Posted: 3/25/2010 9:27:44 PM EDT
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Taking my class A CDL test at DOL next week. Pre-trip and controls test. Anyone taken the test lately and have advice on what to expect? Vehicle I am testing in is a 5 yard dump truck with 20 ft flatbed trailer.
I am most concerned about pre-trip inspection and how much they are actually going to cover and how they go though the process. Thanks Guys |
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Know your pretrip really well.
The driving part, which shouldn't be any more difficult than what you've been practicing so far, will be easy enough. It will be better if you remember to check your mirrors often. Has it been more than three or four seconds since you've checked your mirrors? Then it's time to check them again. |
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Pretrip insp is big. We had a sheet we had to memorize, start at the drivers front, and go around the rig. Touch, say what you are looking at, and what you are looking for.
Make sure your vehicle will pass the pretrip. If not, test over. My test was a Pete tow truck with a transit bus as the trailer. A 5 yd with 20ft trailer sounds easy. |
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Sweet baby Jeezus!!!!! 4, count 'em... four GOBC SLACKERS! OK new guy....Hi. Go get beer, bring it back. Post an intro thread. We like to share info, but we like to know a little something about you. As far as the Exam, you're being tested on how the STATE wants you to drive, not how you think you should drive. Double Clutching, all...112? 120? precise-point pre-trip items..Taking off in 2nd gear at a min, not 3rd. Don't skirt the fog lines, and remember your distances. Make sure the tester buckles up. Now FO! |
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Glad that I was grandfathered-in, when the Combination License I had since 16, became the CDL! TW +106 Never letting mine go........... Exactly! Some retard buddy of my Dad's gave his up, because he didn't like paying 'all that money' every time he renewed the license.... 
As I recall, at the time of the CDL-migration, the DOL charged you a $10 test fee. Therefore, I studied-up and got ALL the endorsements for $10 
TW |
| The pre trip is huge to make sure you know inside and out. Also if you can, make sure to know how the trailer acts when you back it in straight and at an angle. Every trailer axle is different in terms of alignment and they all act different when you back them, straight or angled. The points you are dinged for having to pull back up and retry will kill that portion of the test faster than anything if you don't get some practice in. Also make sure wherever you are testing to make sure you know where your damn rail road tracks in the area are. Or at least make sure you look for them. The class I took, that was what killed more tests for guys was being at a stop light and sitting on the tracks. |
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+1 on pre-trip....practice, practice, practice. (I always understood that PT's started "as you approach the vehicle....check for sagging of suspension, fluid leaks, and damage." I could be wrong, since I haven't done a CDL test in some years)
When you drive, take note of clearance heights (bridge xx' xx"––after you pass, tester will may ask, "how high was the bottom of that bridge?"....correct answer is NOT "enough to let me pass..."   ) and note speed limits, for the same reason.
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any recommendations on how to get a CDL? Every test I take shows strong for truck driver but just never been in a job that would put me in a position to get a license. I personally went through Check Ride in Woodinville. I went in January a few years back and due to the snow the class ended up taking longer than it was supposed to, so we got more practice for the same price. Alot looks like it's changed on their property in the years since so I can't say if I still recommend that as a way to go. But they do have inhouse financing if you need it. |
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any recommendations on how to get a CDL? Every test I take shows strong for truck driver but just never been in a job that would put me in a position to get a license. I took a course "sponsored" by Swift Trucking, in Lewiston ID. There are other companies that train, and most will hire you right out of the gate. England is one (they do refers, iirc...noisy when you're trying to sleep, but you get used to it) Sorry I can't remember the others, rum is fucking with my brain right now.... |
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Quoted: any recommendations on how to get a CDL? Every test I take shows strong for truck driver but just never been in a job that would put me in a position to get a license. Go to DOL.Take about $65 worth of tests. Get air brakes, tanks, maybe doubles, skip the shit-yer-britches-jump-outa-the-f'ing-cab-we're-all-gonna-die endorsement. DO take hazmat. You'll need it for 90% of the jobs offered. Bad part is, ya need a background check that takes forever and if local, a TWIC card. Basically the same thing, but, hey, ya get to pay again. Get the DOL CDL guide book. Study it for a week or so, then attack the tests. Don't expect to get all the shit together quickly. Take a road test with one of the many private testers in the phone book. I know, I know..."what's a phone book?" |
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Quoted: Quoted: any recommendations on how to get a CDL? Every test I take shows strong for truck driver but just never been in a job that would put me in a position to get a license. Go to DOL.Take about $65 worth of tests. Get air brakes, tanks, maybe doubles, skip the shit-yer-britches-jump-outa-the-f'ing-cab-we're-all-gonna-die endorsement. DO take hazmat. You'll need it for 90% of the jobs offered. Bad part is, ya need a background check that takes forever and if local, a TWIC card. Basically the same thing, but, hey, ya get to pay again. Get the DOL CDL guide book. Study it for a week or so, then attack the tests. Don't expect to get all the shit together quickly. Take a road test with one of the many private testers in the phone book. I know, I know..."what's a phone book?" I would add to take passenger endorsement. Its an easy snag-I hope I never have to put up with human cargo. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
any recommendations on how to get a CDL? Every test I take shows strong for truck driver but just never been in a job that would put me in a position to get a license. Go to DOL.Take about $65 worth of tests. Get air brakes, tanks, maybe doubles, skip the shit-yer-britches-jump-outa-the-f'ing-cab-we're-all-gonna-die endorsement. DO take hazmat. You'll need it for 90% of the jobs offered. Bad part is, ya need a background check that takes forever and if local, a TWIC card. Basically the same thing, but, hey, ya get to pay again. Get the DOL CDL guide book. Study it for a week or so, then attack the tests. Don't expect to get all the shit together quickly. Take a road test with one of the many private testers in the phone book. I know, I know..."what's a phone book?" Which endorsement is THAT, your Bobbityness?
TW |
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Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: any recommendations on how to get a CDL? Every test I take shows strong for truck driver but just never been in a job that would put me in a position to get a license. Go to DOL.Take about $65 worth of tests. Get air brakes, tanks, maybe doubles, skip the shit-yer-britches-jump-outa-the-f'ing-cab-we're-all-gonna-die endorsement. DO take hazmat. You'll need it for 90% of the jobs offered. Bad part is, ya need a background check that takes forever and if local, a TWIC card. Basically the same thing, but, hey, ya get to pay again. Get the DOL CDL guide book. Study it for a week or so, then attack the tests. Don't expect to get all the shit together quickly. Take a road test with one of the many private testers in the phone book. I know, I know..."what's a phone book?" Which endorsement is THAT, your Bobbityness? TW It'll cost ya the three drink minimum to find out. Being a sage is hard..... |