Florida CDL Truck Driving School — Local services in Haines City

I had been thinking about and researching truck driver training and obtaining my CDL for quite a while. This was the perfect time in my life to think about driving a “big rig” interstate as my son is grown, I love challenging myself to do jobs that women (in my generation) may not have considered when choosing a profession, more and more women are integrating into trucking careers and I’m a loner anyway. 🙂 I had to finish my teaching contract but still wanted to get a head start on the rigorous training (I had a lot to learn). Florida CDL offered a flexible training schedule around any current work obligations. The location was 1 1/2 hours from my home but the opportunity to train around my schedule and the fact that prior students gave great reviews were my top priorities. I began training part time on Saturdays, then moved to full time when I completed my work commitment. The business and the atmosphere were culturally diverse, inclusive and extremely professional. On my first day I was told that if I was uncomfortable for any reason to come to a staff member immediately. Even though I can handle most situations myself, the acknowledgment that sometimes humans don’t act as they should, and there would be support if that occurred, went a long way in establishing my comfort level. It should be noted though, there were no issues with other students. In fact, everyone was helpful and supportive giving fist bumps when someone passed their tests and encouragement if not. The only “complaint” about other students is that one or two may give you unsolicited advice and what they consider as helpful tips on how to drive. Dude, you got here 5 minutes ago too…thanks but no thanks. 😂😂 Awww, I know they mean well. A huge thank you, hugs and high fives to the instructors: Jonathan, for pre-trip inspections, Knito, backing and parking and Manny, for on the road driving. Jonathan cracked me up every day with his high energy at o’dark thirty and no nonsense “telling it like it ought to be” approach. As long as you did your independent study on pre trip inspections as he suggested (and you have to if you want to pass your test), and did not throw your trash around their complex when there are 12 garbage cans (yes adults did this 😳) you would not get the Jonathan lectures and stare down. 😄 I struggled with offset backing but Knito makes a point of figuring out what techniques or instruction are not being understood and he takes the time to patiently talk it through with students and re-teach the concepts. The school also offers extra practice at the end of the day. Manny must have nerves of steel to go on the road and sit beside students who have never driven a truck that size, all the while delivering instruction in that calm, controlled demeanor that he possesses. He was diligent about communicating what students needed to do better but always ended the session with positive praise. I passed my CDL exam today! I am going to miss everybody there though. I’m already “homesick.” 🙂 If you are thinking of attending, get a head start by going to YouTube Ramon CDL and he takes you through (in sections) pre trip inspections and railroad crossing. I highly recommend...

THIS SCHOOL WILL NOT SET YOU UP FOR ENTRY LEVEL POSITIONS! Major carriers that will take an entry level driver require 80-120 hrs of school. You will walk out with nowhere near that. I received 16 hours even though I was there from 7 until about 12 to 2, M-S for about 3 weeks, and they claim it would take 8 months to receive those hours, but I confirmed with other schools they could do it in 4-6 weeks. I was assigned a testing date on my first day of training and was told it could not be changed unless I paid $300. You only get about 4 days of road driving, and it's about 30 minutes a day. I paid $800 more for the manual option, but only used manual for the on road driving. I asked for additional time behind the wheel, but was denied any extra time. When I started applying for entry level jobs at nearly every major carrier, I was informed by all the recruiters that I would have to go though their school to get the hours before doing their on the road training, and then getting into my own truck. I was starting all the way back at the beginning, which I could have avoided altogether if I had just decided to sign up directly with a carrier and go through their school. When I called to discuss these issues with Florida CDL, and I did so with no hostility or disrespect, management and the front desk was extremely dismissive and Omar hung up on me because "they don't have time for me." I paid $3500 for a Class A CDL with manual option, but barely touched a manual truck, and I'm having difficulties getting a job because I don't have enough hours listed. They are not upfront with any of this. They are definitely aware of the situation and have other students stuck in limbo as well, but they don't care since they already have your money. Per several recruiters of trucking companies I have spoken with, I got taken advantage of. About a week after our last conversation, I needed to call them to get a copy of my completion certificate, and my number was blocked which is absolutely unprofessional because I was not calling them incessantly or harassing them in any way. I used a different number to call and was told originally by Joan she would email it, but it was never sent. When I called back again, Omar the manager answered and told me they won't do it and I shouldn't have lost the original, then placed me on hold and put me back with Joan who informed me Omar would not let her. I'm in the middle of moving to TN and was in need of the certificate immediately and not able to access everything at that very moment as it's all packed up. I find it unacceptable to be denied a simple PDF copy of my certificate from a school that I paid a lot of money to attend and would not cost their company more than 2 minutes to send, especially given my email is also on file with them already. Management and front desk are completely unprofessional and their attitudes are unacceptable. Know what you're getting into before attending this school, and if you're looking to jump into an entry level job with Knight, Schneider, Prime, Swift, Werner, Western Express, etc then contact them directly, go through their school and just do the contracted time. Save yourself...

Got my CDL in 13 days of training. Thanks a lot to Jonathan (who passed by every day seeing me near the truck and checked my pre trip) and Ramon (great staff mentor and professional)

Here is what I can say about this school:

Good Great marketing. Staff has personalized T-Shirts with names on (nice to look at). Pretty nice (for a trucking business) campus. Descent price (compare to the market) Feeling like you are in the system Easy to set up test date

Bad I’ve been in the school every day for the last 13 days. There is a big problem with practicing time. Every day you can drive about 15-25 minutes ONLY. I’m pretty good with self motivation- but it was a stress even for me to realize this time is not enough for beginner who has no idea how the truck drives). Every time you come, you put your name on the board. There are 20 students like you… if you come after 7 am you have to sit there all day waiting for your turn, which doesn’t make ANY sense. Or come at 6 AM and be the first… I would definitely set up personalized appointments by time with each student, so everyone can go by their own schedule and have at least 45 minutes of driving time.

I would expect from the driving school to have more tips with explanation how to perform parking exercises. Unfortunately, watching how someone, who is a professional truck driver, park in 5 seconds with eyes closed, doesn’t give me, personally, idea how to park by myself. Thanks to Ramon who showed me some tricks with alley dock and thanks to online simulators.

Online payment system they use is from ancient times . I couldn’t make a payment for 2 days . Their online system showed the screen with transaction successfully processed, but they haven’t seen money into their account. After research , I accidentally used a wrong ZIP in the payment. It would nice (and it absolutely make sense) to have a screen with explanation why your payment doesn’t go through… I’ve been charged $60 late fee for this (as a person who processed transaction on time) and had no idea they haven’t received the money. People have other business to do besides the school - and online payment should be intuitive and convenient for a student - not only for school.

4.. School provides cold tap water. Thanks for this, but this water is not drinkable, due to bad water in FL😅 Would be great to have a filtered water instead, so students could not only have idea , but drink it….)

I think this school has a big potential, but some...