New Driver-Kinda-With some questions

Hello Truckers,

I have a few questions to ask and greatly appreciate ALL your answers but first a little bit about myself. I am 41 years old and basically a retired mechanic or i have retired from turning wrenches. About a year and a half ago i closed my auto repair business and started a trucking business. I had no formal training and i have never been to school. I got the CDL manual and studied. I acquired my CDL A. I Bought a Dodge Dually and a 52 foot wedge auto hauler and hauled Florida only. About 4 months later i sold it and bought a 1994 Freightliner FLD120 ten car hauler. I ran a route from Florida to California for about 5 or 6 months. Because of a major mechanical failure and a bad business partner i went under. Thats the brunt of my experience. I have been around and worked on Semi's all my life though. I have spent the last six months with my father and just taking it easy..A much needed break. Ready to get back in the saddle. I am now in Dallas waiting to start orientation for National Carriers. I have a few questions. Maybe e somebody can help me.Onece again i was never formerly trained so some of the questions may seam simple. I had NO accidents or tickets so i believe i am a decent driver but i have a lot to learn and will never stop learning. I am brushing up with a CDL manual as well.Thanks

1. Does anybody know what National Carriers Road test consists off and maybe some DO's and DONTS? Does it consist of a Pre-trip inspection?

2. I never was clear on this but..When turning right off of two lane street onto 4 lane highway which lane should i end up in after turn?

3.On 4 or more lane highways which is the normal lane to drive in?

 

For questions 2 and 4 ...right right right.

When turning left or right you start from the right most legal lane. (on a left turn with 2 left turn lanes you take the right of the 2) You always turn from the right most available lane and end up in the right lane. Failure to end up in right lane invites cars to get on your right side and get hit by your trailer. Keep your trailer with in a foot of the curb so no one can fit. While driving on highway, you should keep to the right unless your passing. If it is a 6 lane (2 lanes each way) and there is a lot of merging traffic the middle may be a better choice. Left is only for passing and if you get out there be sure you can keep up and not slow everyone down. Cars can stay in the left, trucks shouldnt.

 

Okay that clears up the right hand turn and which lane to stay in while driving. As much time as i spent in that right hand lane in California i probably should have known that..lol.. Thank you Richter for the quick response and be safe.

 

1. Road test should consist of a pti, and then driving might put you through a backing test all they're actually doing is making sire you should have a cdl and are safe behind the wheel.
2.right lane is the lane you should end in. Swing out into the left lane if necessary but end in the right lane. Remember them button hook turns from the book?
3.technically you should be in the far right lane. I don't do this on a 3 or 4 lane in one direction. Traffic coming onto the interstate thinks they don't have to yield now days so I'm usually one lane over so 2nd lane from the right or the middle lane depending on the number of lanes. But I also don't obey truck lane restrictions either specially around Omaha. I drive in the hammer lane when I'm not supposed to just to get away from the idiots that slow down the truck lanes.

 

10-4 Guys i appreciate the replies. Im feeling pretty confident about tomorrow. Im glad there is forums like this where we can get some "Real World" advice. Thanks again for your replies. PS..if any of you guys ever have any problems with your 4 wheelers that you need help/advice on then shoot me a message. I have over 20 years experience.

 

I deal with 4 wheelers in my own special way. I carry a gun application on my phone and just unload on them. It works if I would quit running out of ammo. I use it on some truck drivers too. But we appreciate that driver have fun and good luck.

 

4 wheelers merging are a big pain in the ###. I can't count the number of times I've been flipped off because they are too stupid to understand that it is their responsibility to merge safely onto the freeway. Just once I'd love to crush one of them but my clean record means more than sending a message. I don't get the idiots who think 35mph is a safe merging speed.

 

Most mechanics do terrible on pre-trips. They have 3-D minds and don't talk enough about what they are looking for . . . cracks, defects, broken welds, etc. Perhaps make a list of what you would say you are looking for as you 1) walk-up, 2) Engine check, 3) Tires, suspension, brakes, 4) walk-around 5) all lights 6) in-cab check - panel, brake-checks.

Practice backing. Even I get rusty after a while.

Check mirrors on the road; don't run any yellows on a left turn; stay just below the speed limit and watch for any signs, especially overhead heights and warning signs. I always ask the height AFTER we go under the bridge.

Just keep talkin' and you'll do fine.

 

"Most mechanics do terrible on pre-trips. They have 3-D minds and don't talk enough about what they are looking for"

Its funny you say that Gearsplitter. When i took my CDL test i was under the hood saying "Thats good and this is Good and Thats good" Doing my normal check list that ive done in mind under hoods for 20 years. lol The CDL Tester broke in and said "what EXACTLY are you talking bout?" Thanks for the valuable info people.

 

Not to be too argumentative but to say always be in the right lane when turning right (or left even) you might end up in a predicament that you don't want to be in. Each turn is not a one size fits all.