Swift Written & Road Test

It isn't difficult and it covers the basic things you learn in training.

 

This isn't rocket science.

 

Ok lol thanks...I just asked cause I'm not good with written tests..but appreciate the advice

 

Are you better with the road test?

In a written test you have some time to consider the answer, or choose what you think might be best.
You can take your time.

A road test is in real time and there is no room for much of anything.
Do, or do not... there is no try.

 

Yea I'm good on the road test that'll be no problem at all...I was just wondering what all the written covered

 

You should have a study guide from orientation. Study that. Know it by heart.

The written test changed from when I went through training to when I started mentoring. My test included a series of questions based on trip plans using the Rand McNally atlas, but that part was eliminated when my trainees took the test. It's been a year since I left Swift, so the test may have changed again. Your study guide should be your source of information.

 

There will be a handbook, it will have the relevant Macros to rember, 0-9, 22,32,34,52,55, and 59 off the top of my head. Rember those.

The rest is a sample trip plan and some basic questions. Don't know if they still test on "SIPDE" and "SWIFT" decision driving, but both are in the handbook, just be familure with those.

My students don't tend to study much, despite my repeated quizing and telling them too. And only one has ever failed, but he was a hopeless case put out for an additional 100hrs, I was his 4th mentor.

Road test is easy. Mine started bobtail, I hooked up, drove 40 minutes parked the trailer where I found it, and then parked the bobtail. Took the written and they immediately sent me to get a truck.

 

While I do miss teaching, getting the student from Hades I don't miss. Jeesh! 4th mentor AND assigned an additional 100 hours behind the wheel? I feel for you.

I thought I had it bad with the trainee that could only average 375 miles with nothing to do but drive for the day. Interestingly enough he failed his written test, even though we sat for a week in a hotel room when the truck broke down and he studied every day.

Some folks aren't cut out for this industry.

 

Haven't had any with that severe of endurance issues, but a week to study and failed the written, that's bad.


The more interesting thing about this particular 300 hr case, he said he had actually worked for Willis Shaw before. And when he told me that I'm thinking (this will be easy.)

But there was a 20-30 year hiatus and many years of drugs and alcohol between that experience and ending up in my truck. The first mentor threw him off when he had problems shifting. The second when he figured out the guys glasses were worthless and he was blind as a bat. The third got him to 200, but apparently he never actually backed the truck for a good 120hrs.

While he was a nightmare, he also got a raw deal in his training, which is why he ended up with me. He could hold a steering wheel, 1/4 the time he'd back in a spot perfect, the rest its like he lost all coordination. He couldn't use the QC to save his life, and while I was quizzing him he'd rember about half of it.

He may very well have drove before but it got burned out of him for sure.

That being said, I tried real hard with him and he tried real hard back.


The student I absolutely wanted to write up the BOL for and deliver to a teaching hospital, was from Chicago. He thought "he knew how to drive."

 

Lol.