Georgia Driving Academy
Directory
3.3
18 Google reviews
ABOUT US
ABOUT US

From 1998 – 2016, GDA was awarded its first accreditation through the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education (COE is a nationally accrediting body). GDA continues to strive to be the leader in the commercial training industry. Over the years, GDA has invested in updating its training equipment and building its own training DVDs. In the past 25 years, a lot of great things have happened at GDA including opening up its second campus in Columbus, Georgia in July 2011. Since 2011 the location has continued to grow and on March 15, 2020, GDA’s Columbus Campus moved to its new facility located at 3625 Manchester Expressway, Columbus, GA 31909. The 2,750 square foot office/classroom is adjacent to the Steven’s Transport CDL test site and GDA’s CDL training range.

FAQS
What kinds of CDL training does GDA offer?
Class A CDL, Class B, CDL Refreshers, and Customized Programs
How long does CDL training take?
from 3-weeks for full-time training or 9 weekends for part-time training.
How can I get a job in trucking?
GDA has job placement services
Is student housing available?
No

Contact us

Working hours
Working
Monday - Friday
8 AM–5:30 PM
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed
Feedback
Feedback

A total of 18 reviews

Reviews of our users
Reviews

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Joia
5
Joia

What I can say is, I passed. So to me that means the instructors did their job very well. Giving us the basic skills and knowledge to safely drive on the road, do maneuvers and learn how to check our vehicles before we get on the road. Now the entire first two weeks I was stressed out trying to learn so much in a short amount of time. My week in the yard was the toughest because the trucks weren't all acting right at the time...they were breaking down, so it just wasn't easy to learn maneuvers that week. I wish the owner/director would put more money into the undercarriage of those trucks, seriously. Still passed though because again, the instructors gave us key tips on how to handle those raggedy trucks, and it worked. So kudos to all my instructors, not one was better than the other for the simple fact I learned something important from every single one, from the classroom to the road. I had a great time with them and my classmates. Kristen and Mr. T were super cool too. It was a loooong 3 three weeks at GDA but I made some good memories.

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Tay Gree
1
Tay Gree

Whoever answer the phone needs better training or a different job! I believe her name is Toya or something like that. I wanted to attend this school, but after talking to her, I have changed my mind and will look elsewhere. She came off as being annoyed by me asking questions. She didn’t even tell me to have a good day or anything at the end of the call.

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eric almond
1
eric almond

Do not attend this school. I had the worst experience with Mr. Simmons who was rude and unprofessional. I was approved for the Ga WIOA grant and released from an old worker’s compensation injury, but never used it because Mr. Simmons continued to give excuses after excuses as to why I couldn’t attend. I should have listened to experienced drivers, who warned me to stay away from this school. WIOA rep was even upset at Mr. Simmons actions. ?

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hayward garvin
5
hayward garvin

Good school, on week one they will teach you what you need to know to get your permit most the class failed the Practice exams but by the end of the week all 13 passed. Tip- dont sit in back of class hard to see screen. On week 2 you will be Practicing backing and pre trip they will walk you through the backing maneuvers its going to look difficult. some wont pick up on it right away but by the end of the week you will be good enough at most of them if not all to get your cdl. Best to study your pre trip at the school and when you get home for like 30 minutes on your car pretending its a truck. Tips- instructor mike is best at teaching you how to back if you having trouble with backing after like 3 days get with him. Tip- dont depend on the reference points they show you to much the trailer you will be testing on is slightly bigger then the ones on the yard. watch how the back trailer tires pivote when you turn while backing, you can see the angle that will get you in the box. On week 3 you will be driving on the road and practicing your in cab inspection Jonathan It's the automatic Instructor he will teach you above and beyond what you will need to know for when you take your driving test he make driving a truck simple and easy to understand to. Tip- dont get stressed out when driving, you make a mistake guess what thats the past and you learn from it. Tip- dont forget you will always make wide turns in a truck. Tip- 4 of you will be in the truck if your in the back make sure your watching who ever driving, see the mistakes they make and learn from them. At the end of each week you will take a test to move on to the next week. you get like 3 tries but if you dont get it those 3 tries the school will have you come back next week to give you extra training and by then you should be good. When you are finally about to take your dds test dont stress to much you get multiple times to take it i messed up on the backing portion of the test and came back 2 days later they gave me a different backing Maneuver and i passed and have my cdl now. Its a good school just go through the motion and everything will work out.

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Jerome Mitchell
4
Jerome Mitchell

This truck driving school and it's staff are the greatest. I would recommend this school to any and everyone who wants to get a CDL. I love the whole staff and you can't go wrong if you choose GDA ??. I were among the ONE AND DONE students. Shout out to Mike,Gee,"D", Chris and Bralon????? and all the students that were there with me.

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Draya D
1
Draya D

If I could give a zero I would . This school had me do 40 hours then told me because I have ONE ticket the WIOA dropped me . Fir those of you who don’t know what WIOA is .. it’s a government program that pays fir your CDL . Long story short , they didn’t like that I was telling people abt the WIOA and made up an excuse to TRY to stop me from getting my CDL . They don’t like the WIOA because they can’t add interest to the final balance . GO THROUGH THE WIOA IN YOUR COUNTY AND STOP PAYING OUT IF POCKET !!! By the way , I got my CDL & im working locally w/ a company . These people told me because of me having ONE ticket , I wouldn’t get hired anywhere hahaha . They just didn’t know who I am . I get what I want because I NEVER give up . Go to another school - this is a money grab .

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Markell Everett
1
Markell Everett

Worst experience ever! Mr. Arnold yelled and shout at me because I was trying to understand why I was denied from the school. He hung the phone up on me! I called back! Mr Arnold that’s in charge of the WIOA program was very Disappointing . Disrespectful. And very Rude. Very unprofessional. I would Not recommend him as a leader for the WIOA program! I was very disappointed. I didn’t receive the help that I needed from the him that I needed to attend Truck Driving School for the WIOA program. I would not recommend that school because of HIM!

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Shan Drew
5
Shan Drew

Got my cdl (A) license in three weeks and 1/2, no complaints,great school,great instructors. I highly recommend 1,000,000% 4 years later I had to come back and edit my post now Im driving with the best of the best ?? Thank U GDA!!!

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Emile Dominique
5
Emile Dominique

Hospitality: I was greeted and there was more than enough staff to assist me with the questions I had. Cleanliness: The exterior of the building was spotless outside and in. Floors were mopped, and swept clean. Service: The school staff is genuine and wants to see the students prosper. There are financing options, special discounts, and state aid programs to pay for the education in full.

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joe frankie
1
joe frankie

>>> HEED MY WARNING!!! <<< I applied to this school, paid deposit in advance. Later I decided to quit within the contract time frame. They were supposed to return my cash deposit with 45days of written cancellation. They only returned my deposit on the 63rd day. THEY DIDN'T WANT TO RETURN MY MONEY. Had long battles with them back and forth. HUGE HASSLE. Try Katlaw cdl school or some other place. Do not try GDA or you will regret it big time. THEY ONLY WANT YOUR MONEY AND THEY CHARGE OVER $4000.

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Alejandro Alavarado
5
Alejandro Alavarado

Hey this is Vega, please dont pay attention to the negative comments. This school is the best school to get you CDL license. I'm not a fast learner and catch on fast, but GDA made it happen for me I failed 2 times on my exam and I never gave up. You can do it to it's about how much you apply yourself and pay attention to the instructors. Shout to ms Kristen she's a sweetheart and Mr. Arnold and ms. Latoya for bringing me on. And Mr Mike and GEE. And mr. Kendrick..... So please go to this school. To get your CDL YOU WONT REGRET IT????

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Fannie Mukua
1
Fannie Mukua

I would NOT recommend this driving school. I dealt with LaToyia Roberts as an Admissions Rep. She was non responsive, inconsistent, and poor equipped in providing basic information. I’m glad they showed their true colors prior to spending out of pocket funding. This school is a money grab. They do not have students best interest and will mislead you at every step.

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Bryan Childers
5
Bryan Childers

I wanted to give Georgia Driving Academy an honest review and can't leave them with anything but 5 stars. The staff and instructors genuinely care about students and their ability to safely operate a tractor trailer truck. In the beginning, I had minor issues with admissions, but they quickly sorted it out and helped me get into class. They really could use newer equipment to help students have access to trucks for practicing maneuvers for their DDS test, but the instructors knowledge and abilities to recognize students short comings and correct them more than make up for the older equipment. If you're looking for a place to get your cdl, look no further. Jonathan, Mr. Gee, Donyel, Mike, Aernold, and Kristen have been most helpful through the process.

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Lynn
1
Lynn

DO NOT GO TO THIS SCHOOL!!!!! The staff does not know how to communicate with each other or their students. One person will tell you one thing and the other person will tell you something different. Oh and don't expect to get any money back. Did a drug test and DOT only for them to tell me I can't start after being told for a whole month that I will be starting. Ernold is the most unprofessional one there. He is disrespectful and doesn't know how to speak to people at all. He wants to hear himself and nobody else. Their trucks are trash inside. They will constantly keep pushing you back and never want to communicate with you on when they have a date. Kristie was ok with giving the information we needed but according to ernold she was giving us false information the whole time. This is not a good school at all and all they care about is money. The person that actually cares about the students and communicating is Mr. T.

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Deron Hannon
5
Deron Hannon

Very good school very good staff very good experience! I’m a recent grad at GDA and my experience was exactly how I expected it to be, fast paced and accurate. If you’re looking for a school that’s going to teach you the in’s and outs accurately and show you how to maneuver trucks, drive on the road, and learn the business all with in 3 weeks this is the place to go. Keep in mind that this is a school so yes you will have assignments, you will have tests that you have to pass, and yes you will have homework! I went in knowing zero about trucks I knew nothing about them or how to drive them but within 3 weeks I can now name every part on the truck, how to turn and maneuver, and even how to parallel park them. The instructors are super cool and knowledgeable and they’re out there working with you from sun up to sundown. I do want to give a shout out to one particular instructor by the name of Garrett! He helped me and my crew out so much in learning the techniques especially with the pre-trip… he allowed us to record him giving the pre-trip which helped us out with studying and this is a big part of the reason why I passed it as accurately and as fast as I did. All in all I’m happy to say that as soon as I graduated I landed a job within three days and I must tell you that it’s well worth it.

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Memory Martin
5
Memory Martin

My experience at GDA was one of the hardest yet most rewarding things that I’ve done in life. There were so many moments when I doubted myself and my ability to complete the training. I doubted whether I would be able to retain so much information coming at me at once but I did. The instructors knew exactly what I needed to know and do to be successful and they knew how to teach it so that I would retain it. They believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. They didn’t coddle me or hold my hand through it. They made me work for it. I appreciate the staff at GDA tremendously. It is with them that I was able to graduate successfully.

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Casey Lee Curry
5
Casey Lee Curry

I was able to get my CDL in the three week time frame. One and done! It's not easy but if you are serious about it you can get it done in the three weeks. Got to give a shout out to Garrett, Mike and Jewells on the yard. Mike taught me straight line backing in about four minutes. Garrett's pep talk kept me going. And Jewells calm and gracious teaching style was amazing... thanks so much. My road instructor Richard was very thorough and had me passing my in cab pre trip and air brakes the first time! For the classroom, Thanks Donyelle and Jonathan for the week of instruction on the DDS test for the permit. It's wise to get the permit before you start or just to see what's on the test even. You can take it four times with two days in between attempts. Christen at the front desk keeps everything running smoothly and seamlessly and made everything simple for me the entire way through. Overall I was happy I finally got my CDL license and choose GDA!

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Tondalayo Johnson
4
Tondalayo Johnson

Good Morning, my journey with GDA was very interesting. My instructor were phenomenal. I will give the names in order with the class: Johnathan the first week in class. He knows his stuff and will help you, just ask if you don’t understand. Week two G (Garrett) Pre-trip the bomb and passionate about his job..he will show you everything you need to know… I took my test yesterday and was given section D the whole truck…I wasn’t worried about that part because I knew the whole truck.. Thank you G you’re the best… Mr. Mike, the bomb too real cool…if you need help or having issues he will help you.. I didn’t work much with Tony but he was also willing to help me figure out what I was doing wrong, thank you…Third week I was terrified to drive on the road… Ms. Heard is truly PHENOMENAL. She is passionate about what she does. She made sure that we knew the in cab and how to handle the truck safely not to just pass the test. Thank you Ms. Heard for caring about us… When me messed up you let us know what was wrong and we didn’t do it again.. I appreciate everything….I appreciate each one of them for the encouragement even when I was unsure of myself… I’ve read some of the reviews and some people had bad experiences and that is unfortunate… But when you have something you are trying to accomplish you first must put your personal feelings out the way… You are coming to learn no one can teach you something if you know everything and you can’t receive what is being given.. You must follow instructions and not do what you want to do and act like the instructor did or said something wrong when they are giving instructions. Safety is important. Now driving those horrible trucks on the yard was very frustrating but they helped me to appreciate the trucks on the road. I want to thank each of you.. I appreciate you all..Some of you said it’s your job, it’s more than that to me.. You could have just given the minimum and said we gave you the information just study… None of you did that.. Each of you poured into us and this is a life changing experience… I am officially a TRUCK Driver Thank You All.. Thank you Mr. Ernold for the pep talks and encouraging words…. I also had the best classmate.. We helped each other… GET THAT MONEY YA’LL….Blessings Beyond Measures … I need to thank Kristen too.. Thank you for keeping my paperwork in order. Blessings

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