When I was researching CDL schools, I spent hours reading reviews and watching YouTube videos trying to figure out which school to choose.
Some reviews were only a sentence or two.
Others felt more like advertisements than honest experiences.
Now that I’ve completed training, passed my Missouri Highway Patrol Class A CDL test on my first attempt, and officially have my CDL, I wanted to write the review I wish I had found before I started. After learning how one driver entered the industry, whether truck driving is worth it can help put the career decision into perspective.
This isn’t a sponsored article.
Ross Trucking School didn’t ask me to write this.
I paid for my own training, went through the entire process myself, and this article simply shares exactly what my experience was like.
Everyone learns differently, so your experience may not be identical to mine. This is just one student’s honest perspective after recently completing the program.
It All Started With a Joke
Believe it or not, I never planned on getting my CDL.
A friend of mine owns ACE Trucking in Cairo, Missouri, and posted on Facebook that he was hiring dump truck drivers.
I jokingly commented that I’d take the job.
Instead of laughing, he simply replied…
“Go get your CDL.”
That one comment completely changed the direction of the next couple of months.
At first, I honestly thought getting a CDL was probably one written test followed by a quick driving exam.
I had no idea what was actually involved.
Soon I was scheduling a DOT physical, studying for multiple permit tests, completing the required Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT), researching CDL schools, and preparing for the Missouri Highway Patrol skills test. That process is even more relatable in a first-time CDL journey, which follows the experience of earning a Class A CDL without prior semi-driving experience.
Looking back now, I laugh at how simple I thought the process would be.
Why I Chose Ross Trucking School
One of the biggest decisions was choosing where to complete my CDL training.
Many CDL schools advertise programs lasting four to six weeks.
That works well for many students.
Ross Trucking School offered something different.
Their accelerated training program appealed to me because I learn quickly when I’m fully focused.
I didn’t necessarily want to spend six weeks in a classroom if I could dedicate myself to learning everything in a much shorter period of time.
That doesn’t mean everyone should choose a shorter program.
Everyone learns differently.
It simply matched the way I personally prefer to learn.
My First Impression
Walking into Ross that first morning…
I was nervous.
Very nervous.
Before arriving, my anxiety was probably around a five out of ten.
Pulling into the parking lot pushed it closer to an eight or nine.
I had never driven a semi.
I had never ridden in one.
I had never even climbed inside one.
I honestly had no idea what to expect.
That nervous feeling didn’t last very long.
Everyone I met was welcoming, patient, and willing to answer questions.
Instead of feeling like I had to prove I belonged there, I immediately felt like they genuinely wanted me to succeed.
That made a huge difference.
Climbing Into My First Semi Was Surprisingly Normal
One of my biggest fears before arriving was simply getting inside the truck.
I’d built it up in my head as this huge, intimidating machine.
Then I climbed in.
Honestly…
It felt a lot more normal than I expected.
The biggest difference was simply sitting much higher off the ground. Also, the fact you don’t just use Park like a normal car, you put the truck in neutral and lock both the tractor and trailer parking breaks always.
Once I was in the driver’s seat, it didn’t feel nearly as overwhelming as I had imagined.
That first moment immediately gave me confidence.
Sometimes the fear of doing something is much bigger than actually doing it.
The Instructors Really Wanted You to Learn
Nick handled much of the primary instruction during my training, but one thing I appreciated was that multiple instructors worked with students throughout the program.
Each instructor explained things a little differently. I am horrible remembering names, but everyone there was kind and helpful.
Sometimes hearing the exact same concept from another person suddenly made it click.
There was also plenty of one-on-one instruction.
If someone struggled with a maneuver or didn’t understand something, they weren’t simply left behind.
Questions were encouraged.
In fact, I’d tell future students to ask as many questions as possible.
There really aren’t any dumb questions when you’re learning to safely operate a commercial vehicle.
The instructors wanted us to understand the material, not simply memorize enough to survive the test.
I Appreciated the Christian Atmosphere
This won’t matter equally to every student, but it mattered to me.
Ross Trucking School is a Christian-owned business, and that showed in the way people treated one another. A Bible verse on the wall was encouraging to me near the break room as a Christian man myself.
Nobody was trying to force anything on anyone.
Instead, there was simply an atmosphere of kindness, respect, honesty, and genuine encouragement that I appreciated throughout my time there.
I also appreciated the pride everyone seemed to have in both their country and the trucking profession.
It created an environment that simply felt welcoming.
The Facility Was Clean and Well Organized
This might sound like a small detail, but when you’re spending long days learning, the little things matter.
The facility was clean.
The restrooms were clean and air conditioned.
There was free cold bottled water available in the refrigerator.
There was also a soda machine if you wanted one. Just 75 cents!
Katie, who worked in the office, was incredibly friendly and helpful anytime I had questions before or during the process.
Everything felt organized instead of chaotic.
She handles the entire process like setting up the testing day and time etc all for you! You just have to show up and give it your all.
One Thing I Really Liked About Test Day
One feature that stood out to me was what happened on testing day.
Rather than showing up somewhere unfamiliar and climbing into a completely different truck, Ross drove one of their training trucks to the Missouri Highway Patrol testing location.
That meant I completed my CDL test in the same truck I had already been practicing in.
I can’t overstate how helpful that was.
When you’re already nervous, removing one more unknown makes a difference.
I already knew where everything was.
I knew how the truck felt.
I knew how it turned.
I wasn’t spending mental energy adjusting to unfamiliar equipment.
The Training Was Fast, but It Wasn’t Easy
People hear “day-and-a-half program” and sometimes assume it must be easy.
That wasn’t my experience at all.
Think, a normal CDL training program is 6 weeks long and also costs 2x to 3x as much!
It was fast because there was very little wasted time.
The first day started around 7:00 a.m. and finished late in the afternoon.
The second morning started around 6:00 a.m., followed by additional practice before everyone left for their scheduled Highway Patrol testing appointments.
It was focused.
It was efficient.
It required paying attention.
You couldn’t simply show up and expect everything to magically stick.
If you weren’t willing to listen, ask questions, and practice, you’d probably struggle regardless of how long the school lasted.
The Hardest Part Wasn’t Driving
Before starting CDL school, I assumed driving the truck would be the biggest challenge. That assumption is worth examining alongside what to know before becoming a driver, especially before training begins.
I was completely wrong.
For me, the pre-trip inspection and air brake procedures were significantly harder than actually driving. Using a Missouri CDL inspection checklist during your study sessions can make the inspection portion feel more manageable before test day.
Learning dozens of truck components, understanding what each one did, knowing how to inspect them properly, and remembering everything under pressure required far more studying than I expected. One component worth knowing well before your pre-trip inspection is the air brake pushrod, which transfers braking force from the brake chamber to the slack adjuster.
Driving the truck itself wasn’t nearly as intimidating once I understood the basics.
If you’re preparing for CDL school, I’d spend extra time studying your pre-trip inspection before arriving. Along with pre-trip inspection study, advanced CDL knowledge practice can help you review the broader safety topics covered on the written exam.
It will make your life much easier.
Our CDL Pre-Trip Inspection Mistakes That Can Fail Your Test explains several of the areas that gave me the most trouble.
I Passed My CDL Test on the First Attempt
Despite all the anxiety leading up to test day…
Everything came together.
I passed my Class A CDL on my first attempt with the Missouri Highway Patrol.
I even finished the backing portion with a perfect score.
That still feels a little surreal considering I had never even sat inside a semi before beginning this journey.
After the examiner looked at me and said…
“Congratulations, you passed.”
Months of studying and worrying were suddenly over.
One of the first things I did afterward was call Ross Trucking School to personally thank everyone.
Nobody asked me to.
I simply appreciated everything they had done to help me get to that point.
Things Future Students Should Know
If you’re considering Ross Trucking School, here’s the advice I’d give.
Come prepared.
Pay attention.
Study before you arrive.
Ask every question you can think of.
Don’t assume YouTube has all the answers because a surprising amount of information online is outdated or based on older testing procedures.
If Ross gives you the opportunity to complete your required online ELDT theory before arriving, do it.
I completed mine ahead of time, which meant I wasn’t spending valuable hands-on training time sitting in front of a computer.
That let me focus on the truck instead of classroom requirements.
Is Ross Trucking School Worth It?
Based on my experience…
Yes.
Without hesitation.
That doesn’t mean every student will have the exact same experience I did.
Everyone learns at a different pace.
Some people may need additional practice or more time.
Others may already have experience around commercial vehicles before they arrive.
I’m simply sharing what happened in my case.
I walked into Ross having never even sat inside a semi.
A short time later, I walked out with my Class A CDL after passing my Missouri Highway Patrol test on the first attempt.
I honestly couldn’t have asked for a better outcome.
If you’re willing to study, pay attention, ask questions, and put in the work, I believe Ross Trucking School gives you an excellent opportunity to succeed.
My Overall Experience
If I had to summarize my experience in one sentence, it would be this:
Ross Trucking School didn’t just prepare me to pass the test. They prepared me to understand what I was doing & why.
Looking back, that’s probably the biggest compliment I can give.
Passing the CDL test matters.
Understanding why you’re doing each inspection, backing maneuver, and driving decision matters even more.
If you’re considering getting your CDL, I hope sharing my experience helps you feel a little more confident about taking that first step.
It started with a joke for me.
A few months later…
I was driving home with a brand-new Class A CDL.
Author: Daxon Weaver
Dax is the founder of TruckingResource.com and recently earned his Class A CDL after completing training at Ross Trucking School and passing his Missouri Highway Patrol CDL skills test on his first attempt. He writes first-hand trucking content to help new drivers understand the CDL process with honest, real-world experiences.