Great Lakes Truck Driving School

Negative experience: The absolute worst truck driver school to go to I wish I would a new better before I enroll there They're not really good at getting you ready to pass the state Test And the state examiners Stan and Dave are even worse Huge Egos And attitude problems And A lack of qualified Instructors

Positive experience: Getting my cdl b from this school and my class end November 6th and so far my experience been good with Great Lakes can’t wait to start my career ask a truck driver thank you great lakes

Fantastic experience: l recommend everyone to go there it’s a great school and great people Great Lakes trucking driving school

Fantastic experience: Question do you offer a paid to train cdl program

Negative experience: have some great instructors , but the equipment is in very poor condition, the state examiner sterling is very disrespectful and rude . overall the school gets a 2 out of 5. very dusty and muddy terrain, this school is too cheap, they need to invest $ into it, they definitely will fail you over anything on your state exam, only good thing was the classmates i attended school with , step up your game Great Lakes!

Negative experience: If you want to waste your time and money , yes !!!! Welcome the Great Lakes truck driving school

Fantastic experience: My instructor Manjit help with all the information. And prepared me for the test in a very short time. Fantastic experience. Thanks

Negative experience: Most of their trucks are complete trash. Always breaking down. Go to Tri-C. Sarah Batz runs the school and does a terrible job. She also “teaches” hazmat. Nothing she teaches is actually on the final test. Marvin is the best teacher at the school.

Fantastic experience: Excellent school and very professional, I would recommend it to anyone

Negative experience: These people constantly drive down my road which is narrow and use their engine breaks right outside of my house. Semis should not be on our roadway to begin with . My neighbors dog has been hit by them and because they are training these people they weave all over the place...they take up the whole road and you can't pass them. Please find somewhere else to train your people.

Fantastic experience: I had the pleasure of working with Tanya, and I must say she was a fantastic help with any concerns I had. Her expertise and willingness to assist with all my questions were remarkable. I couldn't have asked for anything better. If you ever find you have any questions , I highly recommend reaching out to Tanya for her outstanding service and knowledge. She's definitely a valuable asset to the team!

Positive experience: Today I Officially graduated from Great Lakes Trucking school. S/O to LB,Chris & Matt wolf, they were real helpful and gave good advice. Overall all the instructors were great. Only negative thing I have to say is lack of instructors at night/part time, not enough instructors to properly train you. Avoid taking your state exam here, If you fail you will have pay about $100-180 to retake the test. Examiners/school are just in for the $ and will fail you. Huge scam. I advise to take your official Exam at Atlas CDL testing Exam center it’s a lot cheaper and will save you time and money.

Fantastic experience: I could not be happier with my decision to attend Great Lakes. I took the 360 hour heavy equipment and CDL A course. This school is 100% top notch. I would also like to personally thank the heavy equipment instructors Sam and Bill they helped me from day one all the way through my state test. Two of the most Honest, Hardworking, professional people you will ever meet and their motivation was just to see me achieve my goals. Give Great Lakes a call it will change your life.

Negative experience: Do not go here too many students per instructor alot of standing around time an very little training waist of money pretty much have to teach yourself

Negative experience: The class has more than 30 students, or you have no place to sit. The deal was 4 weeks it took me more than 8 weeks. However, I did not graduated because there was a lot of students waiting for the driving tests and my contract with school was cancelled by the management after taking my money $1500. Scam

Negative experience: Military veterans stay away they only want you for your VA benefits nothing more

Negative experience: Terrible experience, instructors who do not want to teach and admin that do not care, it is a money grab and I wouldn't recommend this school to anyone.

Positive experience: Great instructors, but the heavy equipment room is consistently dirty, and the trash is never taken out from the night before. I thought they were paying a cleaning person, but I guess not...

Fantastic experience: Without any experience I came here and passed my CDL driving test within about 7 weeks. The staff were very nice and helpful.

Fantastic experience: Graduated June 14,2022. The instructors were helpful in transitioning me into a CDL position. Don Mutters actually had a hand in getting my first CDL gig. I would highly recommend this school.

Fantastic experience: Great experience and great instructors,got my cdl last year on October and currently I'm working local in Ohio and it's going pretty good,thank you great lakes for giving the oportunity to pursue a career in trucking industry.

Positive experience: I went through this school and was taught very well in 2014 or 2015 and had no problem with anything, just also wishing I could have done the heavy equipment class as well, but was more wondering if once you loose your cdl , is it possible to get it back again down the road or being able to even take just the heavy equipment class without having a cdl???

Negative experience: VETERANS PLEASE AVOID GOING HERE. Place is all about getting money. They take advantage of veteran funding and will push a veteran into the most expensive class in order to profit off them. There is no organization and will spend a lot of your time here sitting around doing nothing due to there being no structure. 100% go somewhere else

Fantastic experience: I was taught accurately well at Great Lakes Truck driving school. The staff and instructors are top of the line. I am looking forward to a successful career with my training! Thank U Great Lakes I can affirmly say that if U put in the time, and train it’s worth it’s weight in Gold!

Negative experience: Apparently this truck driving school doesn't like to teach new students how to stop at red lights along 82 and 83. If you are a person wanting to learn how to drive trucks and receive your CDL, I highly recommend you pass this school by and move on to the next school! Otherwise you probably won't have your CDL very long.

Fantastic experience: great place top take your cdl course. a bit packed but as long as you don't sit around and watch other people drive the trucks you will learn something I passed my Class A CDL test first try highly recommend this school instructors was amazing especially TONY!!! but i got along with all of them they will walk you thru each maneuver and if your having troubles they will help you along the way they will joke with you and talk to you like a normal person instead of talk to you like an instructor as long as you pay attention and stay off your phone and participate you will not have any issue passing what so ever

Fantastic experience: Thank you Great Lakes Truck Driving School for an amazing experience, the staff was absolutely helpful from the first day i sign up all the way through the classes. Learned everything in such a short time from all the best instructors. I recommended signing up for your Cdl classes.

Fantastic experience: I just graduated today with my CDL B (the class was only 4 days). Jim is a GREAT instructor , very patient , knowledgeable, kind and funny. I would recommend him and this school to anyone. Thank you Jim for teaching me what I know in a short period of time and it was truly a pleasure working with you‼️

Negative experience: Terrible school… Poor Quality Equipment.. Overcrowded Classes.. It’s all about getting your money ..

Fantastic experience: I went in to remove 2 restrictions from my class A in my own truck a 42ft car hauler straight truck. Stan was my Examiner and he was by far the best one that I have ever had he was relaxed and just easy to communicate to and doesnt make you nervous during the test and he truly wants you to pass and will do everything he legally can to help you pass. When i say that i mean i failed the parking the first time cause i wasnt all the way in the box and before the test he just kept reminding me to get out and look and i ended up passing. I just really wanted to thank stan for an amazing experience at this school along with everyone else that i had the pleasure of meeting

Fantastic experience: It was an AWESOME Place to Learn and Enjoyed it Immensely. Teachers Were Very Good and Knowledgeable and We Had Fun Doing it. Best Part was Learning how to Play with the Big Tonka Toys, And Get Certified For It.

Fantastic experience: I just started three weeks ago. Sarah my classroom instructor is VERY GOOD at her job. Her knowledge and instructor skills are amazing.

Negative experience: I am currently enrolled in the school 200 hours for CDL. The class size was about 26 people this is horrible when it comes to spending time in the yard or on the road. You’re bounced around from one section to another without actually being taught the concept of the maneuver. There are a few instructors that actually help you and teach the maneuver then there’s others that you have to beg for help. I get it 26-40 ppl in the yard with 7 instructors but why take on so many students when you don’t have the trucks or the employees? Let’s do the math 26*6k. I get it now. Smh There’s so much more I could had done with $5700. There has been days that the students have waited for 2+ hours for the yard to be set up for the day. Then your hours for the day are now messed up because of them not being prepared. The only way you get help is if your company has a contract with them or you’re a woman. Other than that you’re not helped. Due to their incompetence some of us will be here longer than the 5 weeks that was discussed. As I said there are great instructors here the school is ran poorly just like a trucker mill.

Fantastic experience: Great place to get your cdl. Instructors are experienced and helpful. This is the place that i would recommend.

Negative experience: Horrible experience joining this truck driving school. Do not join in here.

Fantastic experience: Greatest

Fantastic experience: Jim is an outstanding examiner and instructor! Went in to take my Class A CDL driving test, and the nerves were jumping. Jim talked me down and kept me calm the entire time, he was very professional while also being down to earth. Great man you guys have!

Fantastic experience: Good programs and a great staff. One stop shop, from training, to certification, to a job.

Fantastic experience: I can’t thank this school enough. From Tony G to Matt and Carl won’t forget any of you. I can’t not forget Angela and Alex and Stan you guys were a great help. It has given me a career yes a school that you can definitely go to and know when you graduate and get your license that you have a job which plenty of recruiters come to and offer you to apply at the school. It gives you the unlimited possibilities to path that you can choose to make a amazing career out of. I also would like to thank Roger and the amazing Ms.Tanya my school recruiter and coordinator who helped me enroll and was there if I needed anything and Ms Maria literally helped me when I need it the most .Thank you Great Lakes Truck Driving School it was great!

Fantastic experience: When looking for a trucking school, I was very overwhelmed. I am so thankful that I chose to go to Great Lakes truck driving school. This school has amazing instructors, Plenty of resources, And over all a team that wants you to succeed. I recommend this truck driving school to everyone I meet who is intrested in the field.

Fantastic experience: Looks like a great training facility! Staff is knowledgeable and helpful! I am looking forward to training there!

Fantastic experience: Very awesome school especially the instructors all the staff very helpful awesome customers service

Fantastic experience: Great school to go to

Fantastic experience: GTLDS is a great school! I highly recommend it. I took the the heavy equipment and CDL courses and had an absolute blast and learned a lot. I had straight truck driving experience coming in so I can't testify as a newbie. But many of my classmates, who I became good friends with, had never driven a truck or a manual transmission vehicle before in their lives and they were all trained the same way as me and all walked away very comfortable with driving a semi. They have a full time career services employee named Dustin who comes from a family of truckers and knows a lot about the industry. He was available to talk to anytime, and I feel great knowing that I can go back at any point in my career and the school will help me find work.

Fantastic experience: My research pointed me to this place. I visited and was impressed. Looking forward to starting school, as soon as everything open back up.

Fantastic experience: A good place to learn truck driving.

Fantastic experience: A great place for a lost veteran to find their way. The office staff and trainers are top notch. They were the first step in helping me get my life together and I can't thank them enough. It was a warm experience that I'll never forget even if it was cold and snowy lol. I graduated at the end of December and now am embarking on a career with a top national carrier. The first chance I get I'll be stopping by again to convey my appreciation personally.

Fantastic experience: I can’t believe it’s been 8 years since I went here. It was a lot of fun. Well worth the time. I heard about Steve, such a sad occurrence. He was awesome!

Fantastic experience: My Husband Loves it there.

Fantastic experience: Just from hearing the reviews from graduates verbally and those that was posted online, this is a good school with good instructors. The only problem is, that if you live in cleveland, at least where i am at, it takes 45 minutes to get there and the same time to get back. That may prevent a challenge for people. Especially if you dont have a vehicle and using a wia gant to pay for tuition. Besides that, i believe it would be a wonderful place for a individual to learn the basics and possibly move forward to a long carreer in trucking.

Negative experience: My husband had bad experience...administration is good but instructors for drivings part not good .i suggest stay away

Fantastic experience: Hands down the best school for people who want to get into the truck driving business. The instructors are the best, and most caring individuals. They genuinely care to see you become successful. I will never forget Toni, Marty, Rich, Joe, Vinny, Dave, Danny, Fast Eddie, and "Honkie with the Donkey!" You won't find better. The guys in charge Chuck, Doc, and Phil are truly the best, when I asked for more time on the road they gave it to me, when I asked for more help with pre trip they gave it to me. This school is built with class. Thank you Roger for running such great organization, he has the best staff in place his financial aid ladies are so awesome and kind! If you guys are looking for a school this is the one ask for Don!

Fantastic experience: By far the best learning experience that I’ve had. If you go through the courses and do what you’re told to do the right way, you’ll pass everything you do the first time. I absolutely love and respect the yard instructors here. Huge shoutout to Tony, Rick, Danny, Eddie, Vince, Gerald aka honky with a donkey, Joe, Dave, Marty, chuck, doc, and Phil. All great instructors and people in general. They are all properly secured, not cracked or leaking except for Jerry. Jerry’s all kinda of cracked, broken and leaking. He had me all kinds of bent and twisted with some of the experiences that he put me through but I did not let that stop me from getting my job done. A special shoutout to Don and the best financial office ladies I know. They’re awesome! I’ll forever represent Great Lakes Truck Driving School

Fantastic experience: I recommend that any one looking for excellent truck driving school go or come to great lakes truckdriving school. They have the best training experience in the trucking industry. I rate them 5-stars hands down! Student-k.davis,jr.

Fantastic experience: Great school. Good instructors.

Fantastic experience: Great school. Caring instructors

Negative experience: Went to this school and I’m telling you had the worst Experience in my life only good thing in this school was some of the instructors and teachers but the good ones left or were let go other than that completely waste of time and your money all they care about is getting you graduated and that’s it they said they would help you find a job but they could care less, I would not waste my time or money ever going back to the school. You’re better off just learning from a family member or a friend that already has a CDL that will teach you. You will save so much time and money.

Fantastic experience: Great place to learn. Fantastic instructors. They go above and beyond to make sure your prepared for your state test. Highly recommended.

Positive experience: Really like the fact i can get my cdl,oilfied and gas course very professional

Fantastic experience: Outstanding and knowledgeable staff excellent courses and overall outstanding experience!

Fantastic experience: great teachers very knowledgeable and very helpful great all around atmosphere

Fantastic experience: The instructors really teach well and are patient but at the same time reassure you that u have what it takes to be a commercial driver.

Fantastic experience: Good place, good trainers, nice environment.

Fantastic experience: Great Lakes Truck Driving School Is Really Great!!!!!!

Fantastic experience: Jerry is a Very great instructor he helps out alot

Fantastic experience: The instructors are well experienced and very knowledgeable of the truck driving industry. Also they school is financially affordable and even have educational loan programs for what your financial aid doesn’t cover. Good hands-on equipment and they have a good, safe, and fun learning environment. I’ve learned so much already and I’ve only had one week in class out of the eight weeks I have. They have a wide variety of trucking companies that have recruiters come out to the school in the class rooms and give information about their company to help students decide where they want to start their trucking career. Altogether Great Lakes Truck Driving School’s stuff works together and hard to make sure that their students get the knowledge, the training, and the experience they need to be well prepared for the trucking company they choose to go with after graduation.

Fantastic experience: Great school instructors are nice and pleasant to learn from. Good facilities and plenty of trucks to learn from.

Fantastic experience: Good teachers and they move along at a good pace. Very friendly and helping.

Fantastic experience: Friendly and very informative.

Positive experience: Great school, very helpful instructors and a very nice facility. Everyone is very friendly. As long as you put in the work you will succeed with this school.

Fantastic experience: Great School great instructors. I couldn't have picked a better school for training. Thanks for opportunity.

Fantastic experience: Great

Fantastic experience: thank you guys and RUSS his a grate teacher

Fantastic experience: 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

Negative experience: Awful company! Awful experience!

Positive experience: 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

Positive experience: My experience with Great Lakes was one of a kind when I first came I didn't kno what to expect because of the unknown but as time revealed its self and I started to apply myself to the training the instructors helped me accordingly I started to feel more and more at ease with the trucks because of there understanding of each student were not all the same and we grasp things differently but I seen and felt they knew that when I was learning my way around these trucks I mean what more can u ask for as a student from a teacher

Fantastic experience: 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 .

Fantastic experience: 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!

Negative experience: 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!

Fantastic experience: Awesome school and even better staff and instructors

Fantastic experience: Solid group of instructors who know the trucking / construction industry. Went back in 2015, and not one day do I regret coming here.

Fantastic experience: Hands down the best trucking driving school in ohio.

Fantastic experience: Good School, GREAT STAFF, MIKE B. THE MOST PATIENT INSTRUCTOR .... overall all the staff are awesome and great

Fantastic experience: This really is a great place. All the instructors are nice and explain everything to you in detail and help you however they can. If you are serious about getting your CDL, then this is the place to go.

Positive experience: Went there good people

Fantastic experience: BEST SCHOOL EVER