What they didn't teach me in school I made up for it in these last ten years of driving. So yes a JD Truck Training Centre school will teach you of all the CDL requirements that you need to know to pass a DOT test and get on the road. But what you need is a head start in trucking to get you prepared to the many challenges you will face.
I was sitting directly across from the Flight School building so, since I had no clue as to where to go, I got out and started walking toward the school to ask someone for directions. Before I got to the door, a white pickup truck stopped alongside me and a hyperactive little old man, who looked to be at least 70, jumped out and raced toward me with his arms flailing wildly and expletives spewing from his mouth like a geyser.
The advantage to this type of Truck driving school is the cost. It will be less expensive compared to a private school. If you are in a rush to become a truck driver, then you should also consider the time. A public institution with trucking schools take longer to complete compare to a private school. You should compare the cost, curriculum and the time that it will take to complete the course from both a private and public facility to see which is best for you.
People parks (not dog parks) are an excellent place for socialization. As long as dogs are allowed on leash, take puppy and let him see the walkers, joggers, bikers and wild life that abounds. Another benefit to parks is the exposure to multiple flooring surfaces. A typical park offers grass, concrete, gravel, wood and pine straw. Parks such as Shelley Lake in Raleigh offer all of this plus wood-plank bridges, a playground where puppy can meet some kids and of course, the lake. This is a socialization extravaganza!
The instructors will no doubt teach you about some of their experiences during the class. Until you get out on the road you won't really know the reality of what they are talking about. Two Truck licence weeks in a school with several other trainees will just barely give you enough experience to become pretty familiar with HR Truck Licence driving. You'll be able to pass the driving exam and feel pretty confident and be proud of yourselves. The company that recruits you will send you out with a trainer for several weeks for you to get a feel for how to excel and drive safely while learning the ropes. It's nice to learn from someone who has some experience.
I learned that traveling, by car, to the top of Mt Lemmon, which is located in the Santa Catalina Mountains, is some 9100+ feet above sea level. When I took Jessica, my teenaged daughter, there, we learned that going from Tucson to the top of the mountain, was like traveling from the border of Mexico to the Canadian border, as far as the changes in Temperate Zones experienced. As I recall, it was around 70 degrees in Tucson, and people were skiing on the snow, in the 20's to 30 degree mark atop Mount Lemmon.
You must be able to pass a physical exam and a drug test given by the U.S. Department of Transportation. This is to ensure you have no physical conditions (or substance abuse) that will interfere with the safe handling of a commercial truck. During your employment, you will also be subject to random drug testing. You must also pass the physical exam every two years while employed as a truck driver.