New bus driver still in route

Discussion in 'The Welcome Wagon' started by Homeboundhound, Oct 18, 2016.

  1. Homeboundhound

    Homeboundhound Bobtail Member

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    Oct 18, 2016
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    I got hired on at the hound about a month ago. Passed my written test for my permit went down to the bus driving training and passed and have been doing route break in this entire month. I've clocked a lot of hours and a lot of miles so far and I think I'm really going to enjoy being a driver

    But unfortunately it seems like it's not in the cards for me. Last week I took my first attempt at getting my license and failed the pre tip because I got to many marks on mentioning parts. I did the air break test fine. Then they set me up with a retest the next day and I passed the pre tip that time but the bus was deemed inoperable because our low air pressure tire gauge came on as soon as we left the lot so couldn't take the skills test.

    Then that Friday I went on standby and got another test. This time I failed on the parallel parking by hitting the front cone on turning back inside to early.

    Today was my final attempt at it and again I fail on the parallel parking because I signaled that was I done with the skill but my bus wasn't completely within the cones setup which I call bs, I might have been right on the outside cones but definitely within but I wasn't gonna argue it.

    So now I've failed 3 times and have to do the entire process again. I don't wanna give up on it but it seems like this just isn't destined to be. All my instructors say a #### good driver for someone who's never driven a bus or truck before. But I can't even parallel park the #### bus and it frustrates me to high hell

    Do I have to pay all the fees in for California DMV? Or do I only have to pay the retake fee for another written knowledge. Is it like I never had a permit at all now that I've failed 3 times?
     
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  3. brian991219

    brian991219 Road Train Member

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    Lords Valley, PA
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    I do believe you will have to start all over again. Don't give up, I was a cdl third party examiner for a few years, many people get nervous and fail a few times. One suggestion, you may have an easier time passing the skills test in a school bus, it will still give you a class b with passenger and air brake. You could then go back to the hound and learn how to drive coach after giving the school bus company some time for their efforts in getting you your cdl. I started in a school bus, then coach bus before settling into car hauling 20 some odd years ago.
     
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  4. UsualSuspect

    UsualSuspect Road Train Member

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    Yo Mama's
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    Call the Ca DMV Commercial Licensing Division, 916 657 5771, press 5. Keep the number handy, it is the Office the walk-in DMV Offices call when they have questions. There are only 6 employees, all they deal with is Commercial Drivers Licenses and Medicals.
     
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  5. Ke6gwf

    Ke6gwf Medium Load Member

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    Oct 1, 2016
    Napa Valley /Yreka CA
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    So now you have identified your weak spots, so don't give up, practice and prep and do it again!

    (I have been driving for 20 years, including bus, and I STILL suck at parallel parking... Lol)

    Basically, if you enjoy it, spend a little more money, practice the PreTrip and the parallel parking, and get your license.

    Don't think yourself out of it ;)
     
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