Complaint Review: TDI Truck Driver Institute

  I feel like the person who wrote this report might not have understood how the whole thing worked before they signed on to the program, because I had a completely different experience with TDI in Sanford Florida. The trainers were all extremely nice and helpful. Without them and all of their efforts, I might not have passed my CDL test. When I went in to sign up the explained everything very clearly...the background check fee, the tuition, everything. My only complaint is, for what you pay, you should really get at least one more weeks worth of training before they cut you loose to work in a truck. Two weeks just doesn't seem like enough time to really become proficient at the job. That said, I did my due diligence and researched all the ways to go about getting my CDL. If you have at least 3-6 months that you can wait before going, I would absolutely recommend going to any of the Florida State or county job centers and applying for help with tuition. If you qualify (being out of work makes you a shoe-in for assistance here), they might pay some or all of the cost of TDI or Roadmaster, thereby saving you most or all of the cost. It just takes them a minimum of 90 days to process and approve the grant, and I didn't have that long to wait. I wish I had, in retrospect, because it's not TDI that is aggressive and bullying, it's Standard Financial Services, their loan provider. I'll just say that they have an F rating by the BBB. That pretty much tells you all you need to know, and if you can avoid having them in your life, you absolutely should. As far as TDI goes, it's a solid training program with good guys working for you to help you achieve your goal. Sarge, Terry, Joe... they're the best, they're fair and theybwill help you if you're willing to get out there and do the work. Also, calling people at a truck driver training place "fascist" is absolutely ridiculous and makes it very hard to take your story seriously. Hyperbole is unnecessary, honestly.

My name is Ed.  I read this report with interest.  My experience with TDI could not be more different.

I met with Todd at TDI in Sanford.  I had to drive five hours to get there.  It was the day before Thanksgiving--this year.

Because of traffic I didn't arrive until nearly 5 PM.  I spoke with Todd along the way and advised him of my approximate ETA. He stayed there until I arrived and spent as much time with me as I wanted.  He showed me one of the student trucks, had me sit in the cab and explained all the gizmos inside.  

He answered every single question I had in a straightforward manner.  He told me about the cost, the employer process, the employer tuition payback process, even which employers offering the best deals.  MY BS detector did not go off once.  There was absolutely no pressure to pay a dime or to sign anything.  He even gave me the contact information to the appropriate government re-training center to see if I could qualify for tuition assistance.  

I am still giving trucking serious thought.   I research a lot and then make a decision.   If I decide to take the leap I will choose TDI to educate me.  

Hi, my name is Melisa and I also did an interview with Mr. Anderson and what this lady is complaining about is no where near accurate. It is a shame that someone that writes a report like this to harm someone that is trying to help is sad. Mr Anderson was very professional and tells you like it is. When ever someone goes to be trained for a new career, you can qualify for the job, but you still have to either pay cash or finance it. Because you might have been turned down has nothing to do with the training center trying to teach you.This person is someone that expects something for nothing. It is sad, but this person should be the one that a dispute should be written up for. Because of her ignorance of what it takes to get a new career and that she did not have what it took to get it done has taken the time to try a ruin a very good person like Mr Anderson . Shame, Shame, Shame. If you're looking to get a cdl license and a high paying job,you contact Mr. Anderson he is the best.Remember for every badmouth there are thousands of success stories.

Regards

Melisa 

I have confided in TDI a couple time in the last year. I came to a dead end where i wasnt able to find a co signer because in this economy it is hard to find someone with good credit. My recuiters name is Todd S. He said well look. this is what we can do.. and referred me to my local one stop career center for scholarship money so i can get my CDL. He ran my background test to give to one stop. Now i am on my last step before i find out if i can get the scholarship or not... The guys at roadmaster told me oh well.. But TDI is accually lead me in a direction so i could possibly get help... Todd has called me a couple times to see how things are going and told me to keep chugging away. something roadmaster hasnt done.. So i am upset that i ran into this and the original poster hasnt a clue what they are talking about... PS. my wife is even thinking about it!

My wife and I contacted Truck Driver Institute in May, 2013, after she read an ad in the local paper for over the road truck drivers needed. Mr. Anderson set up an appointment for us within a day or two, and we visited TDI, Sanford, Florida.

Mr. Anderson was very personable. He told me about the $50 charge for a background check, which he ran immediately when I paid the $50. He said that everything was clear. He told me about the $6,000 tuition and the loan. He also said that most applicants end up having to put about 50% down. He told me about all the companies that hire through their school, and that most students have at least one pre-offer during the second week of school. (I received my pre-offer during my first week, and received several more preoffers during my three weeks.)

There were no loan papers to sign until I was in my third week. At that point, the school director sat down with me in his office and we went over the paperwork, which I signed. I now am working for a major trucking company who is paying off my TDI tuition loan.

Frankly, I'm not sure why this person believes that TDI is a ripoff. Mr. Anderson disclosed everything up front, and there were no surprises. They do feed their graduates to major trucking companies, including TransAm, Schneider, Stevens, Covenant, and many others.

The trucks at TDI are old and used. However, I did not see any safety issues, and they all worked well. I would not expect a driving school to have brand new, top-of-the-line trucks for students to abuse while learning to drive. Even the truck I've been training in at my company is not brand new, but it is in good shape for its age and mileage.

Finally, the staff supervises the students and educates them on all facets of the trucking industry. The instructors all are experienced drivers, and give an accurate depiction of life in the real world of driving. TDI is certified by the State of Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) to administer CDL driving exams. In fact, once I passed my exam at TDI, I drove to the local DHSMV office and picked up my new CDL.

Although the girl here obviously feels ripped off its not a legit complaint.  So, for anyone looking at TDI dont read too much into her complaint.

 I spoke with recruiters at TDI as well and they made it more than clear that you must have a clean background or companies wont hire you. They even tell you that if you have a record dont spend the 50 bucks. Trucking companies dont hire people with criminal backgrounds so they cant place you with a company if your record comes back bad. Thats what the 50 bucks was for. 

They also make it clear that the credit check is for a loan to pay for the schooling. After you get hired with a trucking company your new employer will reimburse the loan amount over time.  My credit is bad so I was told I'd need a cosigner for the 6k.   No big deal. If you don't accept the loan terms than just dont sign anything. All you lose is 50 bucks.

Overall, TDI is more than informative. I think this girl just didnt ask enough questions. Definitely unfair to call them a ripoff just bc you leave not understanding what you are told. 

 hi my name is james lang and this person that wrote this report is a lier. truck driver institute is the best cdl training school in the nation. this person most likely did a background check ,like I did when i went there for my training. what is uphappy about is he did not qualify for a industry hireing program ,which mean he would not get a job. people like this dont always tell the other side of the story. if you go to the florida state website and check the department of education you will find out that truck driver institute is rated number one in the state of florida.if you call the better business in sanford you will also find that the school mr. anderson is rated aaa rating with the better busniess  bureau they are listed aaa. The biggest reason I'am taking the time to write this is mr. anderson was my recruiter and this person that wrote is completely wrong on his judgement of mr. anderson. when i was at the school everyone there had there jobs before they were released from school. this is a bogess report and i will say this young man did not qualify with the trucking industry therefore they denied him into the training. mr anderson is one of the most passtionate people i have ever met and i hope people that read this understand this is bad report. You cant be the number one employer in the state and be what this young claims. PLEASE understand in the field there are a few that cany get into the system and they blame the school. yes i gave 50.00 for my background check . the reason they do a nation wide background is to verify employment. this person thinks that they stole his 50.00 . i laugh at this report because it is not accurate. I have found that for every complaint against mr anderson and truck driver institute there are thousands of success stories. remember there is always two sides to every story and this report is untrue