I got my Class A CDL today.

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by bananajohn, Sep 28, 2022.

  1. bananajohn

    bananajohn Bobtail Member

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    Just six weeks ago I had no idea how to pre-trip, couldn’t shift worth ####, no idea how to back a tractor-trailer, and I can do all that and more now.


    It’s been a wild six weeks, looking forward to what the future brings!

    For anyone thinking about taking the leap into trucking, I hope this can be encouragement for you!

    r.d
     
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  3. Hawkeye72

    Hawkeye72 Light Load Member

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    Congratulations!! I remember when i got mine, was on cloud 9 for a while.
     
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  4. austinmike

    austinmike Road Train Member

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    Congratulations! Now get to work ! :occasion5:
     
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  5. lual

    lual Road Train Member

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    Congrats!!! :wav: :occasion5:
    My best advice...to new & aspiring drivers:

    When backing into any dark space--use magnetic flashlights (attached to the trailer) to illuminate the hole. This will help prevent parking incidents. Also--whenever in doubt--it's cheaper & easier...to GET OUT & LOOK.

    It also appears to be a good time to get into the industry. It's very much a driver's market right now.

    --Lual
     
  6. OLDSKOOLERnWV

    OLDSKOOLERnWV Captain Redbeard

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  7. Dennixx

    Dennixx Road Train Member

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    twin cities
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    Golf clap for you
     
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  8. Me Too

    Me Too Bobtail Member

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    Sep 24, 2022
    Quakertown, PA
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    Heading out to training in two weeks. The magnetic lights are going into my first truck! Thanks.
     
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  9. OLDSKOOLERnWV

    OLDSKOOLERnWV Captain Redbeard

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    Nov 29, 2011
    West Virginia
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    Started driving in the 80’s with a chauffeur license. After all these years, I find I’m still learning at times.

    If you’re setting at a Truckstop taking your 10 or your 34, don’t be the guy that videos the other guy pulling up 3 times trying to get parked in a tight spot. Instead offer him a extra set of eyes, we were all beginners at one time…..
     
  10. tarmadilo

    tarmadilo Road Train Member

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    Congrats! Now the learning really begins. This job is profoundly easier for me to do than it was when I first started four years ago. Practice does indeed make perfect, or at less less imperfect!
     
    tscottme Thanks this.
  11. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

    Sometimes I would touch my brake pedal just enough to activate the brake lights as they help illuminate what you are backing toward. The worst are places up North where the dock is inside a building and you back through a big rollup door. It can be very difficult to see the dock until you are about 2 inches from it. Just go slow. Realize when you are perfectly backed into a spot, and it has bright yellow lines painted on the ground, the line on your passenger side is more accurate showing if your truck and trailer are straight between the yellow lines. The line on the driver side IS NOT accurate. If you try to get the trailer parallel using the yellow line on the driver side you will wind up angled toward the driver side, not parallel to both lines. Watch the passenger side lines on the ground to get centered and parallel to the lines on the ground.
     
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