My adventures with Western Pacific Truck School Modesto CA

So orientation went pretty much as expected. Nothing too big or hard. Just more filling out paperwork & going over the layout of the course. Got my first supplies; gloves, pen, pencil, highlighter, calculator, notepad, log book, CDL handbook, and FMCSR(Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations) handbook. Got my first assignment already, read sections 1,2, and 3 in the CDL handbook. I've already read them but I figure reading them again can't hurt lol. Have to be in class at 7a.m. Monday morning, UGH, I'm not a morning person It's ok though, I'm really looking forward to this so getting up early won't be a problem. I'm more worried about being able to take in all the info I need to over the next week in order to pass my permit test next Thursday.

 

yeah I have a feeling its going to be a looooong week lol

 

Got up today at 5:50a.m. I was slow getting going but made it to class on time. First time I've been up before the sun in a LONG time lol.

The day started out with an hour long presentation from the CHP CIEP (Commercial Industry Education Program) Liaison. He was just there to tell us what the CHP looks for and expects from commercial drivers, procedures for scales/inspections, as well as to answer any questions we might have for him. Nice guy.

Then pretty much the rest of the day was spent reading the CDL handbook and highlighting things that are going to be asked on the tests at the DMV. Our instructor seems pretty cool. He's been in the industry for over 30 years and seems really knowledgeable so no complaints there. He tells us the book way of doing things as well as the real world way of doing things, they aren't always the same. He makes alot of jokes , not so many that we fall behind but enough to make the class not quite so boring.

So far I am pretty happy with this school. The office staff has been extremely helpful and the instructors that I have talked to seem to know what they are doing.

 

So day 2 in the classroom was pretty much the same as day 1. Spent most of the day reading and highlighting the cdl handbook. Got thru the air brakes,combination vehicles, and transporting cargo sections. Learning alot but I think I'm absorbing most of it. Day 3 in the classroom is practice tests then going over doubles tripled tank and hazmat.

 

Well we started off the day by taking practice tests for the general knowledge, air brakes, and cargo. I did really good so the information must be sinking in lol. Then we studied & highlighted the CDL book some more and then took a couple more tests, doubles/triples and tanks. Did great on those tests too. After that we went over hazmat. Tomorrow morning we take the hazmat test & then the final exam before we head to the DMV to take all the tests for real. I know thats not gonna be fun, I have to take 8 freekin tests general, cargo, air brakes, combination vehicles, dbls/trips, tanks, hazmat, and I think I'll have to take the class C and M1 tests too Oh well wish me luck! lol I guess I should get to studying.

 

So today we started class by taking the final exam ad guess what? Out of 75 questions I missed...............NONE ZIP ZERO NADA!!!!! WOOHOO We also took the hazmat and a couple other tests, I did great on those too. After that it was off to the DMV for permit tests. Well after 3 LOOOONG hours at the DMV I walked out with my Class A CDL permit with ALL endorsements!



I am stoked! Thats such a weight lifted off my shoulders. I just knew I was going to mess up something but I did good. I think everyone in my class passed & got their permits today. Our instructor is definitely a very good one.

Tomorrow in class we start in on doing log books. I'm looking forward to finally getting behind the wheel of a truck next week.

 

So today we spent some time filling out practice logs. Then our instructor gave us a sorta practice test that we were supposed to log. Basically a trip from Modesto to Bakersfield and back to Modesto. By the time we were finished with the log stuff I think I pretty much had it down. I thought the whole log book thing was going to be tougher but it came pretty easily for me. After we finished doing log stuff we went over a few more things and then we signed the last of the classroom paperwork and he told us our overall class score. Whose the only one in the class who got a 100%??? Yup thats right ME! LOL. Everyone in my class scored like a 94% or better so everyone did good, I think thats a sign of how good our instructor was. Anyways that was it for the classroom stuff. Next week I start my time out on the range. Finally getting behind the wheel, I can't wait!