Hope the 3rd time is a charm...

How can you go over the road on a permit?

 

I have never heard of a company doing something like this before. Usually before you go out with a trainer you have to already have your CDL. It's almost like this company is doing everything backwards. I think there is a limit to how many times you can fail though. Like if you fail so many times you have to wait like an extended period of time before trying again.

 

I know in CA, after you pass the written you have three chances between the pre-trip, skills and road test combined. If you fail a third time, you just have to retake the written again. There were people at my driving school that had this happen and once they took the written again they had three more shots. You could take each separately in CA so the failures added separately as well. There was no period of time to wait after failing, but you did have to pay the fees for taking the tests all over again.

 

Try to find out what this time limit is and practice doing the pre trip until you can stay under it. Time limits for a pre trip is such bull, do they want you to be a safe driver or what? Same crap about the backing tests where you are only allowed to get out fo the truck 3 times, this does not promote an atmosphere of safety. It imparts a need to rush everything, which leads to new drivers causing accidents.

Do what you need to do to knock out this test. When you get out here however, STOP, LOOK, take your time and do it correctly, if you think it is unsafe to drive, it most likely is unsafe. When indoubt, STOP, get out and check it out. I see drivers hit things all the time. I know what I'm talking about, sad to say I hit something early on in my career, but being too proud to get out and look I proceeded and tore up a truck.

Sorry for the rant there, but I currently work for one of those companies that pumps drivers out of their schools and then watches them have accidents, then complain about said accidents, and still does nothing but try to shorten the training period. All they want are cold bodies leasing their trucks.

 

I'm sure there are plenty of companies out there that will give you a chance. Obviously if you were in law enforcement then you went to school for that and have some wits about you. Well the pre-trip is just like that. Its just memorization. All you have to do is point and name the part. If it helps breakdown everything in sections and do each one separately instead of just aimlessly pointing and naming parts. Start with your frame work and then work your way to the suspension. After that go to the brakes and tires and wheels. After that check all lines, hoses, belts etc... Then check all fluids. Check your motor components and then all parts that help the motor such as alternator, radiator, compressor etc... If you do it the same way every time this will also help. Though the truck you are testing on maybe different all the parts will be the same.

Good luck man...

 

That's what I was just getting ready to ask.