Good school near Austin TX (or ~1 hour drive from)?

Been looking to advance/change my carrier some and have been thinking about some local delivery or line-haul driver jobs in the area, But from what I'm finding, it looks like even if its not class of vehicle I'll end up driving, most employers seem to want their drivers to all have class A CDL + air brakes to be hired. So I've been exploring as to what it takes to get it.

I'm a fairly good self study, and can probably get a learner's permit on my own to save money as an option, and I've never had problems following written procedures or instruction. But what worries me most is the actual behind the wheel test and getting enough time in the driver's seat to feel confident and comfortable as I know a full size rig is just going to feel and act a lot different than the small 2 door roadster I usually drive. I'm sure with plenty of practice, I'll get used to the difference, As I do believe it is a skill that can only be obtained thru doing it and experiencing it.

I've got a completely clean driving record for the last 5+ years, no criminal background, drug problems etc. and plenty of finances to pay for things, but that doesn't mean I want to spend $5K or more on luxury schooling either if it can be avoided. I'm really looking for the best value for my money, and would like to know what might be available within a reasonable distance that fits the bill without being some CDL mill scam. Please chime up with your suggestions on schools or instructors in the area.

 

Yea, so far all I've really seen in Austin is ACC (which from the course description looks like the training is actually given down in San Marcus, at Gary Job Corp) for about $3700. From what I can tell from the webpage, what's offered (spread over 2 separate courses for some reason) is 4 weeks of training totaling 200 hours (10 hour days I'm guessing), which might be reasonable.

And then there's of course Austin CDL Services run by Eddie Torres which is most certainly a CDL mill, but from looking around, I don't think he's too much of a scammer, he does seem to try to be up front with what he's offering on his webpage, which is mostly just a basic prep service, and at least from his facebook page is saying he got BBB accreditation recently. So I think he's trying to be respectable, but even he admits on his webpage, he is not a full service school, and is just a guy you can rent a truck from to practice with, so don't expect much. Thou at $1200, I think he's asking way too much for what little he's able to offer.

You find anything better diamondz? I'm kind of curious if anything is available in the nearby surrounding cities, as if I already haft to drive down to San Marcus for what ACC has, I might as well expand my search area and see if better is available.

 

Ended up going with ACC, which is just a front/associated with International Schools. They are running it out of San Marcos at the Gary Job Corp.

Overall so far it isn't that bad, they are usually paring up 4 students with 1 instructor, and so you end up getting about 1 to 1.5 hours of actual behind the wheel each day in either 2 or 3 sets. Don't really know how well that compares, but if its enough practice to get me the CDL and whatever certificate the school is handing out so I can get on to a job, its enough.

School itself seems to be "in-bed" with Warner, US Carriers, JB Hunt, and maybe TMC, as they have recruiters / head hunters show up to talk about how great their companies are, and hand out applications, saying "work for us, please".

But really, the only problem I have with it is that it is down at the Gary Job Corp, which is a Job / Trade School center for underprivileged / hardship kids, and as such, the place has some really haughty security guards and gate staff, that don't always want to work with you, and being in San Marcos, it is kind of a far drive from Austin.