Is a road test standard when hiring on at a new comany?

As others have said, yes even us drivers that have been driving for decades have to do a quick road test. It’s required by the DOT and/or insurance companies. It’s usually just around the block and back the truck in when returning to the yard. Some companies will have a new employee make a local delivery or two with a current driver.

No worries and no need to be nervous. They know you’re new and will be very forgiving. Just treat any fo-pa’s as a learning experience.

 

While a road test is no longer required by §391.31, most employers will still require a road test. If you kill someone out on the road and the employer didn't verify in person that you could safely operate a like-type CMV, the lawyers would eat them alive in court.

We road test every new hire, preferably in the truck they will be assigned.

 

I start training Monday for a part time local driving job. I just got my cdl and have never driven anything bigger than the day cab with a 28ft equipment trailer I used for my test, no school. They are holding off on a road test until I finish 4-6 weeks of training.

 

Need to learn how to do it before you can be tested to see if you can do it.

 

That is what mine was like.

But it was during rush hour, and the turn back on to the street of the terminal was a narrow 2 lane so both lanes were needed to make it without running over the curb.
Running over the curb would be an automatic fail. There is no forgiveness, and you are given no advice during the test.

I sat there for a good 10 minutes, holding up all the traffic in my lane, until I had a clear spot when I could make the turn safely.
After the test the instructor told me that waiting was the right thing to do. Many drivers failed the test when they got impatient and tried to make that turn without the proper clearance.
Those drivers were sent home.