I was just approved and invited for orientation at US Xpress at their Shippensburg PA terminated next monday. I'm excited to finally start my driving career. I was given the option of going on a dedicated account for Dollar General out of Brunswick MD, I think it was Brunswick, or some name similar, or go NE Regional. I chose the dedicated account as I heard they're good money and also somewhat physically demanding. I'm a young guy, 21 years old, 185 pounds and in average shape so I should be fine and I don't mind the idea of unloading, breaks up the monotonous driving. However the only part of orientation I'm a little concerned about is the road test. I graduated trucking school back in June, but I soon got a good job ( non-driving ) after I graduated so I never took a driving job. Which means I haven't driven a truck since mid June of 2013. I know I'm going to be rusty in the shifting dept but I'm confident I'll be fine, I still remember all the basics I learned in school. I was just wondering what does the road test at Shippensburg consist of? Do they make you do a pre-trip or do any backing if you're a student driver?
Orientation 5/19, Road test question
Discussion in 'US Xpress' started by ASevenfold, May 13, 2014.
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You do your pretrip as the road tester and you approach the truck. First time you drive a strange truck you are going to do a pretrip anyways per the regulations. A road test is no different, so demonstrate you know what you are doing.
I doubt he'll do an obstacle course. Usually when you hire on they just take you out for 5-10 miles. It might be a dedicated company road tester or someone in the office might tell a driver to check you out.
Somethings to be careful of, don't curb your tires. They don't like you going too wide but it's better than curbing which will probably fail you.
Pay close attention to the signs, especially over passes and bridges. They like to be sneaky too. They'll wait until you pass it and then ask you what the height was. So be alert.
Other than that drive normal, don't break any laws and you shouldn't have a problem. He won't demerit you on shifting unless you are totally lost. A few grinds is expected out of a newby.
Good luck!ASevenfold and gpsman Thank this. -
Yeah, almost everyone passes that road test, shifting is not an issue. Just stay on the road without hitting anything.
ASevenfold Thanks this. -
Yeah...as long as you don't kill anyone or wreck the truck you are fine. Even hitting a curb isn't an automatic fail.
ASevenfold Thanks this. -
Been to orientations at three different companies and all them have made me do a 45 degree alley dock, so keep that in mind too. Also, goal.
ASevenfold Thanks this. -
I might be right behind you at shippinsberg Pa in a couple of weeks, when you are with the trainer do your pre trip point out all the parts and say about them "not broken, cracked, frayed, or leaking" this will let the trainer know you are paying attention to detail, also when driving say out loud signs such as speed limit, height, weight limit etc. this will let the trainer know you are paying attention to everything. Good luck bud.
ASevenfold Thanks this. -
The Markham terminal doesn't make you do pre-trip so I'm pretty sure all the terminals are like that.
You just gotta do the road test. You may do the road test in a automatic because the company is going back to them. Depends on what the road test guy has. The company has 8 speed, 10 speed & automatics.
They key to passing the road test.....don't kill anyone.
Dollar General (bad) & North East (worse) Good Luck lolASevenfold and Brandson Thank this. -
Students aren't required to do backing. It depends on the tester you get. The people who are testing are usually trainers. I've done about a dozen of them.
TruckDuo and ASevenfold Thank this. -
Ok thanks, I trained in a 10 speed and an 8 is pretty much the same thing almost. I didn't think I would have to do a pre-trip, a lot of the companies I've looked into don't make you do pre-trips at the orientation road test, they only make you do them when you go to test out for your own truck.
Just curious but why do you say Dollar General accounts are bad? -
Why do I say Dollar General is bad ? Use the search box at the top to find out. There is a reason why every company has an opening for Dollar General, Family Dollar, Dollar Store.
My wife put it best: You haul a lot of Dollars but make none yourself.
Ever seen where some of these stores are ? Imagine backing into it. Then having to unload.
The North East isn't any better. Small runs = small paycheck.ASevenfold Thanks this.
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