Failed 3 different rd tests hitting curb each time, should I quit

Are you hitting curbs with your trailer or tractor? If with the trailer, you need more training learning how to recognize just how wide a turn needs to be.

Don't give up now. This is the final hurdle.
Take your time and consider where you are and where you need to be to clear a curb.
Also, it should be noted that roads were built for cars, and not trucks. So, that's fun.

 

I faced a similar challenge.

Not with getting a CDL -- but later, with getting my first CDL job.

My driving record was clean (& ditto for criminal history) -- but at that point, I had a pretty sketchy job history.

Thus....going in, I knew I was in for a tough hunt.

But -- I persisted.

After several rejections from different "starter" fleets -- one of the mega-carriers took me on.

Your takeaway here?

Stick with it...especially when things appear bleak.

If you want it badly enough -- you'll make it.

-- L

 

Curbing a trailer tire...
In my road test with Swift back in 2010 I had a situation.
Everything went well until the the turn to the road going back to the terminal.
It was during rush hour traffic, and I was turning right onto a 2 lane road so I would need all that space to make the turn.

I stopped and held back traffic behind me until both lanes were clear. I sat for at least 10 minutes until that happened.
The tester never said a word that whole time, he just sat there.

But after it was finished he told me that many drivers get rejected because they were too impatient to wait until it was clear and safe to make that turn.
No actual curb there, it was just dirt. But if your tire got off the pavement and into the dirt you failed.

"Same problem every time, car was waiting on the side I was turning into > I was scared to hit the car > clipped the curb."

So... what did you do wrong -- every time?

 

You certainly need more training. The turn is about the setup, If you dont have the room, its probably your setup.

 

Wait until you get a clear stretch. If there’s a car in the way you don’t go.

 

Before you “give up”, do you mind pulling up a satellite photo of the turn you’re having troubles with? Perhaps we can help.

@gentleroger , can you give a new hand some instructions?

 

1st, welcome aboard, you came to the right place. 2nd, when I had my union job, clipping a curb was considered a "chargeable" accident, and they whapped your pp for it. Sounds like you are at a crossroads, and your indecisiveness is the kiss of death for an initiative like this. You have to give it your all, and even thinking of giving up sounds to me, like you should. There's no shame in trying and not succeeding, as long as you didn't kill anyone in the process. Years ago, we "learned" on the job, and don't kid yourself, we've all run over PLENTY of curbs, and have millions of miles under our belts. Not so today, ANY mistake is a crime that goes to the Pentagon, mistakes are costly, and cameras record your every move. We all "got away" with some doozies, if there were cameras we'd all be in trouble. I rarely say this, but perhaps it's best to move on to something else before you sink anymore time/cash into this. Plenty of work out there.

 

The driving school I went to had day cabs and 48 foot trailers. The pre-employment driving test at Swift was the first time I had driven a 6x4 and the first time I had pulled a 53 footer. I hit a curb with the trailer and completely botched the alley dock. They guy passed me anyway. There were two other people testing at the same time, a guy and his wife. The guy botched his test as well, but his wife nailed hers. I was more embarrassed for him than I was for me. We were all destined for six weeks with a sub one year "trainer".

 

@notgood --

The following CDL training video greatly helped me pass with my initial driving test, to acquire my CDL; watch it a few times...& process that info:



-- L