6th times the charm?

the only thing schools teach you is how to pass the test
but they do that well

 

Lots an old dog forgets and/or was never part of their testing.

You've included #5 after $500, punishment served... I'd feel bad ripping on you now.

Good Luck!

 

Good luck Friday.How many more times can you take the test or is there no limit?

 

THeGAME, that's an excellent post. I too regained my CDL without the benefit of going to a "CDL Mill". Failed three times trying to do the DMV test: once for bone heading the brake test, once for failing to say "inflation" instead of "air pressure" during the pre-trip, and once for being unable to see the cones during the skills test during a howling dust storm. I ended up taking my written test again to get another "3 strikes" on the DMV test and passed on the next try.

Good to hear that someone else is going the "non-school" method of getting their CDL. As a TRAINER for a mega carrier I'd have to say I'm not impressed with how schools prepare students for the real world. It IS all about passing the test. They expect the REAL training to start after getting hired.

Strange world indeed.

 

Well you shouldn't have failed for saying 20 to 40 is where the spring brakes come on because that is correct. Around 40 in the summer and 20 in the cold -- notice the use of the word, around? 45 would be correct as well, since the baseline numbers are 20-40 with a degree of difference based on the vehicle of 10% or more. For them to fail you on this is ridiculous!

I'm one of the old farts you're talking about, and when I got my license, we didn't have to do anything but check for air leaks and tires and then drive the truck! We backed into a dock, parallel parked, did a reverse serpentine and drove around town under all conditions. Drivers are not mechanics, and this is why we have gauges and idiot lights! Although you will learn a lot over the years.

I was an instructor for a few years back in the 90s and that included being a state certified CDL tester. In the state training class here in LA, they will tell you that the person taking the test doesn't need to know all the *names* of the items they are inspecting, as long as they can point to it or touch it and say what they are inspecting for. For example, saying, "Checking this round thing here to make sure there are no air leaks, nothing is loose, missing or damaged, and it is secured to the vehicle and when I pull on this metal piece, this rod doesn't move more than an inch" (pointing at the different parts) would be a pass for the inspection of the brake chamber, slack adjuster and push rod on the tractor. You can confirm this with the tester *before* the test begins by confirming with them that you do not need to know the names; some states might be different.

IMPORTANT! You NEVER do a PTI with the KEY in the ignition! Pre-PTI is as follows:
1) On a flat surface, chock the rear outer tire (front and back) of your drives (Most schools or rentals have double chocks on chains in the tool box).
2) REMOVE the key from the ignition and put it in your pocket.
3) RELEASE the brakes.
Even if your state doesn't require it, you never scoot under or between the wheels of a vehicle with the key in the ignition!

There are a couple of tricks that going to a school might teach you to pass the PTI on the road test -- Acronyms and phrases!
ABCD, wires, hoses, tires: Start with the word NO Abrasions, Bumps, Cuts or Dry rot.
ABC BATTERIES: No visable Acid, Bulges or Corrosion -- Followed by, ABCD for the wiring.
The entire phrase: Nothing loose, broken or damaged and the item is properly mounted, and all mounting hardware is present and secured.
Signs of looseness: Nothing is loose, broken or damaged, nothing leaking, no rust trails or metal shavings and no shiny threads.
(You can use signs of looseness on just about anything -- water pump, shocks, wheel fasteners, air hoses, brake chambers, etc.)

These couple of things WILL get you through the pre-trip!

But I have to say, in all my time as a CDL examiner, most did not fail the pre-trip; it was usually the Air Brakes section. Sure, everyone knows how to do a tug test and 5-mph test, but what most people fail on are the following two items:
1) Forgetting to push the buttons in and release both brakes during the leak down.
2) Forgetting to turn the key on during the fan down.
Almost ALL of the seasoned drivers looking to recertify would fail one of these two, and after a while, I would give my, "Professional advice" speech at the time of the application and payment, advising seasoned drivers of the two reasons they might fail. This was both legal and ethical, as long as I did it before we got to the truck and started the test. Schools and testers love earning this extra money, and most of the people getting recertified aren't in the position to fork over $300 two or three times!

So learn your acronyms and phrases to pass the PTI portion and remember the two reasons people fail on the air brakes and you'll be good to go!

 

Air pressure and inflation is the same thing on a tire, the examiner was wrong. I had a similar story from someone I tested. He failed because he didn't tell the examiner that the tires on the duals were not touching at the bottom, or a possible fire hazard from the rubbing while driving. So I asked him, did he state that he checked the proper tire inflation of 100 lbs with a pressure gage? He said yes. And then I asked if he stated the rims were properly butted? Again, yes, so in this case, it would be an physical impossibility for duals budded properly with 3" of space between the rims to rub. I gave him the address and number for the CDL manager at the state and told him specific words to put it a complaint in writing. He came by and thanked me a month later when he got his $200 refund from the examiner that made the mistake.

Exams are only given in fair weather conditions. The fact that there was a dust storm while you were testing, the examiner should have stopped the test, and rescheduled you for free, just like if it starts to rain.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who get certified as testers and then get a Hitler complex! "Do it my way, or not at all!" I looked at it differently -- these were my compadres... brothers on the road, and when you spend enough time on the road, you'll know what I mean. We're supposed to help each other, not look for reasons to make people fail! Even though I couldn't offer advise during the tests, I was able to walk away! So when someone hit on all the points under the hood of the tractor on the driver's side, I would walk away to the passenger side. When they finished there (whether they knew it or not) I would walk to the rear of the tractor, and so on. It's really too bad that so many out there want to see you fail!

 

You failed your CDL test??? What the????? C'mon man really??? I never failed.... Except that one time and scraped by the second time..... Lol. You'll get it done. You're showing some determination right there. I wish you luck. Here's to you passing with flying colors!

 

Have you priced insurance for the truck you're buying from the retiring driver?
Your insurance will probably be much higher than his since he's had a CDL for decades and you don't have one yet. Better make some phone calls and check the OOIDA website.