Smith & Solomon Commercial Driver Training — Local services in Deptford Township

PART I. After doing research for a few locations on google and reading through every single review I found the name of a personal friend. I reached out to him and I loved his feedback so I decided to go check it out in person for myself. There are a few things that all the staff have in common… 1st is they all want you to succeed! 2nd is they all have personal experience in the trucking industry. 3rd thing is that whatever amount of respect you give them they will multiply it by 100. 4th thing is they will always be honest and set the proper expectations. 5th they are all family oriented and if you allow them they will welcome you with open arms. 6th they are all personable and can relate to you on numerous levels. Last but never least is they are all FUNNY!!!! The staff from my perspective in the order that I met them… Mrs. Beverly was the first friendly face I met and was the real reason that I signed up to Smith & Solomon! Since the very beginning she was patient, kind and knowledgeable. Her long lasting professionalism and amazing personality did not allow me to even consider checking out another school. She laid out the road map of what the program would consist of, assisted me with job placement options tailored for my personal needs. She was fully invested in my growth and that sincerity was great fuel to drive me to excel in the course & eventually succeed. Sincerely, appreciate all of your help and all the good times created throughout my journey it would be impossible without you! Malcom was the in class professor that I was extremely fortunate to have! From the beginning this man provided a fun and healthy learning environment for those that were willing to participate. He gave us the good, the bad and the truth of what being a trucker consisted of. Malcom made it easy to remember lessons taught in class which eventually transitioned to passing the knowledge test the first time around. He told us to make friends early in the classroom and in the yard. This lead to an unbreakable camaraderie that helped fellow classmates hold each other accountable as well as challenge each other in a positive manner. With his advice and guidance I had the pleasure to make some lifelong friends that I can consider family. Appreciate everything you have taught us and I cannot Thank You enough brother! Mrs. Jeanette literally will move mountains for you or die trying! She is extremely pleasant, personable & knowledgeable. Mrs. Jeanette will ensure you physically have everything you need to pass. From ensuring that there is water and tents all the way to ensuring the trucks are in working order for the yard and road. When it comes to pre-trip this woman will test you to verify you are ready for any examiner. She is also responsible for everyone getting some road time when you advance to that level. Everyone gets a fair shake and if you do well enough she will give you a test date based on what is best for you. With tons of experience and a helping soul you can’t go wrong with her guidance. Thank You for everything you do not and I promise not one bit went...

amazing school. If you really want to go to a facility to get your moneys worth, Smith and Solomon Bellmawr is the place to go.This site had to have some of the most down to earth instructors and management teams I've seen. When I first began attending the school, I went in with an empty mind ready to learn as much as I can. once I got into the yard truck , no matter how comfortable I felt with the straight back Mike kept me on this particular maneuver for a few more days. Once I was done with straight back, I moved on to the 45. When I felt comfortable with the 45, Mike felt that I was ready, not for the next maneuver, but for some curve balls. He would set cones up across the entire yard and have me move the truck all the way across and reverse the truck into the designated spot. and it was at that point, when I completed the obstacle with a slight sweat, that he felt I was ready to move on. Once I began my offset maneuver, another instructor came out to the yard to see me drive. at first he was not impressed, but as days went by and I consistently rehearsing my backing skills, I started to grab his attention. As the days went by, Mr George also began throwing curve balls my way because I was known as the student who likes to get it in the spot the first time. So by shortening the backing length to just enough, he finally got my to break my bad habit. And from that point on, I knew school had officially started. George is the type of instructor that is flexible with everyone. he will analyze you from a distance and sift out your strengths and weaknesses and alter his lesson plans accordingly. He is not a "do it my way" type of instructor. he has rhythms and hymns that help you keep a good flow when studying your pre trip. Although it is a lot of information to take in, when he teaches his lessons on each part you will truly understand why u need to inspect the area, what to look for, and have a flow so that all point of contact and inspection are reached properly and precisely. Once you get out on the road George takes you step by step to make sure you have the fundamentals before moving the truck and/or driving any distances. Along with railroad crossing, underpass, intersections, and emergency stop procedures. you will have it all down pact attending the yard in Bellmawr,. The support system from everyone at the school is phenomenal, they always ways uplift you even if something did not go as planned. They try their hardest to bring your anxiety down so that you can focus on what you have to do and make some money. This school will so casually make you build a bond with a semi truck and trailer, bus, or class B truck whatever your preference is. It does not matter here and everyone is welcome. I will regularly visit and pay homage to those who helped me get to where I am today. If you want a place to make you feel like family attend here they really work...

Maybe it's changed. But I attended here about 20 years ago when they were in Cherry Hill. Paid cash, in full, up front. Did the full number of weeks advertised for this course. Every week after that when the list of people going for tests was made, I wasnt on it. It was all the guys who were there through unemployment. I guess they get priority through pressure from the state. I would speak with my instructors who all agreed I had been ready for quite awhile to go for my test. Still....nothing. I had even been helping teach some of the students who'd been struggling with alley docking. Anyway, after several weeks after I should have finished I ended up having to leave the course to take a job as I wasn't collecting unemployment and had no income. I eventually contacted years later to see if I could return and finish the course, and was told I would need to pay hundreds more if I wished to return and complete the course I had alrwady paid thousands for, and they never did their part in getting me my CDL. Again, it's been a long time and maybe they changed. But they took my money and I got nothing for it. And when I requested to return, they asked for more money. Be careful here if paying cash up front. They are now really close to my home, and I see them all the time. That's why I'm just writing the review now. My Dad went here through unemployment and had no issues. Got his CDL right when he should have gone for his test. Like I said. Instructors said I was ready. I was actually helping to teach other students how to alley dock. Every time I drove on the road, instructors said I would have easily passed if it were a test. Biggest disappointment of my life going here.

IN RESPONSE TO SCHOOLS REPLY: As I stated, maybe things have changed. But when I attended, the state funded students absolutely got first dibs at testing. I was one of the fastest to catch on in the course, and even helped other students who were struggling, only to watch those very same students sent to test before me. I had perfect attendance up until I had to leave to find work well after I should have finished the course. When I paid, I was told it was a lifetime thing, that returning to finish up is fine, or refresher training. However when I tried to return, I was told I would need to pay hundreds more. As stated. I had perfect attendance for the 5-6 weeks. The...