SKILLS TEST RIPOFF

Good note to remind others to maintain their CDL as to not have to go through that kind of stuff. Agreed that it's rather silly for an experienced driver to do that but unfortunately it's not just experienced drivers doing it... One Size Fits All doesn't always fit...

Sorry for your hassles sir.

 

First, this is copied right from the Indiana State CDL manual.

Check Air Compressor Governor Cut-in and Cut-out Pressures. Pumping by the air compressor should start at about 100 psi and stop at about 125 psi. (Check manufacturer's specifications.) Run the engine at a fast idle. The air governor should cut-out the air compressor at about the manufacturer's specified pressure. The air pressure shown by your gauge(s) will stop rising. With the engine idling, step on and off the brake to reduce the air tank pressure. The compressor should cut-in at about the manufacturer's specified cut-in pressure. The pressure should begin to rise. If the air governor does not work as described above, it may need to be fixed. A governor that does not work properly may not keep enough air pressure for safe driving.

Secondly, I currently own 8 trucks and have owned and driven countless others, I was also a licensed CDL examiner in Tennessee and have instructed more students than I can remember. Governor cut out is at 125 PSI, no truck I have ever owned or driven has its governor set to cut out at 140 PSI.

Here is a video to educate you.

https://youtu.be/9Vb32PL1PVU?t=1m23s

Secondly, the state exam for the CDL learners permit in Indiana asks governor cut out PSI and the answer is 125. So your examiner is very poorly trained if they are testing in direct conflict with their own state exam.

I know it seems petty, but if you stated you will build pressure to a max of 140 PSI, that doesnt explain what you felt is the minimum. In all honesty, understanding what is the minimum safe pressure to start your test with is more important than knowing the maximum.

The Indiana State manual also says;
Failure to perform all three components of the air brake check correctly will result in an automatic failure of the vehicle inspection test.

Here is the reality, most examiners are idiots. Thats just the way it is and it always has been. Many states employ examiners that do not even have a CDL, they are clueless and don't have an idea about what they are doing.

But they are the gate keepers, if you want your CDL back it is a hoop you must jump through.

Lastly, I dont understand what is so hard to understand about profit margins. Businesses do not operate for free. Making millions imply's someone is putting all that money in their pocket. Like they dont have to pay rent on the property, payroll for examiners, insurance, licensing costs and everything else it takes to run that business.

 

Something about your post made me laugh...
Not sure what it was... But thanks!!!

 

You will have more great memories... Keep studying to get passed that silly test and poof... Back in the saddle again!!!

 

Maybe you should have paid attention the first time you got your license? These are not rips offs.. this is simply insuring that the applicant has some idea of what the easily obtainable and standard information is for operators of commercial vehicles. Its NOT their fault that they held you to a standard. RE-LEARN the standards or keep pouring money down a rathole and blaming others for your failure.

 

Bit harsh... In my opinion.

I can see it as very frustrating as he has been driving, assumed safely, for YEARS... And now all of a sudden, he's not "qualified" to drive, yet, because of wording or other simple issues.

All that test verifies is that you can memorize the answers that they want to hear...

Like the school I attended...

They didn't teach you to back... They taught you how to do THAT maneuver on THAT course... I highly doubt there will ever be a stop sign in just the right place ever again to "line up my trailer with" to bump a dock... LOL

And pretrip... Just say the right words and point in the right direction... Boom... Now you are qualified to hold a CDL... lol

$0.02

 

And he can't even do that.

How could he be expected to actually know the material....which is much much harder than just reciting some words.

 

I said "say the right words" AND point...

 

Now now behave. This man has been dealing with trucks longer than some of us been on the earth in this life.

I understand both sides. Testers failing people because they do not parrot chapter and verse down to the exact words in the manual. Whatever it may be.

Ergo, we need to become Parrots. Carry on.