Driver Solutions Review

2011 was a big year for the trucking industry. With the truck driver shortage, the many FMCSA updates, and the increased attention to distracted driving, the trucking industry had a busy year.

Being a truck driver definitely comes with benefits, like good pay, job security, and the ability to travel, but potential drivers have to be ready for change. From the route your drive and the loads you carry, to the rules and laws that dictate what drivers can and cannot do, change is inevitable.

Driver Solutions covered many of the most important trucking stories in 2011 and tried to provide trucking industry and CDL training information to the many aspiring truck drivers out there. Though we wrote hundreds of posts over the past year, here are some of the highlights of 2011:

FMCSA Rulings

• U.S. Dept of Transportation – Final Hours-of-Service Rule
• Final Ruling on Hand-Held Cell Phone Ban for Truckers
• The New CSA 2010 Program

Safety

• Sleepy? Keep Your Eyes Open and Mind Focused with These Helpful Tips
• CDL Training for Safe Driving
• How to Drive Safely on Unsafe Bridges

Truck Driver Lifestyle

• Wanted: 140,000 Truck Drivers for 2011
• Over 40 Tips for Truck Drivers with No Experience
• 3 Reasons Your First Year as a Truck Driver Will Make or Break You
• 2011 Truck Driver Appreciation Contest Winners
• Truck Driving School – CDL Training Students Sing Christmas Song
• Get a Free Truck Driver Survival Guide
• Find a Truck Driving Job: Is 2012 Going to Be Your Year?

With the additional industry attention on safety and a continuing driver shortage, 2012 seems like a great time to get a career in truck driving started.

If you ready to get more information on the Driver Solutions CDL training program, go ahead and complete our secure online application. This will give you an opportunity to schedule a time to speak with a Driver Agent about your options in the trucking industry for 2012.

Before you sign up for CDL training, you’ll probably want to read some Driver Solutions reviews. Applying for truck driving school can lead to a big lifestyle change, so it’s important to understand exactly what to expect.

Driver Solutions is dedicated to helping inexperienced truck drivers get the CDL training they need to find truck driving jobs. We currently work with a network of reliable, reputable trucking companies that are looking for high quality truck drivers. Our company paid CDL training program not only trains and prepares aspiring truck drivers to properly driver a tractor-trailer, but also helps students find a great trucking job to begin a new career.

Unfortunately, the Driver Solutions training program is not for everyone. Company paid CDL training requires that students are willing to commit to training for a few weeks and are looking for a career and not just a job.

One of the best ways to learn about a company like Driver Solutions is from the first hand experience of truck drivers that have gone through our program. Here are some of the most recent Driver Solutions reviews that Facebook fans have left on our Facebook recommendations page:

•    “Great school.” – Debra S.
•    “Driver Solutions is a good career opportunity in Asheboro N.C.” - Mark G.
•    “They helped me out so much with getting into school and getting a job” – Vernon H.
•    “This is a great place if you want to get your CDL training…” – Bret K.
•    “If anybody is looking for a job in trucking, contact Driver Solutions. They will help get you started.” – Stacy A.
•    “If you are interested in becoming a truck driver, this is a good place to start putting that idea in motion” – Gregory M.
•    “Driver Solutions is certified a+” – Darell S.
•    “Best school for truck driver training.” – Troy S.
•    “This is a great place 2 go if u want 2 learn 2 drive big rig” – John R.

Want to read more reviews? Tale a few minutes to check these out:
•    A recent in-depth Driver Solutions review from a student that went through truck driver training just a few months ago.
•    5 unique truck driver training graduation stories
•    General Driver Solutions reviews taken from our Facebook page

Still have more questions?

Complete our online application to schedule a time to speak with a Driver Agent who can answer your questions.

Several big reasons that many people decide to pursue entry level truck driving jobs include the ability to travel, great job stability, and the possibilty to earn between $35,000 and $40,000 in the first year. But actually finding a job can be frustrating if you don't know where to start. The key to finding an entry level truck driving job and starting your career on the right foot is to choose the best truck driver training program.

Before you jump into any commitments, you need to decide if you are ready for an entry level trucking job, and should ask yourself several questions:

• Do you meet the Department of Transportation’s minimum qualifications and medical requirements?
• Will you be able to control one of the most powerful machines on the road?
• Are you willing to travel for several weeks at a time as an over-the-road driver?
• Can you adjust to the truck driver lifestyle?
• Are you willing to spend 3 weeks at CDL school to get the specialized training you need?

If you answered yes to all of these questions, you may be ready to start your truck driving career. But now you may be wondering, where can you find the CDL training you need AND job opportunities?

At Driver Solutions, we work with a network of the top trucking schools and trucking companies to offer great CDL training and help students start their careers succesfully.  Through our company paid CDL training program, we will work with you to get the best CDL training possible. Best of all, Driver Solutions qualifies you for a job opportunity BEFORE you begin CDL training. Driver Solutions reviews your information, qualifies your application, and makes sure that you’re qualified for an entry level trucking job all BEFORE you begin truck driving school.

When you complete your truck driver training in as little as 3 weeks, you will be qualified to earn your CDL license. You'll be on the road in no time!

Let Driver Solutions take the stress out of finding an entry level driving job. Complete our online application to schedule a time to speak with a Driver Agent about your options for getting started. 

Deciding to become a professional truck driver is one of the best career choices you can make today.  A career as a professional truck driver can open the door to many opportunities that can positively impact your life - including great pay and a stable environment.

You have probably found yourself asking, what exactly do you have to do to become a professional truck driver?

First, you must meet the basic requirements of the US Department of Transportation and hold a Class A CDL license. The DOT requires you to pass a physical exam to make sure you are fit enough to handle the responsibilities of truck driving. The CDL ensures that truck drivers meet the minimum requirements for the safe operation of a tractor trailer. In addition to a standard general knowledge test, truck drivers must also obtain endorsements by passing the combination vehicle and air brake knowledge tests.  Potential truck drivers need to learn not only how to operate a truck, but they must also learn the rules and regulations that truck drivers must follow.

To get started, you should contact the best truck driver training school in the country and ask for career options based on your skills, background, and goals. Finding a program that can accommodate your needs is vital. A truck driving school should not only help you learn all of the information needed to get your CDL, but should also help you find truck driving jobs after graduation.

What do I do next?

Just like any career path, a trucking career is going to have its challenges. Driver Solutions provides the tools to potential truck drivers to help them overcome some of the challenges they may face. Driver Solutions uses a proven method of training that brings out the best driver in students, then works to match students up with a company in the Driver Solutions Network.

Starting your CDL training and a trucking career with Driver Solutions can happen in just 6 simple steps:

1.       Review our trucking career opportunities

2.       Complete the online application

3.       Speak with a Driver Agent to discuss the Driver Solutions program

4.       Driver Solutions qualifies your application

5.       Attend CDL training at a Driver Solutions-approved truck driving school

6.       Begin driving for your new trucking company

Once you qualify and complete these six steps, you'll be on the road to success! Complete our online driver application today to schedule a time to speak with a Driver Agent about your career options.

Are you looking for a new career in one of the most stable industries in the country? Are you a hard worker that is motivated to succeed and make up to $40,000 in your first year of work? Are you looking to open the door to advancement opportunities? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you may be the perfect fit for a new career in truck driving!

A truck driving career can offer you a life of job stability, an impressive salary, and the freedom of life on the road.  But now you may be asking yourself:

• where am I going to get the training to properly drive a semi truck?
• how am I going to afford the permits and licensing requirements?
• And most importantly, how am I going to afford the CDL training?

In order to turn your hopes into reality, you need to choose the right training program, and Driver Solutions may be the answer for you with our industry leading company-paid CDL training.

Check out these 5 reasons to start a truck driving career with Driver Solutions:

1)      Driver Solutions is the leader in company-paid CDL training. Truck companies want to hire well trained, professional truck drivers that have attended an accredited truck driving school. Driver Solutions has been in business since 1992 and has developed great relationships with top-notch trucking companies.

2)      Driver Solutions qualifies you for a job opportunity BEFORE you begin CDL training. Driver Solutions reviews your information, qualifies your application, and makes sure that you’re qualified for a truck driving job with a Driver Solutions Network trucking company all BEFORE you begin truck driving school.

3)       You don’t have to have any experience in truck driving to qualify. The unique Driver Solutions program was specially developed for entry level drivers who don’t have past experience or training in truck driving. Driver Solutions offers its candidates all of the tools to succeed in a new trucking career.

4)      Your future career opportunities are endless! The trucking industry is one of the fastest growing markets in the nation. If you’ve decided that a CDL or professional truck driver career is on your horizon, then you’re looking at a bright future.

5)      Getting started with Driver Solutions is easy with the simple step-by-step process. The simple six step process leads applicants through registration, training, testing, licensing, and job orientation. Throughout the process each applicant will have the individualized support of a personal Driver Agent that will be able to offer recommendations regarding the best opportunities and answer questions. Driver Solutions will be there for the applicants, each step of the way.

Are you ready to make the leap? Check out reviews from past Driver Solutions graduates and get started with your new truck driving career!

Check out the latest Driver Solutions review written by a student that just completed the CDL training.  Here in the Driver Solutions offices, we’re always looking for feedback to help make our training program the best it can be.  It seems the internet is full of negative business reviews.  That makes sense because when someone is passionate about a situation, they are more likely to comment about it. That’s why I really like this Driver Solutions review from Steven Rosetto.  Not only does he share his thoughts about Driver Solutions and people he met during training, but it’s an inspirational story of overcoming obstacles that would have forced some people to give up. He experienced both emotional highs and emotional lows during his CDL training and he was gracious enough to share his story.

Steven took the time to give us some great feedback about both our office personnel and the CDL training school we sent Steven to.  Perhaps most impressive to me is that fact that Steven worked thru personal tragedy during his first week at truck driving school.  His mother passed away and understandably Steven left school to be with his family and attend to these personal matters.  A lot of people would have given up at that point, but Steven returned a week later and picked up where he left off.  His review of CDL training program shares his appreciation and respect for the truck driving school instructors that helped him earn his CDL.  Even when Steven suffered a setback with a failed CDL skills test on his first attempt, he was able to regain his confidence, learn from a mistake and rely on the support of the truck driving school staff.  He passed the test and ultimately became a proud CDL driver.

It really shows the human, caring side of our business.  Steven’s success is our success.  We strive everyday to help people fulfill lifelong dreams and career goals.  Sometimes there are “bumps in the road” to CDL training. We have a commitment to provide the best CDL training experience possible.  Good training means the road we share will be safer. 
 
The Driver Solutions program is not for everyone. But for those who are committed to beginning a new career (and not just a job), we will give our best effort to help you succeed.  So the next time you read an anonymous bad Driver Solutions review on a complaint website, stop and ask yourself how dedicated the reviewer was.  Then think about Steven and his success at truck driving school. 

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 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. 

One of the biggest challenges for inexperienced drivers working their first truck driving job is saving money.  Let's face it, everyone wants to save money and truck drivers are no different. 

So, how do you make it happen while working a trucking job that has you out on the road for weeks at a time?

Luckily, Driver Solutions was able to connect with Mike and Vicki Simons via Twitter and they agreed to do a blog post to help out inexperienced drivers.  Check it out below!

Money Saving Tips for Inexperienced Truck Drivers

By: Vicki Simons

Truck-Drivers-Money-Saving-Tips.com

My husband Mike and I graduated from truck driver training school and started work in the trucking industry in the early 1990's. Those were in the days before Internet access, cell phones and many of the technological wonders that many truckers now rely upon were readily available. I will share with you in this article some money saving tips for new trucking school graduates and inexperienced truck drivers, especially those who will be driving a commercial motor vehicle regionally or long haul.

There were two items that we took with us from our very first trip as a husband and wife professional truck driving team:

• a portable toilet and
• a device in which to keep food cold.

If we were starting out today, not only would we have these items with us, but we would also add an inverter and at least one appliance in which to cook food.

Let's look at these choices in greater detail.

A Portable Toilet

We consider having an in-truck portable toilet to be indispensable for health reasons. Put quite simply, not every place where a truck driver can park has a publicly accessible restroom.

We have used our units over the years to hold not only bodily waste but also waste water from brushing our teeth and cleaning dishes after meals. Unfortunately, not all trucking companies allow portable toilets in their trucks. So before you invest in one, check to make sure that your company of choice allows them.

Food is Expensive on the Road

One of the biggest expenses that new-out-of-school company drivers will have is food. Sure, you can eat out a lot, but it is expensive. Some truck stops not only have their own restaurants but also fast food offerings, either from onsite fast food restaurants or refrigerated cases of premade foods. It is much healthier for your body and your wallet if you prepare your own food and recipes from healthy, nutritious ingredients.

In order to have a well-rounded diet and save money, we chose to take perishable foods with us. Among them are a variety of meats, dairy products, fruits, vegetables and breads. Some of these foodstuffs require being kept cold. The three main types of food cooling devices used by truckers are:

• compact refrigerators (with compressors),
• thermoelectric coolers, and
• ice chests.

We have tried them all. Each has its pros and cons.

You can cook many, many meals in just one or two appliances. When it comes to meal preparation, we describe on our site the different types of appliances we have used to cook food in our trucks over the years. We prefer to use a hot pot for cooking and rewarming many foods. A crock pot comes in handy for cooking food while you travel down the road. You just need to make sure that you brace the appliance so that it won't tip over when you go around curves or brake suddenly.

For a while when he was by himself in the truck, Mike used a microwave oven for warming small items. Larger meal preparations of saucy type foods can sometimes be done in an electric skillet. With the right equipment, you can cook just about anything -- including Thanksgiving dinner -- in your truck.

But to run most household cooking appliances, you need power…

Powering Your Equipment with an Inverter

Unless one is fortunate enough to hire on with a company whose trucks are equipped with auxiliary power units (APUs), many company-issued commercial motor vehicles have only DC-powered 12-volt cigarette lighter outlets as a means by which drivers can get power. As you may know, most household appliances run off AC (alternating current) not DC (direct current) electricity. The solution for inverting power from DC to AC is an inverter.

The two types of inverters most often used by truckers are:

• the cigarette lighter plug in type (which, depending on the model, can deliver up to about 175 watts of power) and
• the battery-connected kind (which, depending on the truck's configuration and model of unit, can deliver between 200 and 3000 watts of power).

Your trucking company may place a cap on the maximum amount of power that a battery-connected inverter can draw from its trucks' batteries. One of the trucking companies Mike drove for allowed nothing more than a cigarette lighter style inverter while a different company placed a 1500-watt cap on a battery-connected unit.

You can run many household appliances with 1500 watts of power or less. Some drivers require an inverter to power laptop computers, recharge cell phones and run their CPAP machines while they sleep.

Bear in mind that you can run simultaneously only those appliances that will not draw more power than the inverter can deliver. In our case, sometimes we had to run just one cooking appliance at a time so as not to overload the inverter. It was a small price to pay in time to save big money.

Consider the math: if you had to pay an average of $8 plus tax and tip for lunch and an average of $10 plus tax and tip for dinner at a truck stop -- five days a week -- you would be shelling out some serious cash. How much less expensive it could be to eat in your truck with options greatly expanded when you can cook your meals by inverter power.

The charge in your truck's batteries will determine the length of time that you can draw power through a battery-connected inverter. If you use your inverter while the engine is not running, the power will draw down faster than if it is running. Given the price of diesel these days, your company may require you to limit your idling time. Again, check with your prospective company before buying an inverter.

Watch Out for Traps

One of the reasons why we started our website, Truck-Drivers-Money-Saving-Tips.com, was to warn other drivers about traps, particularly certain inferior products that are marketed and sold to truck drivers. Many of these are what we call "cheaply made but expensive to buy." One red flag that we have learned to watch out for is a very short warranty period (like a 90-day limited warranty). If a product is worth its salt, it will have a one-year warranty of some kind.

When you buy items from a truck stop, be aware of its return policy. Some chains may allow returns for up to 30 days or may only allow an exchange for other merchandise (as in "no returns for cash"). This can be a trap. Assume that you bought a product from a truck stop that had a 30-day return policy and it broke on the 31st day. You're flat out of luck. So be on your guard.

What to Pack in Your Truck

When you train with a trainer, you may be asked to take a minimum of things with you. You may be given a list of what to bring and what not to bring. When you get out on your own, your options may expand greatly. We provide some guidance about what we have taken out with us on the road in the form of three different packing lists -- job-related, food and equipment, and personal -- all of which are available as free downloads from our site.

That's Just the Beginning

There is so much more that we'd like to be able to tell you. Drop by our site and get lots of money saving tips for professional truck drivers. After a while, we hope you'll share some of your own. We're especially looking for product reviews, service reviews and reviews on truck stops and truck parts.

We wish you great success in your new career, safe travels and lots of money saving opportunities on the road.

-----

Through Truck-Drivers-Money-Saving-Tips.com, Vicki Simons and her husband Mike provide real world tips that help professional truck drivers save hard-earned money and personal reporting about products and services for use on the road. They have developed their unique website as a place to share the tips they have learned through the years and where other professional drivers can do the same. For more information, visit http://www.truck-drivers-money-saving-tips.com/.

Copyright © 2011. All Rights Reserved. NKBJ InfoNet, LLC. Printed on Driver Solutions' website with permission.

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

If your dad or the "father figure" in your life is a trucker, honor them on Labor Day by putting together a Summer cookout or fishing trip he will never forget.

Driver Solutions understands the sacrifices truckers have to make to earn a living for their families. Like you, we also want to show our gratitude to all dads who love their families so much even if they are often away from them. As a result, we are giving away Omaha Steaks packages and Bass Pro Shops gift cards to winners of My Dad's a Trucker Contest.

You can join by submitting the contest form and creatively telling us why your dad deserves to take a break from driving. Your entry should be at least 75 words long and must be original. To make it more interesting, you might want to include a nice photo of your dad. 

Driver Solutions Training Program has helped a lot of aspiring drivers start their careers. If you want to stay updated on our program and learn more about how to choose the best truck driver training school, join us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.


The Fine Print
All winners will be announced on August 29th (to allow time for Labor Day prize delivery). All entries will be reviewed by 5 select Driver Solutions’ employees and judged based upon creativity, originality and the number of Facebook “likes” received throughout the life of the contest.

I arrived at the trucking school Driver Solutions uses in Ft. Wayne, IN on 6/20/2011.  I started by taking the DOT physical and completing all the paperwork.

Throughout the first week, you go through alot of material and information but if you pay attention and ask questions it will do everything to help you out on the road. I passed all my CDL tests on the first round which is a huge relief off of your shoulders. There were several people who needed help and we all helped each other get past any obstacle in the classroom.

The second week, we went to the range to learn the straight line back, the offset, and the parallel park.  My first thought was there was no way to park a semi in a parallel spot, but Andre (CDL instructor) walks everyone through it.  At the end of the second week, I passed my range with only 2 points (You have to do it twice to pass the range with less than 6 points). I also passed my road on my second week with the help of a great instructor named Rick.

The road can be a little nerving and you get a whole new respect for the truck being behind the wheel of a rig. We were off for 3 days over the 4th of July weekend but I was still able to pass my pre-trip inspection on Wednesday of my third week. I went over the fence on Thursday and passed everything which felt great.

I made several friends there and hope to see all of them on the road soon. I cannot say enough about John(the director) or the school.  They are there to help you anyway they can. I had heard several things about the experience good and bad and all I have to say 90% cause the problems themselves and the other 10% dont apply themselves which causes the negativity.

I would give the school a 9/10 for a positive experience, the range needs repaved and you would move on up.  I am willing to answer questions about my experience and will encourage more people to go in fact I already told 3 people about it and they are looking into it.

Name: Marc Patterson
City: Canal Winchester
State: Ohio
Approx Class Start Date: 06/20/2011

Hi Marc,

Thank you for taking the time to share the details of your truck driver training experience.  We're glad to read that you throughly enjoyed your experience with the Driver Solutions program.  Please continue to stay in touch with us on the Driver Solutions Facebook page.  We wish you the best of luck in your new career behind the wheel!
- The Driver Solutions Team

I had a great experience with Driver Solutions.  Derek was my driver agent and he was very helpful through the whole process.  My CDL training was at C1 Truck Driver Training in Fort Wayne, IN. The classroom instructor was Ivan, and he was very good. There is a lot of information to learn in only a week, but he made sure everyone was ready to take all the written CDL tests.  Also, he would take the time to help anyone that was having problems, even if that meant staying late. My range instructor was Andre, and road instructor was Randy. They are both great at what they do.

I will recommend Driver Solutions to anyone I know interested in starting a career in trucking. I had a great time during training, and look forward to starting my career with USA Truck. 

Name: Darin Smith
City: Osterburg
State: Pennsylvania
Approx Class Start Date: 06/13/2011

Hi Darin,

Thank you for taking the time to write this review of the Driver Solutions program.  We're glad you had a great experience and wish you the best of luck throughout your trucking career.

Best Wishes,
- The Driver Solutions Team

My dad deserves to win because he works hard to provide for us.  He is the proud father of 2 girls and 7 sons. He has inspired me to try to become a truck driver as well.  My dad has struggled all his life and this would be awesome. Thank you and I hope you pick him.

Name: Casey Leach


Thank you for your entry, Casey! 

Enter your dad in the "My Father's A Trucker" contest for a chance to win $80 toward Omaha Steaks or Bass Pro Shops gift cards.  Just use the form below to enter now!

My Dad's A Trucker - Win $80 Worth of Free Omaha Steaks!

Father’s Day, 4th of July, Labor Day.  Summer is here…

And there’s nothing better than a Summertime family cookout with some tasty Omaha Steaks fresh off the grill.  Show your dad or the “father figure” in your life (yes, mothers can win too!) that you’re the coolest by entering to win $80 toward the ultimate cookout package from Omaha Steaks or a gift card for Bass Pro Shops. 

Here's how to win:

1. Use the form below to tell us why your patriotic, hard-working dad deserves a break from truck driving.
2. Remember, all entries must be at least 75 words to qualify and everyone loves pictures.
3. We'll publish your entry on the Driver Solutions blog for you to share.  Send the link to your friends on Facebook and tell them to "like" your entry.  More likes will improve your chances of winning.

Here are the prizes:

• 1st Place - $80 toward Omaha Steaks (winner can pick package up to $80 in value) 
• 2nd Place - $25 Bass Pro Shops gift card
• 3rd Place - $15 Bass Pro Shops gift card

The Fine Print
All winners will be announced on August 29th (to allow time for Labor Day prize delivery).  All entries will be reviewed by 5 select Driver Solutions’ employees and judged based upon creativity, originality and the number of Facebook “likes” received throughout the life of the contest.    

I GRADUATED ON JUNE 17TH IT WAS A GREAT SCHOOL !! INSTRUCTORS ARE GREAT TO DEAL WITH!! I WOULD RECOMMEND THE SCHOOL TO ANYONE THINKING OF GETTING THEIR CDL!!

Name: JIMMY GAMMON
City: STRAFFORD
State: MISSOURI
Approx Class Start Date: 05/31/2011


Jimmy,

Thank you for your review.  We wish you the best of luck in your new career as a truck driver!

- The Driver Solutions Team

We're back with an all new Summertime contest.  Father's Day is coming up and it's time to show the "father" figure in your life that you're the coolest. 

Tell us why your dad deserves a break from truck driving to win one of the following prizes:

• 1st Place - $80 toward Omaha Steaks (winner can pick package up to $80 in value) 
• 2nd Place - $25 Bass Pro Shops gift card
• 3rd Place - $15 Bass Pro Shops gift card

Here's how to win:

1. Use the form below to tell us why your patriotic, hard-working dad deserves a break from truck driving.
2. Remember, all entries must be at least 75 words to qualify and everyone loves pictures.
3. We'll publish your entry on the Driver Solutions blog for you to share.  Send the link to your friends on Facebook and tell them to "like" your entry.  More likes will improve your chances of winning.

The Fine Print
All winners will be announced on August 29th (to allow time for Labor Day prize delivery). All entries will be reviewed by 5 select Driver Solutions’ employees and judged based upon creativity, originality and the number of Facebook “likes” received throughout the life of the contest.

I had a great experience with Driver Solutions. I attended CDL training in Indianapolis, IN.  I made many friends and made lasting memories. Of course being the only female in my class, made it memorable. I was lucky to experience training with a couple different instructors.

Donna was my main instructor, a totally awesome lady and full of information!  By the second week in trucks, we were better drivers and donna was impressed with our progress, as were we.

Another instructor, Amin, was my instructor for a few days.  He offered a different perspective, and a bit more detail. He is still a driver when he isn't teaching, which is kinda cool.

I will and have recommended it to friends and family who are considering a change in career. In fact, the day I came home, a friend asked for the phone number so he could attend as well.

Overall, this was a fantastic experience! I had a blast, and the friendships I made will last for years. I can't wait to start driving with my new company(USA Truck), and I am looking forward to orientation in a couple weeks in Arkansas.

Name: Kathy Schoenfeld
City: Cincinnati
State: Ohio
Approx Class Start Date: 05/23/2011


Kathy,

Thank you for your review!  We appreciate the feedback and wish you the best of luck with your new career.  Please keep us updated from time to time on the Driver Solutions Facebook page. 

The Driver Solutions Team

Do you believe everything you read online?

While no company can be perfect, there are two sides to every story.  When it comes to online review sites, there are times when the company under attack doesn't even have the option to respond directly to the complaint or bad review.  In fact, we like to occasionally search "Driver Solutions scam" to check out the latest claims.  We have no problems with people making complaints about Driver Solutions.  We have to be accountable, but so does the person making the complaint as well as the website that publishes the complaint.  When given the opportunity, we want to make the situation right for all involved.

That's why we love using social media.   

Here at Driver Solutions, we use some of the bigger social media sites like Facebook and Twitter to talk directly with our students going through CDL training.  We're then able to stay in contact with them once they graduate and start a trucking career.  This makes it easy for us to stay updated on their progress and receive instant feedback. By using social media, we're able to directly address any concerns potential truck drivers have with the CDL training program very quickly.   

Just today, we received the following comment on our Driver Solutions Facebook Page:

I'm still on the fence with all the terrible reviews online from a dozen different websites.. anyone care to add to this? (note: we fixed a couple of spelling mistakes)




Now, this is a perfectly normal concern if you read Driver Solutions scam reports, complaints or other negative reviews.  The great thing about using Facebook is that we were able to quickly respond to Anthony.  Since we know there may be others out there still "on the fence" about CDL training or truck driving in general, we wanted to share our response to Anthony on the Driver Solutions blog as well. 

Here is how we responded:

Anthony,

Thank you for your message. Several of these negative reviews are out there for CDL training and trucking companies. It’s something the entire industry faces at some point and it’s not uncommon to be a little “on the fence.” Having been involved in the CDL training industry for over 24 years, we’ve come to find that most reviews are from those that don’t give the career or job a fair shot. Be careful judging a company or a career when you read just one side of the story. Many negative reviewers fail to disclose any blame they are responsible for. Like any new career, it’s not always easy at first. Some drivers choose to turn down loads, make late deliveries and approach truck driving with a negative attitude. These are typically the drivers that leave these negative reviews. Last year alone, we helped over 2,400 people start a new truck driving career. We’ve been able to stay in contact with a lot of these drivers long after training. And they all tell us one thing: just like any job, if you come into it with a positive attitude, don’t make excuses and do what you’re supposed to do (take loads and make on-time deliveries) you can be very successful.

We also encourage you to check out the Better Business Bureau. In addition to that, we’ve put together an entire section on our blog of real reviews from people that have been through our program and you can find those here - http://blog.greatcdltraining.com/blog/cdl-truck-driver-training-graduation-stories.

We hope you find this info to be helpful. Let us know if you have any other questions. Thank you.



By using Anthony as an example, (with his permission, of course) we hope that we're able to reach some of our readers that may be in a similar situation.

Did you find this post to be helpful?  Is there anything we can do to help?  We can't promise we'll be able to fix the issue, but we will listen. 

Just let us know in the comments section below.