Illinois -- is it possible to pass a CDL skills test without going to a school

I need to get a CDL because I have a small business with class A trucks (and a driver working for me part time) and I occasionally need to drive a straight truck with a tagalong trailer. Because I own a business, which is time consuming, it is difficult for me to go to a full time CDL school. I have no plans to drive trucks full time for a living.

I have studied for CDL, and have passed the knowledge tests, and the pre-trip test.

As you know, the knowledge tests are computer driven. I had no problems taking those.

When I was taking pre-trip, I felt that the examiner was outright hostile and tried to fail me on purpose. I failed the first time. The last time I took it, I studied the book and memorized every paragraph on pre-trip completely. As a result, I passed, however I felt that the examiner was trying very hard to make me fail, by interrupting me all the time, saying "do not say this, skip that" etc and giving wrong instructions. For example, she said that to get pressure to the governor cut-off pressure I needed just to step on the accelerator pedal. Whereas it would do nothing, as the pressure needs to first drop for the compressor to start pumping. But, since I memorized the whole section, she passed me, seemingly with great reluctance. That left me with a feeling that they did not want me to get a CDL.

Now on to skills test. I am not trying to pretend to be a great driver. But she failed me right away for allegedly "looking to the side" when doing the pull-up test. At most, I barely moved my head. It felt unfair. I do not really understand what exactly they want on the skills test. Would they fail me for taking a hand off from the steering wheel for a second? What is going on?

I am not trying to whine or complain, I just want to understand. Do they purposely fail people who do not go to a school?

If they are tough but fair, I understand and I can practice driving extra hard. But, perhaps, they just look for every excuse to fail me due to not coming from a "friendly" CDL school?

I want to ask you, if you are not familiar with CDL testing in Illinois, to refrain from just saying how corrupt Illinois is or how bad it is politically. I do not this discussion to become political, I just want to understand what I am dealing with.

Thanks

 

Thanks.

So, if I read you right, you also think that they are extra-hostile to those who did not study in an Illinois cdl school?

What I want to know is, am I trying to do the impossible (pass without going through an official school) or I just need to work harder?

 

Thanks. I would like to hire someone who teaches Illinois CDL skills testing, so that they would explain to me what it is that they want (specifically). I do not even want driving instruction, just an explanation on what to prepare for.

I can pay cash money and a good amount per hour, for this consultation.

 

Illinois does not allow this. In fact, they are quite strict in requiring that any instruction be at least 160 hours, etc.