Get my CDL on my own without going to school?

Thanks for the advice, I'll let you know how it goes

 

If you can float the gears you can dbl clutch, I dbl clutched durring the test, the pre trip I just had to point at what I was inspecting, didnt have to touch anything. I used my watch for the air brake inspection, didnt have to wait the full min.

good luck,

 

Sorry, I can't help with what to expect on the test. I was grandfathered in on the CDL. All I had to do was take the new endorsment tests. It definently sounds like alot of ####. I used to train drivers and then take them over to do their tests, but never really got into the specifics on what all they made then do. I do believe however, it veries to some degree with different states. The best advice is just study the material, take your time and don't be afarid to ask questions. Remember the stupidest question is the one NOT asked. Good Luck

 

I never could double clutch. I even told the trooper that did my road test with me that I couldn't and he may as well dock my points for it now. He laughed and said as long as you can shift it smoothly it will be ok.

I didn't take a school, my father taught me how to drive. Only problem I ran into was back when I first got into OTR. The company I wanted to drive for needed me to take a FMCSR course on Hours of service, logs, and whistle blower. Took a day and was 100 bucks.

larry, if you can back a end dump (if its a short trailer) you can back a 53. It was 20 times harder for me to get used to a short dump than it was the spread skateboard I pulled. The one 53 van I pulled was even easier.

 

I guess the way i am going to obtain my CDL is not in the norm. I am going through what they call Vocational Rehabilitation. After suffering a back injury and then waiting 10 months battling the insurance company to get back surgery i finally did get. Since the doc's have told me i am not to go back into warehouse work the insurance company has to pay to retrain me in another career. Yes i have done a few ride alongs since the back surgery and sitting for long periods in a truck does not bother my back and i do like traveling and seeing different places. Well the trianing will cost me nothing and that is good to know.

Alot of states have these Vocational Rehab centers to help you get a better job. they will pay for your training if you qualify. Say if you are working in a warehouse making $10 hr, that is not going to support a family too good. What they want is for you to get a job that is a career. A good paying job. they will not train you to work in a low paying job. I know some people that are going to a 4 yr college to get a career. Thanks to the voc rehab. Other ways are getting a goverment grant to pay for your schooling. Yes the goverment has a pell grant and other grants to help out. Former military can check with the dept of veterans affair to see what programs they have to help out. There is alot of programs out there to help.

Some colleges out there have CDL schools and you can go and talk to the recruiters there and find out what you can qualify for. Regular trucking schools can also try to get some grants for you.

I am going to go through a College CDL training course where the course is accredited. Finding a credited school is important because some companies out there will not take you without a credited school. One company i know in paticular is Marten Transport. This is the company i hope to be driving for when i get out of school.

 

See, I would get it on my own too but the problem is I can't find a truck to practice in for a day or two and take the test. No one around here rent's truck's out for getting a CDL.

 

I was going to get a WIA grant from the state for school. The week before I started Missouri put a freeze on all funding, so i was SOL. I decided to rent a truck from the college and took the test myself two weeks ago. I passed the pretrip so I don't have to mess with that anymore. I do have to do my skills test again. Didn't get to the road test, ran out of time. I failed on my parallel parking, I wasn't setting myself up right. I managed to get the blindside but ran out of points on the drivers side. A buddy of mine called me that weekend and he got ahold of a truck and a trailer and we went down to where I work and set the cones up to the proper lengths. Once he showed me how to set myself up I nailed both sides every time. Then we took a trip around town. I know I could get it now! I have another appointment this Thursday, I 'll get it this time. Grumpy dad had some good advice, Ask Questions! THe instructor told me I didn't have to double clutch, he told me to drive it how I was most comfortable with driving it. I called them before hand to get all the information. Good luck to you Larry!

 

"KayDriver1", You got the right idea just please don't get too ahead of yourself and make a stupid mistake that will cost you. I know it's nerve rackin but, keep your eye on the big picture. I'm not sure where Monett is, I used to live in Sikeston for many years. Thought maybe I could hook you up with someone down that way to help you out. If you can figure it out there is no such thing as too much practice. Let me know how it goes, Thanx.

 

Thanks. I practiced quite a bit that day, after I backed in everytime he would tell me to do it again. He's a good friend and he want's me to get it as bad as I do. Monett is in the far southwestern corner of MO in northern Barry county, I'm about 30 min from the AR state line. I'll be nervous but I'm prepared this time. I'll definitley let u all know how it went.

 

Kaydriver, sounds like your well on your way to accomplishing your task of getting your CDL without a school. Sorry I missed your earlier posts so this information may be too late. I found a private towing company in Sedalia MO on Hwy 65 that will "teach" you what you need to know and let you use thier automatic day cab single axle truck and 35' flatbed trailer to take the test with, one day "class" for $400. Dons towing in Sedalia Mo, you should be able to google it and ge the number if needed. Good Luck! I take mine this Friday, 3/28. Already applied at Maverick......see what happens!