stay for that.

Day 4:
Thats tomorrow, and will fill you in. As of now the instructors are thinking I may be able to get my CDL-A by weeks end.



For people without the prior knowledge I had:
My class had 5-6 people in it (They will work around your schedule and people come and go different times and days). The others seem to be catching onto the pre-trip as fast as I am, there driving skills need a lot of work lol but they seem to be getting better. The school is very laid back yet professional. If you have a prior appointment or need to leave or be late they don't give you any problems about it, they just say see you tomorrow, and we go over everything we learned the day before the next day so you don't need to be afraid of missing anything.




As of now:

Pros:
-Cheaper then other schools
-Very flexible
-Good teachers
-Fast paced, but not to fast
-Very fun and entertaining instructors
-No 6 month - 2 year contract with some company like Conway

Cons:
-You have to pay for everything yourself (they do have some grant thing threw the state if you want to spend the time to look into it)
-Its kinda in the ghetto, but not to bad.
-Seems like 1 of there trucks is always in the repair shop, but they have a couple and this wasn't really an issue to me as there was never a day they didn't have one for us to use.


What you need before Signing up:
- Take your written test at SOS and get you temporary permit(TIP)
- DOT medical card, This is basically just a physical and will run from $25 - $50 depending on where you go, but you can get it at almost any doctors office and is a common thing and they will all know what your talking about when you ask for it.
- $750 up front and the same at the end.

 

If you have any questions feel free to ask, and I will answer the best I can.

 

Well sense I cant edit my post for some reason:

Day 4:
Joined the advanced class, went over the Pre-trip for about an hour then did some basic maneuvers. Then the instructor told me that he wanted me to go take the test and there was no reason I wouldn't pass. So he took the 4 of us for a ride showing us how to turn corners the correct way, and what to watch out for. Then we came back to the parking lot. By this time the afternoon class had came in and after hanging out for awhile me and the instructor went to DOT for the test. The instructor talked with the Test guy for a few then took off. I then ran threw my Pre-Trip with the test guy, Did the maneuver test, then went out on the road for awhile. Then we came back and he passed me, and gave me my certificate.

The instructor had told me to come in tomorrow and we could still go over stuff if I felt I needed to know anything and I do plan to do this as there are a few things I still want to practice.

Overall, a good experience. I would recommend this school to anyone.

 

Sorry I never responded, just noticed there were replies on this.... Goblue: they had sleepers, and I didnt need much time on the road it all came pretty natural to me. Other guys seem to get as much as they needed, and I could have refused to take the test and stayed longer if I felt I needed it.

For an update: I am out in North Dakota right now driving trucks and things are going great.