Passed my CDL skills / road test today AND learned something important . . .

So after three months of CDL class and many more months before that researching and waiting for this day to get here I finally took my skills and road test today and passed. So once I get over to the DMV and pay the fee I'll officially have my CDL-A license.

I also realized something really important today as well and that is this is just the beginning and certainly not the end. Frankly I found the test itself to be nerve wracking. While I turned in a passable performance and returned myself, the tester and the truck to the yard w/ out having an accident or ending up in a ditch it was obvious I need more practice shifting, and lane keeping and watching the mirrors, etc., etc. Frankly I'm not sure I would have passed me and at the end of the test I found myself thinking, "Jeeze, I'm glad I don't have to do that again!"

I know much of this will get better w/ practice and seat time that comes from doing the job but now I'm wondering about the things that I don't know that I don't know? I want to be a good professional truck driver and not just some yahoo that mindlessly drives a truck. So what I'm looking for is wisdom or suggestions from people who have been doing this a little while and can look back and say, "I wish I had known then what I know now when I was starting out in my first year".

 

LOL! Thanks man, I needed that, and yes this forum has been an invaluable resource!

I guess the biggest thing is I feel like even though we were tout enough to pass the test we didn't get really enough seat time on the road. I just don't like that "fish out of water" feeling but I guess that will diminish over time.

 

I have applications is w/ Superior Bulk and Tidewater Transit on the tanker side. Talked to the Pasadena,TX TM for Superior and an HR rep for Tidewater and both pretty much said everything looked good on my apps and to get back to them once I finished class and got my license and completion certificate and also the endorsements for tanker and hazmat. Looking at going to test for those next week.

I also applied w/ Freymiller and Crete just as a back up. Talked to recruiters from both who also said to get back to them once I got my license.

 

Yep, in Houston. I pay a lot more attention these days to the names on the sides of trucks and then I research them later to see who's hiring?

And yeah, I'd never take a local gig here, sitting in Houston traffic all day w/ a big truck seems like a special kind of torture!