Help with skills test for Illinois CDL

Discussion in 'Trucking Schools and CDL Training Forum' started by Buckeye91, Apr 12, 2014.

  1. Buckeye91

    Buckeye91 Road Train Member

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    thanks. Gave them a call. They'll help me out. But at 65 an hour!! So I'm going to practice some more before I fork out more money.
     
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  3. TruckDuo

    TruckDuo Road Train Member

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    Lol yeah. Nothing is free in life. But like I said they do the testing at their yard, which is easier than the dmv location
     
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  4. Powder Joints

    Powder Joints Subjective Prognosticator

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    GOAL. You need to stop and get out anytime you do not know where your equipment is in relation to this around you. This is important. It will keep you from backing into my hood, or taking off my mirrors.
     
  5. Buckeye91

    Buckeye91 Road Train Member

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    Well yeah. I do that. But the state of illinois thinks I only need one GOAL though.
     
  6. O.Henry

    O.Henry Road Train Member

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    I got my CDL in Texas.A trip around the hood to see if we had control of the vehicle,with a couple tricky turns.The only backing I did was a sad attempt at a parallel park.
     
  7. xai

    xai Bobtail Member

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    Look on the ground for a marker. I'm currently in a school transferring my licenses to Illinois. I've been able to get zero points on the 45 degree by lining the drive axle up to a crack in the pavement.
    The Illinois skills test is all about remembering markers in the parking lot
     
    Last edited: Apr 17, 2014
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  8. Winbot

    Winbot Light Load Member

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    Im not sure how your test yard looks but I came up with a system for mine that put me straight into the slot every time. Two things, be methodical and find visual cue's outside of the truck. If you can practice until you've got it perfect look around at what you can see from the drivers seat, does anything line up with any thing else? Signs, a part of a building etc? Find something that will tell you when you're on that 0-4. Be methodical with your backing come up with steps to making the turn and always start from the same position if you can (having a repeatable approach path to the spot you will be backing from helps a lot). Then just figure out when you need to turn that wheel, I know a lot of people seem to think that in IL you'll be dq'd for hanging your head out the window but they'll only do that if you could be using your mirrors instead so when you cant see the rear end of your trailer go ahead and take a look out the window if you have to. I'm sure you know the next bit but once that trailer is straight with the spot all you need to do is straighten out the tractor and you're in good shape. You don't even need to be absolutely straight to pass the test as long as you're in the spot and not on the lines. Don't feel bad man out of the 9 guys I tested with at my school I was the only one who was able to pass skills on the first try the rest of the guys all failed the 45 and, i'm sure its because I got to practice on the yard so much before hand. Oh one more thing that might help is timing the turn, you should be idling into it so you're speed should be fairly consistent. Knowing that you can count to denote distance like 10 seconds in turn right 4 seconds after turn left etc. Of course all this is assuming you're practicing on your test yard..

    Further edit. Duh! I'm kicking my self for forgetting this part. If you know you're not going to make the turn you can take points on it so if you have 0 on the other skills you can pull up straight and then back in but you will need to hit that 0 line. Sadly even doing this many of the guys at my school still didn't pass... You may need to notify your tester that your going to do this before hand.
     
    Last edited: Apr 18, 2014
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  9. Turbodave

    Turbodave Bobtail Member

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    I'm starting school at advantage-driver training next week in shorewood, IL has anyone heard of this school?? Any good? Comments? Advice? I currently hold a class B, with air brakes. I just passed my cdl A permit test, been driving 10 plus years. Is the Illinois test hard or not that bad?? Anyone with info, thank you!
     
  10. Winbot

    Winbot Light Load Member

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    the 45 degree backing mentioned in this thread is what gives people the most trouble. The rest of the skills test is sort of easy once you get the hang of things. Pretrip is a lot of memorization and they will ask you to list your steering/suspension/break components in working order, they will ask you to either perform or walk through the steps of doing the brake checks, the tires, the lights all that jazz so do not skip out on studying. The road test sort of depends on your route but the two biggest things they're looking for are whether or not you are using your mirrors and whether or not you are down shifting correctly. It wasn't that hard in my opinion, probably the worst part about the test is being nervous as hell at the helm of a giant hunk of steel capable of mowing down pedestrians and motorists with relative ease.
     
  11. armyguy11a

    armyguy11a Bobtail Member

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    Apr 29, 2014
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    This was key for me! Just got my CDL last week and wanted to share some tips that helped for me. My only experience prior to 3 hours practice was driving F450's snowplowing. I now have an unrestricted class A.

    -A coworker of mine knows a CDL examiner....West Chicago is easier than Elk Grove.
    -Use every landmark in the lot that you can. There are perfect landmarks in West Chicago for the Stop at Line and for the 45 degree backup.
    -Practice on the course you will use with the truck configured the same way.

    Luckily I had a friend who helped me practice and let me use a single rear axle day cab with a 48' trailer. But if I can do it, anyone can. I was pretty nervous about the test prior to practicing, but don't over think it. Hoppefully this post will help some other noobs like me.

    Have a great day, stay safe!
     
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