DMV road test Friday. Nervous as hell dont think im ready.

Hes trying to beat muscle memory into you, and its a good thing. In a panic situation or when stressed, its muscle memory that will save your life, or allow you to concentrate on your surroundings rather than your gear selection. You will get it, everyone does.

 

Oh...you should be fine.I was a little nervous.I mean Iowa HP with a gun sitting next to you checking boxes on a checklist.First thing Put your Seat belt On (as soon as you get in the seat.Try to pretend that they are not there (you'll drive better if your not all stressed).They know you'received not gonna grab gears like BJ and the Bear.Believe me they are used to grinding gears.Don't "skip"any gears.Only double clutch even with the top of the brake pedal.Don't speed any in the exit ramps.35mph then do 30.Don't cross any lines with your tandems.Look in your side mirrors every 5 to 8 seconds etc.

 

Relax! You'll be fine! I did swift academy and with minimal training got 100% on pre trip and no points lost on backing or driving at the school. Was nervous at dmv and first thing I did was hit a cone on straight line back lol. It's easy there and they have to test people that are bloody awful all day every day. If you're passing at your school, you'll do great at dmv.

 

You'll do fine. Just relax and take your time. They won't disqualify you for taking a turn too slow but they will fail you for hitting a curb. Remember the height signs as you go buy them... and relax! I failed my first A test from nerves and taking the test in a different truck than I practiced with. Don't be afraid to take a second and do ten deep breaths through your nose and out of your mouth. You can do this!

Another tip for you and others. You an take your truck to the DMV and practice there when they're off. I did it for two cdl drivers and they both passed first go. And I did it myself for my motorcycle license. Speaking of which why do they trust us with 70' 80k rigs and not a 275lb bike? Weird.

 

Just relax the more you get your self stressed about it the harder it is. I jist got my CDL a few months ago and I was nervous as hell for when it came time to test but if you just relax drive safe and show the guy you have a basic understand of the truck and you should be fine.

 

Ok with that result I would talk with the other students and find out what was causing the failures. And in your case with the curb, were you just nervous? You should be pulling out far at each turn and then watching the trailer as you're going around to make sure it's not hitting. Usually you have to pull out an extra lane distance before you start to turn is a good rule of thumb, but not so far as to leave enough room for a 4 wheeler to get in there and be on your right.

 

If 7/10 failed, I'd say you have an instructor problem.

 

Yea, with what you're telling me, it sounds like you guys just weren't ready, and that may be not enough time behind the wheel or instructor problem. Did it seem like you were learning enough to be comfortable during the school?