Anyone have experience with Texas CDL rental trucks?

Ok guys here is my report. I went to www.cdltesttruck.com in Waxahachie on Friday and got my CDL. The truck was a very nice 2012 Pete with an auto transmission and a 28' pup trailer. My CDL is a class A with no restrictions. There were ten people in my group. As you finish your road test you go inside the DPS office and get your license and then leave. I was the 8th to go. I know 8 of us passed, 1 failed, and I think one more probably failed but I left before he finished. The one that failed and the other that probably did the instructor was hesitant to even let them take the road test because they drove so badly during the practice. He straight up told them they were not ready and were going to fail.


Cost was reasonable. $250 up front and $260 due when you arrive. They tried to sell everyone a $200 damage waiver insurance or be forced with a $5000 deductible if you crash. I didn't buy it and most didn't either but a couple did.

Billy the instructor is a very cool guy and is very knowledgeable. He knows the test they give you inside and out and will tell you exactly what you need to do to pass and will tell you exactly what you are doing wrong with no BS or sugar coating. He is easy going, but at the same time serious and firm. You need to understand that this is not driver training. You only spend about 30 minutes driving the truck, and an hour watching two others drive before you take the test. He tells you what you need to do to pass, but in no way would I think you would be prepared to drive on your own without further instruction.

I got my license and scored a 94 on the road test. Most everyone scored in low 90's and you only need a 70 to pass. If you pay attention I am pretty sure you can pass. The guy that failed and the other that probably did I wonder how they even drive a car. Maybe they were just nervous I don't know but they couldn't even remember to turn on or off turn signals, check mirrors, etc. They were driving 30 mph down a 65 mph highway, wandering all over the road, etc. They were pretty bad. I have a couple non CDL 26k trucks and have pulled 20-30' gooseneck trailers for 20 years on a regular basis so it was pretty easy for me. I had never driven a tractor trailer before this though.

It is crowded. Ten of us met Billy at a Walmart parking lot at 1:00 AM and all piled in the truck and rode to the DPS office. Once there we all got out and three at a time rode in the truck and did about 30 minutes of driving each on the actual road course where you take the test. One drove and the other two watched. The rest of us not in the truck had to stay on a 20' square concrete pad at the DPS office. Evidently the DPS will only let the groups stay there at night if they stay on this pad and don't wander around. There is a bench on it for two people to sit but the others had to stand or sit on the ground and it pretty much sucked. Our vehicles weren't there, no drinks, etc and we were there from 1:30 AM until 7AM. Maybe you are a night owl but I get up at 7 AM and go to sleep every day by around midnight and and being up this late sucked for me. I was very tired as I had been up since 7 AM. We then drove back to walk mart in the truck and got our vehicles and had to be back at the DPS by 8AM. At this point I had been up over 24 hours.

Once back at the DPS you don't even have to go inside they handle the paperwork for you. Everyone does their airbrake test and then one at a time you go do the road test which includes backing and parallel parking. It takes about 45 minutes per person and you don't really know the order you go in. 5 people drive before lunch then the examiner takes an hour lunch break and you come back at 1:00pm and the other 5 take their road test. It sucks again because you have to stand in a designated area outside to be ready to go if you are next. You can at least walk inside the office and use the bathroom or get water if you want but you pretty much need to stay out there to be ready. It was hot too. I don't want to sound like a wimp as I normally work outside but standing around outside in 98 degree heat when you have been up 30 hours is no fun. If you are lucky enough to be one of the first drivers you can get out of there by 9 or 10 am but in my case I didn't get to drive until 3:00 and I was a walking zombie from being up 32 hours at that point. It was a wonder I passed because when I was driving my pickup back to the motel afterwards I could barely stay awake.

I don't know if there is a reason they have everyone there the whole time but it would be much better if they told the 5 people that were not driving until after lunch to go get some sleep when they left at 7 am and return at 1PM.

All in all it was cool as I got my license but the whole being up 32 hours and standing around outside so long was kind of a turn off for me. Most the people in my class were in their early 20's and it probably didn't bother them as much as me as I am nearly 40, have a family and a very regular sleep schedule. I don't plan on being OTR and work 8-5 for the most part. 20 years ago I would have thought staying up all night was cool, for me this part was miserable. I think they offer a course in Waco where you practice one day during the day and take the test the second day. I would have much preferred this but it was booked and I needed the soonest option available which was the all nighter. I would recommend it to get your CDL but just be prepared to be there and awake 24+ hours from when you show up at 1AM.

 

No pretrip.

 

Glad I got mine when I did.