Need tips on CDL Road Test (not skillr or pre-trip)

The CDL manual states do not change gears when crossing an intersection. So, logically when turning at an intersection, remain in the same gear until you have completed the turn and are straightened and ready to accelerate. Remember, the rules are for trucks operating under restrictions. The tester is there to observe and record the behavior of the driver.

This is the point where you have to be knowledgeable as failure to comply to DOT rules could result in retesting after a 30 day waiting period.

Everything you need to know is written in plain English in the DOT handbook.

 

It's not crazy.

STAY in that gear until you finished turn and are ready to get out of town (Accelerate)

It is one of the tests I use on newbies, if I instruct someone to stay in a gear to turn (As done to me...) it is a obedience test as well.

Hell, when I take road tests I stay in gear until turn is finished. The last time I did that was coming out of the rest area upgrade towards batesville in Arkansas, staying in gear until the stresses are off the 5th wheel and everything pointing uphill, stomp the hammer and grab third, let's go. That road trip truck is what is pictured in the small picture below my handle. It's one of the beasts I enjoyed driving very much.

As a practical matter, I stay in gear on ice. And upgrades etc. Challenges to the rig are met with power applied after a turn on ice etc are completed. If you tried to change gears, you can expect possibly the whole rig turning into a wet noodle and then STALL out covering the entire intersection causing people to stand on thier brakes to try and not ram into you.

Your Test giver with the pen and clipboard will be checking off any mistakes you make during your test. If the pen is not scribbling, don't worry about it. If you want to see it scribble, miss a gear or start off backwards in a green light. Heh.

When people tell you small things like staying in gear as a lesson to you, in a teaching moment... do not adopt the mindset that 'it's crazy."

The minute you do, you are not a professional and will be unable to be a very good driver someday.

 

IL has the worst reputation of all the states for rude examiners that test CDL examinees. They flunk drivers that have years of experience and have relocated to IL and trying to change their CDL from another state to IL.

 

I don't know what kind of truck you are testing with, but you should be able to start in 3rd or 4th gear and get it up to 5th before you start the turn. Of course that depends on the turn. And the transmission. If in doubt just leave it in the highest gear you are comfortable with and ride it out through the turn. The last thing you want is to end up in too high a gear and stall in the intersection.

Another important thing to remember is to really exaggerate your head movements, when checking your mirrors and checking cross traffic and such. Don't just move your eyes, move your whole head. That may seem obvious but I've heard of a lot of people who failed the test because of this.

Good luck!

 

This was many, many years ago but when I took my test, the examiner wanted me to check my mirrors every 3-5 seconds. That's a whole lot of head turning but i complied.

The main things they will try to stump you on is shifting gears in turn, RR crossings, bridges, and ask you what that sign said after you passed it.

Also, if at all possible, use the clutch for shifting. When I took my test, it wasn't automatic fail if you floated gears, but it was several points. Why floating is frowned upon is beyond me. I don't see how it could be a safety issue.

 

You can float the gears and fake clutching. If pulling an empty start in 4-5th. gear.
Are you testing in West Chicago?