Advice for a "Skills Check with a Safety Rep"?

Relax, breathe, and remember that person eat and sleeps too....

 

Drive absolutely the best you possibly can.
Your entire career depends on the results of this test ride so do a good job.

 

Each & every time you hire on with a different Carrier, they must certify that you can operate their equipment; They will do everything your CDL School taught you to do...nothing more. Its not rocket science, Have fun.

Many years ago, i recall taking a road test at a Carrier, the instructor grabbed a truck not in use by an over-the-road driver, i was the 3rd man stuffed in the bunk area. When it was my turn, nobody prior to me had removed the over-the-road drivers stuff from the dashboard prior to starting. myself i shuffled the OTR driver's books & paperwork & other stuff together and plopped it down on the floor.

The instructor replied, thats somebodies belongings.

my reply, "The Debris" is obstructing my view.

Later, while coming to the end of a four lane road turning on to a one way road, i moved to the outside lane to setup for a right turn, the instructor spoke up & stated, at this location, you must use the inside lane the drivers here will pass you on the right as your trailer tracks in their lane)

i replied, the text book states, when making a turn that has a double turn lane, the semi truck uses the outside turn lane, while doing the turn i was mindful of possible cars using the inside turn lane...i completed my road test with no issues found.

The instructor whom gave that road test was not formally trained & made his decision based upon his own driving experience. (he'll drive to appease drivers he works with & will try to avoid accidents on what he may think will work.)

Always, use the models taught in the book...you'll always win. To prepare yourself, just reread your CDL manual.

 

Good job, lefty

 

I've been missing something I guess I have never had to do a driving or skills test. I've been doin this since 83

 

Years back I was to be employed by a owner/op but had to go through company testing in minus 35 weather.. After finding defects on 2 company trucks and 1 trailer the tester finally said let's assume truck is defect free and we went for a road test .. It took awhile to warm up trucks for test so I ended up killing 2 hrs of our time needless to say 3 company drivers had a meeting with safety when they reported to work .. This company fixed everything promptly WHEN reported .. Nice to hear you found a job with a good company LtL is hard work the odd time but normally pays better .. Just don't let your guard down after a few months GOAL works and I still do it when unsure time to time .. Get good at backing and planning and you can avoid incidents from rushing .. Good luck

 

Federal regs require a new employer to give a road test ( I'm pretty sure on that ) along with numerous other things. They may not but are supposed to.