Need tips on CDL Road Test (not skillr or pre-trip)

Illinois is the worst in the USA. NJ isn't far behind. They don't make much money because they're not very smart people. Give them a uniform and some power and they feel like they're the king of the world. It's the only time they have any control over other people, so they love to fail people just because they have that power.
Get your cdl and travel the USA in the truck.

 

It's not just CDL examiners, its government workers in general. Most hate their job and have no incentive to be nice. In the private sector there is competition and if you act like a ### you'll loose business, there is no such incentive in government.

Back when I got my CDL. I went with a third party examiner. He tried really hard to help me pass because I was paying him good money to do so.

I don't think they even allow third party examiners anymore, at least not in TN.

 

Florida does at certain schools. A few more states at select schools.

 

You also want to give a play by play of everything you see, everything you are doing. Same as when you do the pretrip inspection and name every part on the tractor and trailer. You need to name every mile marker, every speed limit sign, the weight limit of the bridge you are crossing and how that matters to you in your class A vehicle... You do that until the inspector tells you to stop.

Here in Texas, that's like 4 points. Don't know about there where you are.

 

Is the no shifting in intersections true for company road tests as well?

 

This may have been said but im too lazy to read the entire thread to find out.But 2 things you DO NOT wanna do is shift on tracks and coast more then a trailer length.Here that's an automatic fail.

 

I don't know but I'd do it anyway.

Once you get out on the road, almost everybody shifts through intersections.

 

Some of these intersections are a mile wide. Why go through a wide intersection at 5 mph when loaded heavy is beyond me.

But follow the rules during the road test. That isn't a game to be playing with.

 

Railroad tracks are a getcha, don't hang trailer across them behind your tractor if stopping near them. When crossing the tracks, I believe it's required to have power on your drive at all times, if your engine should stall the starter is your fall back plan with it in gear to get off the track. Less common with computer engines these days.

Do not fake the clutch and don't float. You will be ok.

Government employees are sometimes mean, they get that way sometimes in life when life is not fulfilling to them. You probably will be the 10,000th soul to meet them and easily forgotten unless you did a boo boo.

My enaminer in Maryland (Glen Burnie) rejoiced in taking me through a solid series of construction trying not to rub walls. Over the years Ive found the walls useful for getting the trailer in line a time or two.

The school and license exam are rites of passage. Your REAL education will begin your first load and the first three months will decide if you have a future in trucking.

Good luck.