Orientation Road Tests ( hitting curb )

There are some that are very strict about their road test and some that aren't as bad. I was walked from a company after what I thought was a great test, but I was caught in a pink light and I blew it. I have also heard of people getting bounced for over revving, not being able to shift/accelerate uphill on a freeway onramp, curb contact, incorrect left and right turns (not allowing for off tracking or errant cars), no turn signals and failure to stop behind stop signs and crosswalks. If you're out with a truck, these can all lead to potentially bad situations. Obviously, you don't want to roll backward on an uphill onramp when traffic behind you expects you to hit 50 MPH rapidly. I have a steep onramp I have to climb every day to get on I-70. Even if you know what you're doing, it's still a b#### and a 1/2.

Carriers do understand that new drivers are bound to make mistakes, but it still doesn't go over well when you go 'oops' in a $120K tractor. Make it worse if your 'oops' involves damage to freight, property and cars. Semis are destructive even at low speeds. They're also easy to wreck.

I hope things go better at USX. Are you able to get a quick refresher at your school? They may have some deal where you can go off with an instructor for a couple of hours and brush up before you leave for the next orientation. Best of luck.

 

Don't hit curbs then you won't have anything to worry about.Hitting a curb can do some serious damage to tires which can be a costly mistake.If it was from turning,you need to plan your turns ahead of time .When you make a right turn you swing wide and make sure no cars are right up beside you while making the turn..Keep an eye on your back tires so that they clear the curb.Yes all companies have the same policy.I think if you barely clip a curb you might be alright.But if you hit that poor defenseless curb that didn't have a chance,then I would say yes you fail.I mean think about it,would you want someone driving for you who constantly hit curbs and having to pay for yet another new tire?

 

^^ your right on how to do the right turn took the words right out of my mouth.. also if you don't have enough room to make the turn..steal a lane an use that space.. out in LA its almost impossible not to hit a curb making a right hand turn those streets are so narrow, an the traffic stopped pulls right to the line on a 2 lane.

 

I know what I did wrong. I entered the turn correctly like I was taught ( it was a seperate right turn lane with a yield sign ). I was taught, that when coming out from the right turn lane, you continue out forward and turn just before you get to the median, and then go back into you're lane. I did not go all the way out to the median before I turned because like I said, not driving for almost 4 months, I'm going to make mistakes, I'm not going to go out and do everything the same way a veteran driver does.
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Hold on.. Lets visualize what you just described..your setup with a right turn lane.

You occupy the turn lane, and continue out to median, then make your turn.

Im assuming your setup is making a right turn into two lanes of traffic traveling in same direction?

Even in that scenario..straddle your lanes, setup so that your truck and trailer are 3-4 feet from the edge of the road/curb to your right..far enough away so that you can make your turn but close enough a car can't squeeze between you and edge of road.

Now you don't have to goto the median before you make your turn..and if your setup correctly 4 wheelers can't squeeze into your left either..this gives you the ability to swing the tractor left and then turn back right while moving forward..allowing your tandems to clear the curb..(watch out for motorcycles slipping in next to you though).

Whatever direction you turn your going to occupy 3 lanes of traffic..

The 1 you're in, and 2 in the direction your turning.

(If you can't visualize the turn, or find real world practice) Goto Dollar General and buy a small tractor trailer, draw streets on a piece of paper and practice making your turns, left/right, your setups..practice backing into docks by drawing straight lines then doing a correct setup.

I taught my 5 year old grandson how to set up and back with a toy truck..Lil brat tries to tell me how to do it now! And he's a CB hog

Good luck.. You'll figure it out

 

After orientation, 6 weeks with a trainer and finally taking my road test to upgrade to a first seat driver...

I made a correction mid-turn to keep from the tandems touching a paint stripe! And then again for a curb. I guess it proved I was watching everything I needed to be watching since I got the job.

Good luck on your next try. A phrase we were taught, "speed is not your friend" whether testing or after...

Mikeeee

 

Where you messed up at was after you hit the curb, you should of told the instructor that you realize that your tire hit the curb, but there was a nail on the side of your tire that you were trying to knock free.

 

if you have no experience the company you sign on with make sure your recruiter no that you have no experience so they can flag your application correctly. most companies if you make sure they know that you have no experience they will not require you to do a road test. sometime the company will give you road test to determine how much time you will need with a trainer. after you do your pre-trip and before you move that truck talk to the person who is giving you the road test. make sure you talk with kindness (without attitude) because you are trying to get what they got a JOB. tell the person that its been a while since you were out of school. and you have no experience. make sure the information that the information he/she has in front of them say you will be going out to train not get your own truck. they will tell you what they are expecting before you move the truck. i know this because i did the same thing you did but i got my license in 2008 i did not step foot in truck again til 2010 i had to go thru 2 companies to land at the 3rd to give me what i needed. with 3rd company i had to do road test but it was just to tell how long i had to be with trainer. but just make sure they are bringing you in as a trainee before you get on bus. if they send you email telling you got the job as trainee print that off and take it with you. the best thing you can do is ask questions before you get on bus and when you get there off bus. if you have doubt ask. no question is a stupid question. it may take a minute before you land at the right company hang in there

 

You know that is one of the many things that trips up a lot of newbies.. schools can, will and do accept students and take their money, even though they know the student will find it difficult to impossible to get hired.. for their age, as in your case, and for other things..