Huge setback!

Sorry to hear that.Why didn't you get your CDL while you was in school?Backing is the hardest to learn for many.It took me more then 4 trys to ace it.I think that's a bit much having to wait 6 months to try again.But that's Ohio for ya,they hate trks.

 

I don't want to sound like a jerk here, but this is as it should be. If everyone who showed up with a pulse was granted a CDL, then driver pay would be even lower than it is already. Those tests are NOT difficult. If you couldn't pass in four tries, then perhaps trucking is not for you.

You call it test anxiety. If you can't cope with test anxiety and still perform to MINIMUM standards, then what are you going to do when you've got to back your trailer into a dock inside a dark building in Maspeth, NY while blocking traffic on a busy narrow street with cars parked on both sides - without your trainer?

 

Read the post. He failed the BACKING only. Do you have an Ohio cdl? Have you taken a cdl test in Ohio? I remember the backing portion quite well. It was the only portion I had problems with. The things every single one of us does several times a week as experienced drivers would cause you to fail an Ohio backing test. I have a depth perception issue that caused me loads of issues when my points of reference were a couple of cones.

I remember the stupid instructor comments when I was practicing. You went 6 inches over, you just destroyed a dock...... Really.... Any dock that can't take a 1/2 mph hit from a truck isn't safe in the first #### place.

 

Pardon my cynicism here Smith, but didn't you leave out the part, 'while barefoot in the snow?' I don't often speak out of turn in this forum because granted, I'm only a human being and not a truck driver yet, but I believe the OP was asking for advice. I am not currently having difficulty with backing, but I've no idea how I will do backing when under the pressure of an examiner. So if you don't have advice for the newb maybe just save the lack of same for judgment day. In my sport you'd be labeled 'skygod.' Jus sayin

 

Dog. Hang in there man. I went to C1 in Indy in 2010. IN CDL test is BRUTAL !!!! Took me 4 tries ! I was out there for 5 weeks. My wife had a stroke while I was finishing on road training and I had to quit the sponsering company ! I came within 2 hours of not even trying my LAST turn at bat which I only passed by 6 points....BUT I PASSED ! My CDL CLASS A is NO different then the 1 guy in my class who was an ex AF fighter pilot who ACED it and was done in 4 days ! Now 3.5 + years later just went over 200k miles. Considering 4 different VERY HIGH PAYING offers from 4 top of the line companies....THEY are now calling me asking me to come work for them ! HANG IN THERE MAN....JUST DONT QUIT ! DONT QUIT ! DONT QUIT ! If this is YOUR dream ! DONT QUIT !

 

You guys missed the most important part of windsmith's post...the most important part [Quote If you can't cope with test anxiety and still perform to MINIMUM standards UN-quote]...Dave you got pretty close to it with this....[Quote I am not currently having difficulty with backing, but I've no idea how I will do backing when under the pressure of an examiner. UN-Quote] Most people handle testing differently...we are all individuals....some handle pressure pretty well , some not so good. All windsmith did was point out that "if " the OP had already failed the backing tests 4 , four , quarto...times....He merely pointed out to him that he may have picked a career that he does have now or will never have the skill set to handle..simple because of "anxiety issues"...some folks can do this job...some folks can't , not for lack of trying or the desire to do , they just can't. Seems like the OP may be one of those people.

 

After driving for almost 33 years,there are days when I can't even back up strait.don't let your nerves get the better of you.You have the skill and knowledge.just say" i got this aced" Good luck

 

Nobody is as perfect as you are so give the op a brake.So what if he didn't pass within 4 tries.This guy paid good money for his school now he had to fork out more.It took me more then 4 times and 11 yrs later im still at it.Ohio hates trks and the less they have to see the happier they r my guess would be why only 4 tries.

 

If you failed four times and the state says you have to wait six months and start all over then what advice do you want? You have to wait six months and start all over.