getting a CDL "on my own"...with good help?

BTW, I did get my CDL awhile ago. My experience...

I handled the written exams by practicing with an app. The tests were easy. I would have lost my mind sitting through classes for that stuff. (I won't recommend the app because it had some totally incorrect answers and some crazy state-specific questions that were distracting.)

I bought a few hours of instruction at a new school in my area, 160 Driving Academy, Gary, Indiana. They had space and were very accommodating. I mostly practiced in their yard. I'd never driven with a 53' trailer so that was new. (I had just bought a beautiful new 53' Reitnouer drop deck so I got to practice a little with it, too.)

I was mostly concerned about the outside pre-trip inspection but ended up passing it with points to spare. Then I screwed up *easy* stuff that I totally knew in both the brake check and skills test. (This was embarrassingly stupid stuff that I never would have guessed I'd screw up. I totally got distracted by some of the nuances of the testing situation.)

The road test was no problem. I was super anxious because it's been a decade or so since I've had manual transmission trucks. (I rented a truck for the test.) I eventually relaxed into not float shifting, but not before I missed every single one of the "What did that sign say?" questions.

I am sure that there's a lot of information I would have picked up in a school program but there's no way that I would have been able to justify 160 hours for it. Doing it "on my own" was definitely a good solution for me.

Some notes for pilots who are considering a CDL...

1. There are apparently no good study courses. I found no equivalent to a Jeppesen or King School course for trucks. CDL AudioLearn was fine for listening while driving but I'm not sure it helped me on the test.

2. I had no luck finding Indiana-specific study tests. It's not like the FAA where you can get a book with all of the questions and answers.

3. There's no testing standard for the pre-trip! Seriously. I asked about this repeatedly. Yes, the examiner has a clipboard and writes stuff on it. But apparently everyone gets to interpret how the points accumulate. The trick is to find out how your examiner (not some YouTube dude) does it.

4. Thorough knowledge of systems is not required (or desired to be demonstrated). Just mention all of the buzzwords. Don't actually check or explain anything.

5. You don't have to be signed off to take the test! (And your instructor doesn't get a demerit if you show up poorly prepared.) I wish I'd realized that sooner. I would have gladly paid to take the test early in the process just so I knew what to expect. I wish I'd studied the pre-trip hard, taken the test, then done skills and roadwork before testing again.

6. There is no equivalent to a Flight Instructor for CDLs. Be prepared for lots of misinformation from CDL holders who consider themselves authoritative sources. It takes a bit of sifting to determine who provides good info. (I'd say "See this thread" but it looks like some of the comments have been deleted.)

7. Trucks don't come with dual controls. Find an instructor who communicates clearly and buy an hour or two in a trainer. Seriously, driving a truck with "STUDENT DRIVER" all over it is quite liberating. Make some mistakes and learn.