Katlaw Driving School Can't be trusted with your money, time or driving career Austell Georgia

I was told that the class would take 3 weeks so I was excited to start and took out a loan for the 4k to attend.  I even turned down 1 job during my process of getting in the class just because of the promises I was made about the 3 weeks.  Then 1 week into training was offered ANother job that I again turned down because I had already paid for my classes and wanted to finish what I started and get the opportunity to make higher pay.  I quickly learned that the 3 weeks was all a lie.  Yes SOME people were able to pass in 3 weeks, but I was there and I say many people fail each level of testing and had to wait weeks to get back into training, Including myself.  

Things they didn't say in advance. 

They didn't say that if you don't pass the written test in class, you would have to wait up to weeks before you could come back to retest and then get on the yard to start driving the trucks.  

They didn't say that you would be packed in a group to practice in trucks with very little time to master each skill before they hurd you off to take the State road test EVEN when you have expressed that you aren't ready to take the test yet.  

They didnt say that if you don't pass the road test you will have to wait Several weeks before you are called to go Back on the yard and practice for just 1 week before they hurd you off to take the road test again.  Keep in mind that you have been completely off the trucks for weeks and have had no contact or practice in those weeks that you are just sitting waiting for a call.  

The first time I went to go take the State road and pretest, 9 of 10 of us Failed.  Now if this was a college or gradeschool class that failed a test, who would be the blame, the students or the instructor???

Weeks Later, The second time I went for the road test 6 of 10 of us failed...

  I was there every day! ON time and put in my best to get my CDL. I have a family to provide for and my wife had to take on more of the financial burden while I foolheartedly trusted the Wrong school with my training.

I am usually a fast learner and catch on to Anything mechanical like a breeze.  I could blame Katlaw for me failing the  road tests Every time I went to take them but instead,  I blame them for not providing the tools to help me succeed. I blame them for not being upfront and honest about the TRUE training time and the additional fees involved if you need additional help or personal time driving the trucks.  They were more helbent on getting me to spend more money for things that should have been included.  Why should I have to pay extra for extra time to practice if I have a road test the next day? Why should I wait several WEEKS before i get additional time in a truck and even Then be packed in a truck with several students who are all anxiously waiting for time to drive. (A very short time each day)I have NEVER driven a semi in my life so why would someone be automatically expected to pass a State test after weeks with no truck driving in between practices?

No tutors available, No one on one time to get to know the truck.  No sympothy or support for those who just Didn't get it on the first try! Not everyone learns the same way! In the months I was in and out of there, instuctors changed up several times and some of them just shouldn't have ever been hired because they just weren't meant to teach.  

Another thing that they dont tell you is that these jobs out here DON'T hire new CDL drivers to work locally. You MUST be willing and able to be on the road for at least 6 months will little to NO time at home.  I have a wife and kids that i can not and would not leave for months on end. I remember there was one of my classmates that passed early in and he was immediately shipped around the country, made to sleep in cheap, bug infested motels and never told where he was going in advance and when he could get back home. He was away for 2 months and He would call me every 2-3 days with his troubles and before it was over he quit and took the greyhound home at his own expense.  When he tallied up his check it was less than minimum wage. This is what they don't tell you about in their pitch or during your orientation or classes.  

So when I went back the final time after (failing 3x's) and requested to be rescheduled for my test, I was denied.  No further contact from them. No certificate to at least show that i DID in fact Pass and complete all Their tests...no proof that I could take to another school and pickup from where I left off.   I was actually told that I would have to pay them for any written proof that I attended.  The entire experience was an extreme financial backset for me and my family.  I wasted over 6 months trying to obtain my CDL thru them.  Valuable time and money that could have been well spent elsewhere. I was not the only person that had a bad experience there and I'm sure i won't be the last.  If you put your all into your learning the school should give their all to commit to you succeeding. To say that you have Failed and you can not come back AND you cannot have proof that you even participated and passed their classes is a slap in the face.

  I still want my CDL for my own purposes but this school won't get another dime of my money.