6th times the charm?

Hi guys.
Im on my 13th day of solo local. Its been interesting and frustrating, lol.

Id like to reply to a post in this thread by the OBF.

No. It was absolutely not easy. And it was costly.
I spent over 2g to pass this test, and $1800 for insurance while training out of the $5400+ I paid for first time driver for 6mo. After driving on the job for two months, I had to put aside what I had learned and needed in the real world to focus on giving a DOT tester the answers they wanted to hear. During that time, I lost out on over 24g in wages while renting equipment that would fit in the testing yard. Ive come up with over 14g to start my business and get my license. Ridiculous.

My advice to anyone getting into this business is to hire on with an employer that will not only put you on the road, but train you to pass the DOT testing at the same time. This will require patience from the employer as you will never get a real route done if you abide by DOT requirements. In WA, I recommend you focus strongly on two factors. The full pre trip and its verbiage, and down shift double clutching.

I scored a 26 out of 60 the first time, and an 80 the second on the pre trip. This was due to nothing other than being more descriptive although I pointed out all the same parts both times. On the first road test, I got a 39 out of 30 because they scored every double clutch. The second time I scored a 23, simply because I double clutched better. It was a rental unit, and a different one that I had taken my warm up drive in only an hour before and I wasnt used to it.

There are far more factors for people getting into the industry today than there were 10yrs ago. What frightens me is that the DOT is asking for things that dont apply to the real world, and the schools are training for the tests, and not reality. Many students will pass only to find that what they learned will get them fired from a real job. I rented the equipment I used on the last two tests. Both times, I had combos different from what I warmed up with.

The good news is that after 13 days, Ive made over $8g.
This being said, I own my equipment. I pay vehicle payments and upkeep, taxes, gas and insurance. At this point, Ive broken even, and there are two holidays that are coming up that I wont have work. Could be four days this month with no income. I footed the bill for a passenger side steer wheel seal and inside bearing, and methinks Ive got a exhaust leak with back fire.

Easy?
No. Getting the license is tough when the answers to the test are different from reality.
2 + 2 = 7. Or maybe 6, or 9 depending on the tester and what phase the moon is is in.

However, the future looks bright, and I dont regret taking this on. My only wish is that I had the proper training to give the DOT the answers they wanted to hear from the get go. At the same time, I wouldnt give up a minute of the real world training I received from a 40yr driver that probably couldnt have passed the current DOT tests. I use his training every day. As far as the DOT requirements, well now I know the name of the parts that might break so I can tell the mechanic I have on tap to inspect my equipment every month. Yeah, that was worth the costs and time.

Anyway, remember to be overly descriptive on the pre trip, and to double clutch all the time during the road test in WA. That will get you in the door. They give you a lot of chances on the skill (backing) tests. But once you pass, be prepared to be thrown to the wolves by ignorant dispatchers and improper training.

Easy to get your CDL? Not from my perspective.