RDTC starting school January 28th

I was in Marshfield today. Saw a few students milling about as we left. Was around 1500.


Joe

 

As a matter of fact, there is something... Me!

Nah not really, '07 Freightliner Condo, we were pulling a curtainside.


Joe

 

Correction...I learned today that we do not take any written tests on CDL test day -- just the skills tests (pre-trip and behind-the-wheel etc.). All the written CDL tests required were taken when obtaining the CDL learner's permit. (I'd been under the impression that we'd need to take the written tests again "for real" when we get the actual CDL but that's not the case.) Also we were told today that the first Saturday covers trip planning and the second Saturday is on the Hours of Service (HOS) and related regulations.

As goblue said above, another good and busy day today. Had a lot of snow today but still drove all morning on the range. Tomorrow it's supposed to be back to below zero again....

 

Today we went out on the road. However, I got to sit in the back and watch my two colleagues drive, as my drug test results have not come back yet for reasons unknown. Tomorrow will be four days; other students in the class told me that theirs had come back the next day. Hopefully the testing firm didn't lose them.

 

A nice brisk morning this morning, -8 F with -27 F wind chill. Time for the insulated coveralls and ski mask during the morning pre-trip

 

Whew! My drug test results finally came back from the testing firm at 11:00 today (Friday); got to drive on the roads this afternoon. Went pretty well -- took a couple laps around the rural road loop (practicing left and right turns) and then took the loop through city of Marshfield with downtown traffic. Actually was pretty d##n fun. Feeling much more relaxed now.

Classroom all day tomorrow (Saturday) -- a different instructor comes in (gives our on-the-road instructors Kevin and Dale a break during the weekend) and we're going to learn about trip planning and route planning. Monday morning we start at 06:30 with pre-trip on the tractor, then go out and couple with a van trailer and then do the pre-trip on the whole unit, then more driving until about 14:00 (with a short break for lunch in there). Then after 14:00 we go back out on the range and start to practice the 45-degree backing maneuvers.

CDL road test coming up at the end of next week (Friday of second week); we saw the guys who are currently ending their second week testing today.

 

goblue, technoroom,

Thanks for all the updates. Been following you guys for a couple weeks, and to see all the ins and outs, really helps. Stay warm and good luck with the rest of your training!

Techno,
You were talking about the training for people who already have their CDL? I have my CDL A but no recent (2009) experience. Would I be going through the whole training or just the third week?

Thanks again for all of your information!!

Northtown