Matthew's CDL Training Story

Late last year I made a goal to get my Class A CDL before I turn 25 in May. I had always took an active interest in bus driving and truck driving, every since I could remember. When I was younger people would ask me what I wanted to do when I grow up, and I simply replied, "A bus driver". I researched various training schools on and off for the last two or three years and I came across Driver Solutions, I figured since this was a school close to home that this would work out for me, and it worked out great.

I remember the Sunday evening when I arrived at the Hotel and meeting some of the people that would be in my class, from that first day I made new friendships. I remember waiting in line for the physical, and the classroom instruction, and going out on the range, and passing each portion in order to go take the CDL skills test.

I went to take the CDL skills test this past Monday with the mindset that I was going to pass and I passed. After much prayer and persistence and days of wanting to give up, I made it. It took me four tries, but after I realized the mistake I made on the first try and the mistakes I made on the 2nd and 3rd try I was poised to take my stand and declare victory on the 4th try.

If anybody is looking to jump start their career or looking for a change in life, or something different, I would recommend Drivers Solutions. I am going to tell you right now, the road is not easy, and you may fall down and scrape your knee, but get back up and dust off. Their were days were I felt defeated and that my back was against the wall but get back up and try again.

Now I am back home, in contact with PAM Transport to arrange pick up for OTR training. I am excited to get out on the open road and be a part of the backbone of America. It's hard work, but in the long run I know it will start to pay off.

Once again, thank you Driver Solutions for helping me reach a goal.

Name: Matthew Bradley
City: Benton Harbor
State: Michigan
Approx Class Start Date: 01/16/2012

Matthew,

Congratulations!  Thank you for allowing us to play a part in you reaching your goal of getting a Class A CDL before 25.  It sounds like you had a good time during CDL training and made a few friends along the way.  Most importantly, we're glad to hear that even when things weren't easy you were able to "get back up and dust off."  We wish you the best of luck in your new career and please continue to keep us posted from the road.

- The Driver Solutions Team

I started truck driving school in order to move into a new career field. I had actually wanted to drive for a long time and always talked myself out of it. This time I went through with it and completed the challenge of attending the truck driving school in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The course curriculum is intense and demanding, but very thorough and rewarding. When you finally test out and go to State to take the actual CDL skills exam that will give you a CDL Class A, it all pays off.

I am looking forward to starting my career with my carrier USA Truck.

Name: Mark D Pankratz
City: Cincinnati
State: OH
Approx Class Start Date: January 9, 2012

I graduated from truck driving training school on 09/16/2011 and this was a refresher for me. The people there (trucking school) were very nice and helpful. And pushing Safety is the #1 thing. You got to be safe out there on the road.

I really did enjoy the school. in Springfield. I want to say again Thanks Guys! They are there to help you, and believe me, they do. I seen it. I seen them go out of their way to help. You, got to give it your all also. You may get upset at times, but give it your all and they will help you with the rest.

Be safe everyone and I hope to see you out there on the road. OTR Dollie Williams
To all my class mates WE DONE IT!

Name: Dollie Elaine Williams
City: Cape Girardeau
State: Missouri
Approx Class Start Date: 08/29/2011

Hi Dollie,

We're glad you had a positive experience at trucking school and were able to get out there on the road.  Your feedback is very appreciated and something we take very seriously at Driver Solutions.  We wish you the best of luck and hope you'll continue to keep in touch via our Facebook page.

- The Driver Solutions Team

As far as I'm concerned, the trucking school Driver Solutions uses in Indianapolis is the greatest truck driver training school ever! The instructors are excellent and help you every step of the way. They encourage you to never give up and they all have a very positive attitudes. You can get one on one training on an as needed basis. The instructors listen to what the students have to say. The office staff are just as great! It's like one big happy family,including staff and students. The classroom instructor Keith explains things in a way that's easy to understand. There is respect shown to instructors and students alike. The instructors stress that this is a SCHOOL for learning when mistakes are made. " That's why it's called school." This was what I heard frequently.

I just can't say enough about the wonderful staff. Without them I wouldn't have my CDL today. I'll never forget them.

Name: Laura Short
City: Indianapolis
State: IN
Approx Class Start Date: 08/08/2011

Hi Laura,

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with truck driver training in Indianapolis.  We're glad you found the staff to be helpful and were able to successfully obtain your CDL. 

We wish you the best in your new trucking career!

- The Driver Solutions Team

I had a wonderful experience while at the Driver Solutions and the truck driver training school they sent me to in Indianapolis, IN. Everyone from the instructors to the administration people were very supportive and understanding of the stress the students are under.

Mine was a bit more stressful than most I'm sure - as I started school on Monday and at midnight on Wednesday night I received a phone call that my mother had passed away :(. Driver Solutions allowed me to take the 6 days off from school that I needed in order to be with my family during that very difficult time. When I returned the following Wednesday, I was able to catch-up on my classroom testing and get back with my original classmates for the driving instruction. Craig, my driving instructor, was an absolute blessing to have as an instructor. He got his points across concerning how to drive and control the truck without making you feel like a complete moron. As long as you listened, applied and retained what he was telling you, you learned very quickly. I had the benefit of several years of experience pulling trailers with a pick up truck which allowed me to easily comprehend backing the truck and trailer for the range exercises which took a lot of stress of me.

I also had the unfortunate experience of getting a roommate in the hotel that had no respect for another individual. This person felt it was perfectly fine to turn on the TV and lights in the room well after 10:00 & 11:00pm. After 4 days of this, I finally went to the front desk and requested they give me another room. Driver Solutions picked up the tab for this room and discussed the issue with that person, letting him know that what he was doing was not acceptable and if he wanted to continue attending the school he would have to respect others.

Another hugely frustrating issue that I had to deal with was my carrier taking forever to commit to hiring me. So here I had busted my butt to deal with all these issues and still able to pass all the C1 driver testing that you must pass in order to go take the State CDL testing but I couldn't go take the State testing until they made that commitment. Driver Solutions worked diligently with my carrier to get them to commit and ultimately I was able to take my State CDL testing and passed on my 2nd attempt.

I would highly recommend Driver Solutions to anyone wanting a career in truck driving.

Name: Steven Rosetto Sr.
City: New Castle
State: Indiana
Approx Class Start Date: 08/08/2011



Hi Steven,

Thank you for taking the time to share this review of the Driver Solutions Program.  We know you had a few setbacks along the way, but the important things is that you finished strong and didn't let that stop you from achieving your goal.  We wish you the best of luck and will continue to keep in touch with you via our Driver Solutions Facebook Page. 

I went to truck driver training school in little rock on Aug. 8th and graduated on Aug. 23rd.  That trucking school has the best trainers anyone could ask for. My CDL instructors were Chris, the classroom istructor, charlie, the pad instructor, and Mr. Odell, the road instructor, and im telling you these guys know what they are doing.  To anyone who goes to the school, the only advice is listen, and do what they say how the say it and when they say it...

Name: Randy Burnett
City: Montevallo
State: AL
Approx Class Start Date: 08/08/2011

I began truck driver training at the CDL school Driver Solutions works with in Fort Wayne, IN and was extremely nervous. Ivan, my classroom instructor, was amazing and helped me to pass my permit tests on the first try.

Out on the driving range, I became my own worst enemy. I constantly second guessed myself on the maneuvers and became very frustrated. Scott, Andre, and Ryan worked with me after hours and on the weekend to help me pass my range tests. Brian, Greg, and Ed were my road instructors and helped me learn to drive the truck like I had been driving it my whole life.

I went across the fence to test with the state on Aug. 17 and passed all 3 tests on the first try. There are no words to explain how excited I am and how grateful I am for the extra instruction I received from the instructors and John ( trucking school director).

I feel 100% confident that I am ready to drive safely for my carrier and my orientation begins Aug. 22, 2011.

Driver Solutions completely exceeded my expectations.

Name: Dana
City: Dayton
State: Ohio
Approx Class Start Date: 08/01/2011


Hi Dana,

Thank you for taking the time to leave this review.  We're glad you enjoyed your time at truck driver training and wish you the best of luck in the future.  We'll continue to keep in touch with you via the Driver Solutions Facebook page. 

I really enjoyed my experience at the trucking school in Springfield, Missouri that's part of the Driver Solutions Network.  All of the instructors worked with me until I got it. I had some problems with straight line backing untill I found out it was the eye glasses I was wearing. Paul was great... so was Roy, Mike, and Joe B.... I had the best time anyone could have. I made the the best friends (friends for life)

Name: Cindy Smith
City: Springfield
State: Missouri
Approx Class Start Date: 07/11/11


Hi Cindy,

Thank you for the review of our truck driver training program.  We're glad you had a positive experience. 

You know, one of the big things you pointed out in this review is something that is often overlooked - making friends.  We talk with many students every week and nearly all of them tell us about the great friends they've made along the way.  It definitely helps to have a support system when you're looking to achieve a lifelong goal. 

Best Wishes
- The Driver Solutions Team

I arrived at truck driving school in Fort Wayne, Indiana on July 4, 2011 unsure of what to expect. I began classes the following morning and was hit with tons of paperwork to sign, a DOT physical to take, cups to pee in (lol) all after being talked to by John Triplett, the school director, (who was awesome!). Then Ivan (classroom instructor) came in after lunch and began our classroom training. He made the days fun with his uncanny charm and demeanor!

Week 2 began with all of us "newbies" on the range huddled in our own little group not sure of what to expect.  Then the roll call began and we were told which range we would be on during training. The range/road instructors were the bomb! I had direct contact with Ryan, Andre, and Kevin on the Range and Brian and Sam on the road.  I learned so much from those guys! They have a great amount of knowledge between them, but you have the have the right attitude and listen to what they have to share with you!

I am honored to have had the opportunity to attend trucking school in Fort Wayne, In through the Driver Solutions Program and look forward to beginning my new career with USA Truck.

Name: Melissa Johnson
City: Plain City
State: Ohio
Approx Class Start Date: 07/05/2011

Hi Melissa,

Thank you for taking the time to leave a review.  We're glad you enjoyed your time at training and wish you the best of luck in your new trucking career with USA Truck.  Please keep us posted on your progress.

Best Wishes,
The Driver Solutions Team

I attended truck driving school through the Driver Solutions program at the Fort Wayne, IN location.  It was a hard start for me but Ivan, Andre, Scott, Ryan, and Brian knew I had my mind in other places.  They didn't let this stop them from getting the job done.  Scott really helped me understand how a truck moves when going in reverse and how to to keep it straight.  Ryan helped me on the road by showing me how to keep the truck from rolling back and how not to stall the truck.  Without them, I would not be starting a trucking career.  They all talked to me and never said I couldn't do it -  they had confidence in me and that kept me going.  For that I am grateful.  They started out as instructors, but they ended as my friends.

Name: Orlando Irizarry
City: Philadelphia 
State: Pennsylvania
Grad Date: July 20, 2011


Hi Orlando,

We really appreciate you taking the time to leave this review.  We know it was a hard adjustment at first, but are so glad that you stuck with it and got your CDL!  Best of luck to you in your new trucking career.  Please stay in touch with us via the Driver Solutions Facebook page.

Best Wishes,
The Driver Solutions Team