im takeing my cdl road test in a couple weeks just looking for any tips and tricks

You have two choices, you can wait, or you can make the driver back up. If you choose to wait say " hazard to the front " and wait for the vehicle to turn, that's what I did and the examiner didn't say anything and I passed. Pay close attention at that corner and you might be able to time it. Look far ahead and watch the don't walk signals, they will help you time the lights at intersections.
Good luck.

 

You never make a turn where you are blocked, regardless of lights. Blocking an intersection (when the dummy sits and looks at you) is never an option and can net you a hefty fine. Just make sure you tell your tester why you're not doing the turn. It shows him a professional attitude and that's always good.

 

in Mass and RI when you blow the horn you are signaling you are done with a particular maneuver. many times however, just setting the brakes is also a signal you are done...

so you see guys, each state is different as to how they do things.

 

Kittyfoot gives you good advice that is what I was taught when in driving school by the school (Illinois). I remember being nevous as heck on test day. Just relaxe and try to think about what you want to do (upshift, downshift ,what rpm do I need to be at for this downshift, is it a single down double down) . If you fail a part dont get to down on yourself ther are many who have to retake something me included. In Illinois on your angleback and sr\traight back you get one look on both and 1 reset on angle back. If you gottem use em dont be a hotshot on this day. GOOD LUCK I remember that day my self as it was only a few months ago.

 

You've been given pretty good advice on handling this situation, but just remember, if you're not comfortable just sit. It's only a few horns if the person behind you isn't happy. They aren't the one trying to get a trailer around a tiny corner.

 

Well on the other hand, not knowing if a state allows person to get out or not that advice should have been held or prefaced by "If the DMV allows..."

I understand you, hope you understand where I am coming from..

 

HHMMmmm....

i ain't the one that needs to understand. i was basically speaking up for chompi by the way you nailed him.......you still had the first opportunity to re-direct differently in light of his posting, counselor.....or is it Perry Mason...???

 

Jack McCoy

I apologize to chompi.. and went back to edit the post..

 

this is where the commentary driving proves to be worth its weight in gold. when i did my state road test (my school instructor was 3rd party state certified) we had to do the commentary driving. it really alleviated any stress or jitters.

instant fails are hanging out the window to look at your trailer when backing. you must use the mirrors. stalling the tractor, doing anything unsafe or anything that results in an accident, running over a curb, missing a traffic signal, WATCH for bridge clearances and weight limits, watch your speed limits (run bout 5 miles an hour under the posted limit) running a stop sign (remember to stop BEHIND the line painted on the road. you want to be able to see pavement between your tractor nose and the painted line on the pavement at all intersections from the driving position. excessive gear grinding/missed shifts count against you as well. a missed shift or a small grind is usually ok, but you know what i mean.

remember, if you are doing your pretrip and you remember you forgot a section or a part, you CAN go back and name it to get the credit on the exam. another thing that could get you failed right off the bat is not wearing your seat belt before you start the tractor. i was lucky, the pretrip and backing portions of my CDL exam were conducted on a private lot and we were told that the seat belt was not needed when doing those portions of the test due to using the GOALS (Get Out And Looks). we were told that if the tractor was started for the road test and you were not wearing the belt, that was an instant fail.

we also had to use the push-pull steering method during school and during the test. and the double clutching. be sure you do everything. i know it seems like a lot to take in, but it will be over in about an hour.

 

Right...now I remember, it was a single blow if you needed assistance (if you were clearly not finished) and a double blow when you finished.