how to study for CDL

11 hours drive time. 14 on 10 off

 

Actually it isn't the tests but the concepts of how thing work or what you can or can't do matters. It sets up a foundation for you to learn how to drive a truck. All of that stuff is what you learn when you get the CDL, it comes with time The written test has little impact in the real world.and some help in some of cases.

The app mentioned is good as are any practice tests after you know some of the material but I stand by the use of the manual as the first source of information and all that is needed to pass the test. NOT learning the questions by rote.

I guess the years of doing this, seeing marginal crap drivers who can't figure out how to check oil or know when a tire is bad doesn't mean much. the OP asked a good question, too many people want to jump into this and get on the road and eventually fail because they don't know the material that they are tested on, doesn't make them dummies but rather slowing them down helps a lot. The purpose of the cdl is to be a step above those four wheelers who get their license in a crackerjack box and know how a truck works, the dynamics of driving a truck and the laws/regulations basics to drive it safely. But I am guessing because I would like to see our image and our safety record improve by getting people to be more professional and to learn instead of get by, I am stroking my ego and lying about using a manual which is written for this purpose instead of rote learning of the material which may leave you screwed with a road test.

To the OP, if you want to learn about driving safely, start learning the Smith System ( www.smith-system.com ), it will help you drive safely.

 

Knock on wood, Smith System has taught me to act like a paranoid crack head and look out for the po-po. head is always on a swivel.( watching others and your footprint ) Ridgeline is correct about smith system, also use some common sense.


Smith is a great tool.

 

Hello again my friend! Congratulations on your ability to obtain a masters degree. I didn’t realize you are a scholar

The forum is good place to meet and make friends, share tips of the trade, but also there is a wealth of good information to be found on it. I was originally concerned by your question to cheat or actually learn the material contained in the little CDL manual. The manual does little more than prepare newe drivers to perform the duties of being a pro. What it will not do is guarantee you comprehend the job fully if you only study the answers

How does the Air-Brake System Function? I don’t think that choosing A,B,C or D really qualifies a driver. What each component of the CDL manual attempts to do is give new drivers a basic understanding of a CMV,what is suppose to move or not move when doing a pre or post trip inspection and rules of the road.

Least of all the first six months on the truck you might think you know everything, but the reality is “the road is long and goes on forever”. She is unforgiving, she will take everything you have and want more. You will find she can’t be conquered. The game is really about survival of the fittest.

What I have learned over the years is respect. Respect for the men and women whom the road has been their home away from home. Boring long hauls and broken tractors or trailers will become a part of your life if you survive the first year.

But my advise is sit around the Iron Skillet drivers section and listen to the old timer’s tell there stories, money talks and b.s. walks….

BTW….to answer your question, don’t cheat!

 

Where do you learn these things? I'm not trying to be a ######## when I ask this, just honest curiosity, is this something you learn in CDL school, company training, when you hit the road with a trainer, when you get your own truck?

 

Read the relevant DMV manual material many times, then read it some more.
Then, when you think you have a grasp of the material, go to the practice tests here or elsewhere online and do those.
Study what you missed on the practice tests and hone your knowledge to a fine edge.
Go back and re-read the DMV book, then take more practice tests.
Once you feel ready, take a day off of studying, get some rest, and then go in and knock off the touch-screen tests for your permit at the DMV.

It's not rocket surgery, but some of the questions are devilishly worded and will trip you if you speed through them and don't have a good grasp of the subject matter.

 

I drive local in California only, so the HOS I listed is accurate for my situation. Haha I just called my dispatcher and he confirmed

 

I learned it all while on the truck by myself. Truck school schmuck school. They only teach you how to be a dangerous incompetent fool at those CDL schools.

 

studied just the study guides for 3 days, never bothered reading the book. Took the test today and passed with an overall score of 90%. I admit some questions weren't on the study guides which stumped me but most where. Passed on first try, but learned I could have retaken it. So to anyone else reading it can be done in 3 days or less, and just by taking the practices tests over and over.

 

question now is if I decide not to go to trucker school how do I teach myself the course for my actual test. is there videos to watch? I have a 1 ton truck and pulling a camper trailer (under cdl weight) I can practice on this... and always use a larger trailer for the CDL test itself....right? But I need to know what to practice and how to behave for the test, and do all this without a instructor (I have no friends with CDLs)