Orientation Road Tests ( hitting curb )

Curious.. why didn't you get on with a company right out of school?
In this industry, and having 0 experience.. 3 months out of school is tough.. it actually takes longer than the littl time we spend in school to actually learn to drive.. so as time passes and you are not in a seat learning things become rusty and think about it.. yes, you only grinded a few gears and hit a curb.. but if that was your truck it would be a bigger deal....

No body owes you the opportunity to learn to drive..

What. School did you go through.. will they let you go get in the truck and sharper your skills to be able to pass a raid test..

 

The key is to hire on with a starter company directly after finishing school, like literally a week or two after. Waiting months and then jumping in to it puts you at a disadvantage because you don't really get much time to practice in the schools and 90percent of learning to drive a truck is practice.

You sound like a typical new driver. Grinding gears, hoping up on curbs, taking a minute or three to back in...we've all been there. Plenty of other trucking companies will work with you just as you are. Hell, I've seen some of them take much, much worse...

 

Instead of looking to avoid companies that have the no curb policy, how about concentrating on fixing what you did wrong?

Do you know what you did wrong? Yes, I know that you weren't 10 feet up on the sidewalk and caused lots of damage and stuff...but in your setup, before you started your turn, what could you have done differently? See, there are some towns and cities that have signs and light poles right at the corner....EVERY corner. The goal isn't to pass a driving test, the goal is to show them that you can be a good productive driver if they hire you.

So, bet on USX having the same policy. Bet on all companies having that policy. And when you take their road test, fix your setup before you turn.

 

I thought hitting a curb in a normal cdl test was always an automatic failure. They are just using the same standard that was used when you tested to get your CDL.

 

That's what I was getting ready to say. It sounds like Bowman is simple erring on the side of what the DOT requires in a driving test.
I do think since you are a student, they should have given you a break on that, but it's their choice.
You shouldn't let it bother you too much, just do better with the next road test, and give yourself enough room.
By the way, if my memory serves me correctly, I never had a road test before the hiring process was complete. In fact, I don't think you can legally get behind the wheel of the truck, even for a road test until you have the drug screening and DOT physical. I may be wrong with this, but I don't think so.

 

Yeah, driving tests and running over curbs usually don't mix well.

OP, if they're handing you the keys after you pass the test, hitting curbs will probably get you failed. If you're being trained as a new driver (going out with a trainer first) fresh out of CDL school, they'll probably tolerate it a few times.

 

As long as you know what you did wrong, you should not repeat the mistake, right?