Does the sand hauling company road test usually include backing?

Discussion in 'Oilfield Trucking Forum' started by Ponce2025, Nov 28, 2024.

  1. Ponce2025

    Ponce2025 Bobtail Member

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    I got my cdl 2 years ago, but the 2 cdl jobs I've had didn't require me to do any backing, so I don't know how to back a trailer. This week I have a company road test for a sand hauling job, but those jobs don't usually require backing too much either, will the road test include backing? It's for resource transport in odessa
     
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  3. kemosabi49

    kemosabi49 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Technically , backing is a required part of a road test. But I know many companies don't follow this. From the FMCSA

    § 391.31 Road test.
    (a) Except as provided in subpart G, a person shall not drive a commercial motor vehicle unless he/she has first successfully completed a road test and has been issued a certificate of driver's road test in accordance with this section.

    (b) The road test shall be given by the motor carrier or a person designated by it. However, a driver who is a motor carrier must be given the test by a person other than himself/herself. The test shall be given by a person who is competent to evaluate and determine whether the person who takes the test has demonstrated that he/she is capable of operating the commercial motor vehicle, and associated equipment, that the motor carrier intends to assign him/her.

    (c) The road test must be of sufficient duration to enable the person who gives it to evaluate the skill of the person who takes it at handling the commercial motor vehicle, and associated equipment, that the motor carriers intends to assign to him/her. As a minimum, the person who takes the test must be tested, while operating the type of commercial motor vehicle the motor carrier intends to assign him/her, on his/her skill at performing each of the following operations:

    (1) The pretrip inspection required by § 392.7 of this subchapter;

    (2) Coupling and uncoupling of combination units, if the equipment he/she may drive includes combination units;

    (3) Placing the commercial motor vehicle in operation;

    (4) Use of the commercial motor vehicle's controls and emergency equipment;

    (5) Operating the commercial motor vehicle in traffic and while passing other motor vehicles;

    (6) Turning the commercial motor vehicle;

    (7) Braking, and slowing the commercial motor vehicle by means other than braking; and

    (8) Backing and parking the commercial motor vehicle.

    Strange thing is a company can, in most cases accept your CDL in lieu of a road test.

    §391.31 Road test.

    Guidance Q&A
    Question 1: Are employers still required to administer road tests since all States have implemented CDL skills testing?

    Guidance: The employer may accept a CDL in lieu of a road test if the driver is required to successfully complete a road test to obtain a CDL in the State of issuance. However, if the employer intends to assign to the driver a vehicle necessitating the doubles/triples or tank vehicle endorsement, the employer must administer the road test under §391.31 in a representative vehicle
     
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  4. RockinChair

    RockinChair Road Train Member

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    How did you pass the skills test to get your CDL? And how did you park at the yard, truck stops, and customers?

    If you're pulling a pneumatic you will be doing a lot of backing up - like, every single time you unload.

    No matter what, I strongly suggest you learn how to back up before you drive onto an oilfield location. They are often very busy and cramped, with lots of equipment, piping, and personnel in close proximity. It's not always possible to drive through or around.
     
  5. 77fib77

    77fib77 Road Train Member

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    I wouldn't worry about it. You either pass or you don't. They either need you enough or not. You can tell them you haven't done much backing. Your already in the oil field which is a plus.
     
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  6. RockinChair

    RockinChair Road Train Member

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    @Ponce2025 How did the test go? Did you get hired?
     
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  7. OliverCallenderIII

    OliverCallenderIII Light Load Member

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    If you can’t back idk how the hell your even on the road , crazy
     
  8. Iamoverit

    Iamoverit Road Train Member

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    Truck stops are full of people that can't back. Most of them can't even speak English either. Welcome to New America.
     
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  9. OliverCallenderIII

    OliverCallenderIII Light Load Member

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    Very true, I haven’t parked at a truck stop other to get fuel in years but I sure see JB hunt putting some trash ### drivers on the road
     
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  10. Judge

    Judge Road Train Member

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    I don’t know about some people, during road tests I gave with Boasso Global/Gulf states intermodal, I had one hook up from bobtail, pretrip of course truck then trailer. I’d be double checking, making sure kingpin was locked.
    When we drove around they required 25 miles minimum. Usually you could tell before going 1-2 miles. But one I said no on, almost back to terminal he got a text and grabbed phone and went reading it while driving, so if it’s a distraction, turn it off.
    Then I’d make them back back into a spot where we got trailer and drop it and put truck back in bobtail spot.

    Every now and then, if I hadn’t eaten, we’d stop by the Petro when it had the iron skillet in west Memphis and eat, usually a good driver, I felt comfortable with driving, no pull through, back into a spot, and I’d buy dinner, then we’d go back to terminal.

    So it’s more in the way of the person doing the road test.
     
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  11. '88K100

    '88K100 Road Train Member

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    Putting truck i “R” is a start, go from there, sure as heck is not rocket science,,its eye hand coordination…simple as that. Just like shiftin’ gears,,,not a skill at all..
     
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