Great Lakes Truck Driving School

I just finished my 40 hour refresher course here March 03.2018( haven't driven for 22 years) and I am really happy with my experience.I researched other schools and they insisted I take the full course. I want to thank Don, Mike, Terry, H and all the other instructors for their patience as I was really rusty at my skills. Yesterday I just passed my road test for the great R+L Carriers out in Columbiana Ohio and wish all of you the best! Thanks, Troy
5 7 years ago (07-03-2018)

UPDATED FROM JULY 2017, SEE BELOW I wish I could leave 0 stars as my experience here differ from the 5 star ratings that you "potential clients" see on here. Therefore, this lone star represents the instructors (the underpaid, backbone of this outfit), the receptionist, the placement guys, and the admissions reps as they were great. Apparently, consistency has dropped off in recent months as i am a recent grad (within the past month; with pictures to prove it), but it's very possible that there is some sort of favoritism, or discriminatory agenda here. I voluntarily demoted myself from a class A to a class B CDL to save on time as my unemployment compensation was running out, and time was not on my side. This school's front office pretty much forced me to stay longer than needed (if I didn't, no graduate), stating I still needed 200 total hours of course work (that's for a class A, not B..class B doesn't require near that many), because they didn't want to give any grant money back to the government (I was told this was the reason by one of their employees; this greed will now come at a cost as i will not be referring anyone to go here), this extra wasted time put me in a bad situation as I haven't found a driving job yet, my unemployment compensation has run out, and now I'm forced to go back to the seasonal roofing job I was at before I started school just to make a temporary paycheck..I enrolled in this school to obtain year round stable work because I'm tired of seasonal and unemployment compensation! Also, my Class B CDL has an "automatic only" restriction on it because I had to take the best course of action to ensure me passing at the testing sight (I saved them money here also by cancelling a refresher session), when I was first using a manual vehicle (which i didn't get quality time to use..a recipe for failure; which i succeeded in doing my first time out at the testing sight)...Mr. Nease informed me that the school will pay all fees associated with the lifting of this restriction if I chose to do so in the future, I even offered to pay for my license! He never sent the email (he gave his word) of our agreement, or returned any of my phone calls (I called twice), but I did save our texts messages of this agreement, also this restriction just cost me a job with MPW Industrial Services! The front office needs a makeover! Between all this, and the hassle of their possession of only one class B manual vehicle (it was broke down for 2 weeks, inconveniencing me further), giving another class B student (recent grad) more practice time than I received, and them cramming Class A students (who didn't want the automatic restriction on their license, so they used the B manual vehicle to prevent this) back there (training yard) with me, thereby robbing me of precious time with the manual vehicle to better prepare for the state test, and move forward with my life; I WOULDN'T DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN!! I will be contacting the Ohio Department of Public Safety to look into all the standing around going on out there in the training yard, as the hours they are reporting are not the true hours the students are receiving. Now, I'm sure that Hamrick Truck Driving school would've been a better choice for me..I'm deeply saddened, and very upset by the way I was treated and it's outcome, and I hope none of "you" have to go through similar nonsense!! P.S. the review you see on here from Jeff Rhodes is fake, as he's an instructor of this school, not a recent graduate..that review was added in an attempt to counter the facts that I've laid here before you, also there isn't close to 35 trucking schools near Ohio! Thanks for reading, and good luck to you all... Update as of today 5/31/18, I have been informed that the State is currently investigating this school because it received numerous complaints that are similar to mine, also State financial grants also have been put on hold for this school. Thanks be to God!
1 7 years ago (31-05-2018)

I am a recent graduate of Great lakes class of July 2017 before I signed up for the class, I researched 35 different truck driving schools. I had visited all of them looking for the best training to start my new career as a truck driver. Great Lakes had hands down impressed me.This began with the first call where I spoke to Theresa and she provided me with helpful resources & information to the initial visit to the school where Chris, Roger, Christine, Holly, Mike, and Doris (the owner) made me feel welcome and a part of the Great Lakes Family. They really took the time to explain the program and answer all of my questions and concerns. Gary ( the yard master) has a wealthy knowledge base and was willing to go above and beyond to help everyone and can multitask like no one else. Traci who takes care of all the hours and scheduling for class and tests is very thorough and very approachable. She also follows up after your testing and will provide you with excellent care and service. The instructors in the yard and classroom focus on your success and they have a desire to teach skills and technique and how to perform them safely, not just to pass the test. Their focus is to create a professional and competent truck driver. Jerry in the classroom keeps your attention and focus. H, Rob, Mike, Bill, Jeff, Tony, Dave, Cedric, Terry, Brandi, and Coleman not only teaches you the fundamentals and skills required of every driver in their yard but they make you feel a part of the family at Great Lakes. They provide personalized instruction for every student as they feel like your success is also their success. I highly recommend that if you are pursuing your career as a truck driver that you look no further. The team at Great Lakes goes above and beyond to help you and guide you to your new profession. I am thoroughly pleased and confident in the choice I made and if I had it to do over again, there is no doubt in my mind that it would be Great Lakes all the way!
5 8 years ago (29-07-2017)

am a recent graduate of Great lakes class of August 2017 before I signed up for the class, I researched 4 different truck driving schools. Great Lakes trucking school is the best Choice you will ever take. I would like to thank all my instructors for the best job that provided to us during my course . Thank you again and God bless you all .
5 8 years ago (24-08-2017)

Well where do I start, if there’s any bad review don’t beleave it, just go see nd Experience it yourself, Bc I read some bad reviews And i judge the school wrong.. It’s a good school that you can find, the managers , owners all those guys in there are great people nd they help you if you have any questions My instructor in class David Welch your the best and a great teacher and thank you for everything. The instructors on the field ; John, Derrek, Mike, Gonzalez, Jeff, Big Ed. And specially one person (Mr H) you are the best Instructor there is no one like you, your techniques 👍 If it wasn’t for you Mr H I don’t think I would’ve got my My CDL license within four weeks. Thank you my friend Mr. Hakija Hidic ( Mr H) 12-11-2017 .... (Naz) Nazmi
4 8 years ago (12-12-2017)