How nervous were you your first time?

Wasn't nervous driving but as soon as I got to the shipper I got nervous when it was time to back into the dock

 

Oh yea backing to a dock in a box trailer was a difficult one after never having to back in a flatbed. Fortunately for tanker there won't be any docking for us.

 

I'm down in Lowelly Crane.

 

Have you got to drive any of the trucks around the yard? Do they have automatics? How has your experience been working in the yard? Sounds like you found a decent company willing to invest in training you.

 

I didn't know how to drive a standard before I drove truck. I find driving a manual in a truck about 10 times easier in a truck than a car. It's way more forgiving. You will puck it up within a week or two. If you don't, 90 days probably won't help. But if you were able to pass the CDL test after doing the 4am thing, you will catch on. You have the right attitude and the.right amount of nervousness/fear to help you succeed.

As.someone who went to cdl school and also got my cdl from Billy, all I can day is, don't rush yourself, you will naturally want to be out on your own asap but take the time with the trainer until you are more than comfortable. Even though you may be competent enough to drive on your own, in the long run you will be a better driver if you stick with your trainer longer than you "need" to so you can learn the tricks that separate a steering wheel holder from a good driver.

Take as much as you can from the trainer and if you aren't learning anymore, ask to have another trainer because a different perspective will teach you new thongs that the last trainer overlooked.

 

usually if your green new driver, confidence of driving hours of 17 to 22 hours of road time should be enough and ready for a class 1 driver road test. I took a driving school course in which the company I worked for paid for it in full. Best advice I can give you some positive advice a new class 1 driver don't be afraid to ask questions. Just take your time backing up & driving on the road ways. Should be good to go.

Good Luck.

 

"You have the right attitude and the.right amount of nervousness/fear to help you succeed."

I'm glad nervousness and fear are expected. I am confident in my ability to learn, but also feel both of those things every time I'm guiding the beast.