How To Pass your CDL Exam
You are here at truck driver training probably because you are needing some pointers on passing your CDL Drivers License Exam. Here in this post I will be teaching you how to pass you CDL exam and pointing out some of the things you need to pay particular attention to. In the first section I will be explaining the written exam. In the second section I will explain how to pass your CDL driving exam.
CDL Written Exam
Alot of people fail this exam because they don’t read the book thoroughly. When you read the book pay attention to the air brakes section. However, it very important to pay attention to numbers i.e distince from a fire hydrent you can park. All in all read the whole thing and become familiar with it.
When you take your written CDL Exam be sure to take all the endorsement tests. The reason for this is so you aren’t limiting your choices for employment in the future. In todays trucking market you need you Hazmat endorsement. It is hard enough to find a load as it is and not having your Hazmat limits you ability.
CDL Driving Exam
There are three main sections in the driving exam. The first section is the pretrip inspection. After that you will go to the obstacle course. Then finally the road test.
Pretrip Inspection
This section is particularly difficult because of the memorization required. You will walk around the truck and point out to the tester what you are looking for in every part of the truck and trailer. You must remember what each part is and what they do. If you study the pretrip inspection sections in the CDL Drivers Manual every day you should have no problems. Pay close attention to this because it may save your life some day. It is very important to have a safe vehicle to operate.
Obstacle Course
In the obstacle course you will be maneuvering your truck around a course usually laid out by cones . The objective of this part of the test is to see if you are familiar with maneuver the truck in various situations safely. Every state has different requirements for
this. I foresee in the future however, that there will be a uniform test through out industry. The common obsticles of this test include:
- Stop on a line. They will have a line on the pavement that you will have to stop on. The reason for this test is to see if you can judge the size of the truck correctly.
- 45 degree alley dock. This test you will have to pull up to a set of cones at a 45 degrees and back between the set of cones. This test can be particularly difficult but with practice it will be easy.
- Site side and blind side parallel park. In this you will pull up along beside a set of cones and be expected to parallel park the truck in them. Also can be difficult but again with practice piece of cake.
- Straight Line backing. Very easy you just have to back up in a straight line.
With practice you can complete any and all these challenges with no problem.
In this part of the test you will be driving your truck down the road with the tester sitting next to you. One thing you should make sure and do is watch your mirrors. The tester is making sure you are paying attention to everything going on around you all the time. Also, you should be paying attention to your speed. Do not drive above the speed limit. You will also get points deducted for going more then 5 mph below the speed limit. The reason behind this test is to see if you are comfortable driving your truck safely. If you are driving too slow you are not comfortable. Look both ways crossing Rail Roads and through intersections. Show that you are alert at all times. Don’t let the tester intimidate you. Remember you are in control of the truck not the truck is in control of you.
In future posts I will get more in debth with some of this. If I have time and resources I may even release a how to video or two. Thanks for taking the time to read this and i hope it helps.
Paul Eigenheer (Truckin Paul)
Dean
May 8th, 2010 at 6:34 am #
I was wonderind if you guys have any video that may help with any of the basic skills test .thank you very much
TruckinPaul
May 14th, 2010 at 3:54 pm #
I do plan on making and posting some videos in the near future. Please keep checking back.
Curt
November 23rd, 2010 at 9:37 pm #
Do you have a birds eye veiw and measurements for the obstacle course so we can practice on the farm?
Jerry Dinning
January 5th, 2012 at 12:18 am #
I am 66 years old and been retired for 24 years. I have about 20 years of over the road driving. When Ky change the CDL law i was tired so i retired. I would like to go back and drive until they tell me i have to quite.I drove for a company in Kankakee,Ill. and for a company called Celeberity freight out of Paducah Ky. when i quite.I also have about 5 years of dispatching and driver training under my belt.I help run a turminal out of McBee South Carolina.I have pulled flat beds Refers, stritch flat bed up to 60 ft.drop decks furniture vans hulled rebar hot Water heaters for AO Smith They moved to Mexico. Weber trucker opened a terminal up in El Paso Tx. Oh by the way Weber trucking was dwho i drove for in Kankakee,Ill and McBee South Carolina. I;m tired of setting at home and would like to get my CDL’s back. They change the test since i took it so i need some help to get back into the bussiness. If you can help would appricate it. I know lt will cost me that i don”t mind ,I should never let them have them back.I can drive anything you put me in. I drove this Dimond back with a 318 d with a 13 speed road ranger. you had to get a warent to find the gears.If you want to know more give me call. You know that song Elveis song this time you give me a mountian i may never climb.Never found that mountian
Jerry Dinning
January 5th, 2012 at 12:21 am #
I know i went overboard with my story but it is true.contect me if you can help
Jerry Dinning
January 5th, 2012 at 12:23 am #
I have been out of the trade for awhile
TruckinPaul
January 5th, 2012 at 8:39 am #
Jerry what do you need help with. The main thing you need is to get your cdl back. Also, you will need to find a trucking company that will take a driver who has been out of it so long. My recommendation is to take a refresher course at a reputable school for truck driving. My wife took the course that lasted 2 weeks at “Diesel Truck Driver Training School” in Sun Prairie, WI. The course was a refresher course and insured she had the skills she needed to pass the CDL driving exam. The school also had representative from trucking companies come in and offer jobs to the students. Also you may want to do some more research on truck driving. This is a huge decision and it may be to stressful with all the damn politics involved. Another option is to find a ma and pop company to help you regain your CDL. The industry is in need of great drivers however there are of new laws since you were driving. Study the CDL handbook for you state and get your learners permit and remember its not just a job its a lifestyle.
Good Luck and If you need more Info Just ask